Measure the dimensions of the compact disc case you will be using to hold your burned CD if you plan on creating a physical copy of your mix tape. If you are planning to distribute your mix tape using only Internet services, find the uploading requirements for mix-tape cover art and images.
Open your preferred image creation software on your computer and create a new document matching the dimensions you measured. Programs such as Photoshop, GIMP and Corel DRAW offer a variety of painting and image manipulation tools that you can use to create professional cover art.
Create a title or name for your mix tape. Treat this title very much like an album title. A catchy, appealing name will draw in potential audience members. For a simplistic, effective design, create a solid background color for your mix-tape cover and add the title in large, unique lettering.
Add your artist moniker and the names of all collaborating artists to the mix-tape cover. In keeping with the simplistic design scheme, include this information on the lower half of the cover. Varying font sizes, types and colors can help add variety and character to the cover.
Create or purchase an image that best represents your music's style and character. Consider this image your logo. Audience members will associate your music and your stage presence with this image. If you do not wish to create your own image, websites such as iStock Photo, Deviant Art and Big Stock sell images for use.
Save your image as a commonly accepted file format such as .JPEG or .TIFF if you plan on uploading the art online. If you are creating a CD version of your mix tape, print the image and carefully cut it out, ensuring that the final product slips easily inside the CD case.