Sketchbooks are full of creativity once you open them and start dreaming of what will fill the pages. Why not make the cover an artistic wonderland too?
Here are 15 fun and creative ideas for decorating the cover of your sketchbook!
1. Abstract Acrylic Painting Creation
A beautiful abstract painting can be such a fun way to bring some life to your sketchbook.
If your sketchbook has a flimsy, paper cover, I suggest making your painting on a separate piece of paint-specific paper and gluing it to the front of your sketchbook.
2. Botanical Illustrations
I have always loved drawing flowers! As you can see from my art, they are one of the things that I gravitate towards during an art session. Try drawing some beautiful flowers to welcome you everytime you grab your sketchbook!

3. As-You-Go Doodles
Paste a blank piece of paper to the front of your sketchbook and doodle on it whenever you feel like it! This turns the front of your sketchbook into an ever growing piece of art, which can be really fun!
4. Fabric-Wrapped Sketchbook Cover
There are SO many cute fabrics out there! Head to the fabric store or grab some scrap fabric. Once you’ve wrapped your sketchbook in it, you’ll not only have a beautiful pattern to look at, but a soft cover that adds a nice sensory experience.
5. Your Favorite Quote
Be inspired by your favorite quote every time you grab your sketchbook! Lettering can be such a fun and beautiful way to make your sketchbook unique.
6. Stamp and Stencil Patterns
When I was a kid, one of my favorite things was to dive into my mom’s big box of stamps. I just loved all of the cute characters, patterns, and designs. If you have a similar box of stamps, use them to create an adorable sketchbook cover!
7. Patterns with Geometric Shapes
Let’s go back to basics with awesome shapes! There are so many cool designs you can make with triangles, squares, circles, and more!
8. Mandala Art
I love drawing mandalas! They are so fun to make and often end in beautiful results! A mandala can be a beautiful way to add a unique flair to your sketchbook.
9. Magazine Collage
I used to love grabbing an old stack of magazines and tearing them up to make a collage. If you create a fun collage filled with images you love, this can be such a fun way to make your sketchbook your own.
10. Washi Tape Design
Washi tape is something that I always get starry-eyed over, but I still need to dive into everything I can make with it! Thinking about sketchbook covers, I think that washi tape could make something really cool!
11. Comic Strip
Either design your own comic strip, or make a collage from your favorite Sunday morning funnies! I love a good comic, so if you’re like me, this is something that could make you smile whenever you grab your sketchbook.
12. Dried Flower Collage
Dried flowers could be a beautiful addition to a sketchbook cover! Be mindful that you don’t add too many and weight down your sketchbook. Also, if you often put your sketchbook in a bag, be sure to secure your flowers really well so that they don’t fall off.
13. Paint Splatter Design
Doing a paint splatter design is so messy, yet satisfying! If you go this route, you may want to do your paint splatter on a different piece of paper and glue it to your sketchbook so that the rest of your sketchbook doesn’t get messy.
14. Chalkboard Paint Cover
Chalkboard paint turns your surface into a chalkboard! I’m not personally a fan of chalkboards, but it could be cool if you want to turn your sketchbook into your very own chalkboard! Keep in mind how messy chalk can be!
15. Galaxy-Themed Design with Glow in the Dark Paint
On the theme of special paint, don’t forget about glow in the dark paint! This could be used to make a neat galaxy-themed design. And, hey, it will make it easier to find your sketchbook in the dark!
While your sketchbook is a wonderland of creativity and potential, think of the outside of your sketchbook as a place full of artistic fun too! I hope these sketchbook cover designs have given you some ideas to work from!

Diana has been an artist for over 27 years and has training in drawing, painting, digital drawing and graphic design. Diana’s latest obsession is digitally drawing with Procreate and Procreate Dreams. Diana has experience selling her art across a number of platforms and loves helping other artists learn how to make money from their art as well.