Artwork is one of the most important parts of your music release. Streaming platforms review cover art carefully before approving a release.

If your artwork does not meet guidelines, your release may be delayed or rejected on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music.

Basic artwork requirements:

* Minimum size of 3000 x 3000 pixels
* Square format (1:1 ratio)
* High resolution JPEG
* RGB color mode
* No blurry or pixelated images

What is not allowed in cover art:

* Social media handles or website links
* Contact information like phone numbers or emails
* Platform logos such as Spotify or Apple Music
* Pricing or promotional text like “Out Now”
* Explicit content without proper marking
* Copyrighted images without permission

Your artwork should clearly display:

* Artist name
* Release title
* Clean and professional design

Avoid misleading or false information. The artist name on the artwork must match the metadata exactly.

Why artwork gets rejected:

* Low resolution
* Mismatch between metadata and cover text
* Use of brand names or logos
* Poor image quality
* Unauthorized copyrighted images

How DireNote Media helps:

DireNote Media reviews your artwork before delivering your release to platforms. Our team checks for guideline compliance to reduce rejection risk.

If your artwork needs corrections, we guide you on what to fix so your release can go live smoothly.

Professional cover art improves credibility, increases click-through rate, and strengthens your brand image across streaming platforms.

Always make sure your artwork is clean, compliant, and consistent with your artist branding before submission.