A book cover design is something you can’t imagine the publishing process without. Unlike traditional publishing, indie authors have several options to get one, which differ in price.
Today, we want to answer the question: How much does it cost to design a book cover in 2024? We’ll talk about DIY, professional book cover design services, and premades. Let’s get started.
What factors influence book cover design cost?
While surfing the Internet and scrolling through the pages with book cover design services, we come across various prices. What do they depend on?
- Designer’s experience. The level of experience and expertise can affect the cost. Highly skilled and experienced designers typically charge higher fees for their services.
- Book cover type. An illustrated cover that an artist draws from scratch requires more time and effort so it will cost more. Custom book cover designs consisting of photo stock images usually have a more favorable price.
- Design complexity. Minimalistic or typography-based covers that include a small number of details are cheaper than ornate and complex compositions. The use of 3D modeling and heavy photo manipulations are also paid higher.
- Deadline. Rush jobs or projects with tight deadlines may require additional costs due to the need for expedited work.
- Designer’s location. Costs may vary depending on the geographical location of the designer, as living expenses and market demand differ from region to region. For example, designer services in the USA are more expensive than in Eastern Europe.
- Number of revisions. Some designers offer unlimited revisions, but others have a fixed number of free changes, while all others are subject to an additional fee. This can ultimately affect the final amount for the project.
By knowing these factors, you can consider your needs in book cover design and understand what budget suits you.
Should I save money on book cover design?
However, should you immediately close the tab with high prices for book cover design services? In fact, there are several reasons why you shouldn’t skimp on this vital part of your book publishing process.
- The cover is the first thing readers see, and it forms their initial impression of the book. A visually appealing design can grab their attention and encourage them to pick up the novel.
- The cover serves as a powerful marketing tool. It communicates the genre, tone, and content, helping readers quickly assess whether it aligns with their interests. Cutting costs may compromise the design’s quality, affecting the book’s marketability.
- A professionally designed cover signals to readers that the book is high quality and worth their attention. Saving money on design may result in an amateurish cover, potentially detracting from the book’s credibility.
- While saving money upfront might seem appealing, investing in a high-quality cover can pay off in the long run through increased book sales and reader engagement.
Moreover, paying more for professional book cover design services is a way to protect yourself and avoid potential legal issues. Experienced creators and companies use only licensed images and fonts. Cheaper amateurs may simply not yet know all the intricacies of working in this sphere and accidentally use an inappropriate image.
How much does a book cover design cost?
- DIY book cover design – $0-$262
- Book cover design by freelancer – $15-$100
- Book cover design by a company – $300-700, or even up to $2,000.
- Premade book cover design – $100-$150.
Now let’s review each type of book cover design and its cost in more detail.
DIY book cover design cost
Let’s move on to book cover design prices and start with the cheapest way. It’s creating your cover using DIY tools or graphic editors if you have the necessary skills.
Keep in mind that here, you not only need to combine images and typography in one composition. Before starting the design process, you should do research and analyze your genre market to find out what works best for your book.
If you opt for using DIY tools, check out some popular options:
- Canva (free)
- Visme (free)
- Blurb BookWright (free)
- Placeit (free, $9.99/month)
- PosterMyWall (free, $9.95/month)
Those who plan to design their book covers in graphic editors should be aware of the most popular software prices:
- Adobe Photoshop or Adobe InDesign (from $22.99/month)
- Affinity Publisher ($69.99/one-time purchase)
- QuarkXPress ($233/year).
However, you also need materials for creativity, such as high-quality stock images. Shutterstock is one of the most popular platforms for this purpose. Their All-in-one subscription starts at $29 monthly (equivalent to 10 credits, where one credit equals one image). Remember, typically, one book cover requires 3 or 4 images.
So, the DIY book cover design cost can account for $0-$262.
What is the price for freelance book cover designer services?
According to a recent survey by Written Word Media, over 50% of indie authors hire professional book cover designers. It’s an excellent idea, and here is why.
Pros boast the necessary skills and knowledge, allowing them to create marketable and eye-catching book covers. They know what works for your genre and how to motivate your audience to buy your novel with specific visual elements.
If you are unsure how to choose the best artist, read our blog post about 10 things to expect from a book cover design.
But, where to find freelance cover creators? You can check the following platforms:
Today, you can also shout out that you’re looking for a book cover on your social media pages or serf through Facebook groups, like Book Cover Design Marketplace or Indie Book Cover Designs for Authors.
The price for freelance book cover designer services mostly ranges from $15 to $100.
What is the book cover design company cost?
Another option to hire a pro is to turn to a book cover design company. Such an organization boasts an in-house team of artists. So, you don’t need to spend time scrolling the Internet pages to find the best specialist.
Focused solely on book art, book cover design companies possess an acute understanding of what resonates within specific genres of the book market. They also offer various extra services, like book formatting, logo design, and marketing materials. You can get everything you need in one place.
Let’s overview a few popular book cover design companies and their prices.
Ebook Launch
Ebook Launch is a family-owned business based in British Columbia, Canada. It was started in 2011 by John Low and Dane Low. They’re part of the Alliance of Independent Authors and have won many awards for their eBook cover designs.
What are their features?
- The first concept is delivered within 14 days
- Unlimited changes
- Free mockups for marketing
- 100% money-back guarantee
What are their prices?
- Custom ebook cover design – $497
- Ebook & print cover design – $595
- Premade book cover design – $99
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Book cover design by Ebook Launch
Damonza
Damonza was started by Damon Freeman in 2012. It’s situated in Orewa, Auckland, New Zealand. The team consists of skilled book cover designers with more than thirty-five years of combined experience.
What are their features?
- The first drafts are ready within 14 days
- A rendered 3D version of the cover to use for marketing
- Unlimited changes
What are their prices?
- Standard front cover package – from $645
- Premium front cover package – from $1645
- Budget from cover package – from $395
- Text-only front cover package – from $175
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Book cover design by Damonza
Raven Book Design
Founded in 1995 by Fiona Raven in Vancouver, British Columbia, Raven Book Design joined forces with Linda Parke in 2007. Together, they’ve helped numerous indie authors worldwide with over 200 projects across various genres, offering expert advice for memoirs, novels, and scientific journals alike.
What are their features?
- A free 30-minute consultation
- 50% deposit
- The first rough designs are ready within 2-3 weeks
What are their prices?
- Paperback or hardcover with printed case wrap – from $2,086
- Hardcover with printed case wrap and dustjacket – $2,650
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Book cover design by Raven Book Design
JD&J
JD&J knows that a book cover is more than just a front page. Their experienced designers are committed to crafting attractive covers that captivate readers, leave a lasting impact, and boost book sales.
What are their features?
- The first draft is ready within 7-14 days, depending on the package
- Promotional mockups
- Unlimited revisions
- Free barcodes
What are their prices?
- Professional package – $350, ebook cover only – $295
- Premier package – $550, ebook cover only – $495
- Platinum package – $650, ebook cover only – $595
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Book cover design by JD&J
Bookfly Design
Bookfly Design is a small company located on the Oregon coast. It was started to help self-published authors with top-notch book design services. James T. Egan, with around 12 years of experience in print, book design, and advertising, is the person behind creating the covers.
What are their features?
- Up to five rounds of revisions
- 3D images for marketing
- Barcode generation
What are their prices?
- Ebook cover design – $649
- Print book cover design – $799
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Book cover design by Bookfly Design
Thus, an average book cover design price is $300-$700, but it can go up to $2,000 or higher, depending on the company.
How much does a premade book cover cost?
Opting for a premade cover is a wise choice to save money while still getting a professional book cover. These covers are created to meet genre and market standards. Plus, you get to see the final design immediately and can request changes from the designer if needed. Typically, minimal revisions don’t require extra cost.
Where to buy premade covers?
The typical price for premade covers is $100-$150.
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Premade cover design by Getpremades
Summing up
Each book cover design option has pros and cons. Using DIY tools is the cheapest, but it takes a lot of time and effort. You’ll need to analyze your genre and audience carefully to make it appealing to readers. On the other hand, hiring a professional designer can be costly, but it ensures that your cover meets reader expectations and grabs attention.
Which option do you usually choose? Share with us in the comments.
