diff --git a/output/cover.pdf b/output/cover.pdf
index 4446cd0..8fee85f 100644
Binary files a/output/cover.pdf and b/output/cover.pdf differ
diff --git a/templates/cover.html b/templates/cover.html
index e667367..929ce4d 100644
--- a/templates/cover.html
+++ b/templates/cover.html
@@ -304,6 +304,10 @@
       width: 100%;
       height: 100%;
       background:
+        /* centre scrim: ensures title/subtitle contrast over any artwork */
+        radial-gradient(ellipse 88% 58% at 50% 50%,
+          rgba(6, 6, 24, 0.62) 0%,
+          transparent 65%),
         /* deep vignette around all edges */
         radial-gradient(ellipse 90% 90% at 50% 50%,
           transparent 20%,
@@ -346,7 +350,8 @@
       text-shadow:
         0 0 0.22in rgba(184,154,78,0.6),
         0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,1),
-        0 4px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.9);
+        0 4px 24px rgba(0,0,0,1),
+        0 8px 48px rgba(0,0,0,1);
       letter-spacing: 0.01em;
     }