Author Services
Front Cover Design Guide
I design your front cover right inside your illustration file, so the hardest creative part is done. You get it back to finish into a print-ready cover yourself.
$500
Want a complete, print-ready cover instead? See Picture Book Cover Design.
What’s Included
This is the creative design work: deciding exactly how your front cover will look and building it into your artwork.
- Custom title and subtitle typography designed for your book
- Commercially licensed font options to choose from
- Composition adjustments so your title and art work together (moving, resizing or extending art elements as needed)
- Author and illustrator names placed and styled
- Your layered Photoshop file returned with the front cover design built in
- A high-resolution flattened image of the finished front cover
- A list of the fonts used, with where to license them
How It Works
Most projects take no more than 14 days from your start date to final files.
- Reserve your spot. The date you book is when I begin work on your project. The time you book is our Zoom call to review your files and talk through your ideas.
- Send your files. Everything on the checklist below must arrive before your start date. Late materials may move your start to my next open window.
- Drafts. I’ll send draft designs for your review.
- Edits. Send all edits together in one email or Word document. We repeat this until you love it, with unlimited edits before final approval.
- Final files. Once you approve the design in writing, I’ll share your layered design file, flattened cover image and font list in a Dropbox folder.
What I Need Before We Begin
Please send every item below before your start date.
Your Artwork
- Your front cover illustration, CMYK, 300 DPI minimum
- Layered Photoshop file (PSD) strongly preferred, so text and art can be adjusted separately
- Art sized to your trim size, with bleed if you know your printer’s requirements
Your Details
- Book title and subtitle, if any
- Author and illustrator names exactly as they should appear
- Your trim size and printer, if you know them
- Covers you love, inspiration and any design requests
How to Send Your Files
Share everything in one folder or link, sent to Katie@ALittleOffbeat.com before your start date. Illustration files are too large for email attachments.
- Google Drive or Dropbox (preferred): one folder for your book, shared with download access.
- WeTransfer: all files in one transfer. Links expire, so send it within a week of your start date.
Organize Your Folder Like This
- Cover Art — your front cover illustration file(s)
- Details — title, names and trim size in one document
- Inspiration — covers you love and any notes
I’ll confirm by email once I’ve downloaded everything.
Booking & Deposit Policy
When you book, you’re reserving one of a very limited number of design spots on my calendar. I take on just two full book design projects each month, so a booking holds a big piece of my month for your book, and I turn other authors away for that time.
Because of that, and because this work is my income, deposits are nonrefundable. Your deposit isn’t only payment toward your finished project; it also secures my schedule for you, so no one else can take that spot.
I so appreciate you understanding, and I can’t wait to work on your book!
Good to Know
- Final print setup is yours. You (or another designer) will complete the back cover, spine, barcode and your printer’s requirements.
- Fonts must be licensed for commercial use. I’ll suggest options; paid font licenses are yours to purchase.
- Edits are unlimited before final approval. Edits after final files are delivered are $50.
- Major changes cost extra. Changing trim size or other major specs after work begins adds a fee.
- Image rights are yours to secure for any photos or images you provide.
Questions first? Email Katie@ALittleOffbeat.com