Author Services

Picture Book Cover Design Guide

A complete, print-ready cover: front, back and spine, built to your printer’s exact specs. When I hand it back, it’s totally done.

$750

Only need the front cover designed? See Front Cover Design.

What’s Included

You get a finished wraparound cover you can upload straight to your printer.

  • Front cover typography and composition, designed for your book
  • Back cover layout with your description, barcode and price
  • Spine design with title, names and publisher
  • Cover templates built to your printer’s specs, including spine width for your page count
  • Up to three versions, such as an offset print file, a KDP paperback and an IngramSpark paperback
  • Print-ready PDF files in CMYK, plus RGB images for sharing online
  • Commercially licensed font options to choose from
  • Barcode generated and placed from your ISBN and price

How It Works

Most projects take no more than 14 days from your start date to final files.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Drafts. I’ll send draft designs for your review.
  4. Edits. Send all edits together in one email or Word document. We repeat this until you love it, with unlimited edits before final approval.
  5. Final files. Once you approve the design in writing, I’ll share your final files in a Dropbox folder.
Quick, decisive feedback keeps your project moving. A few days without a reply can slow your timeline.

What I Need Before We Begin

Please send every item below before your start date.

Your Artwork

  • Front and back cover artwork (or one wraparound image), CMYK, 300 DPI minimum
  • Layered Photoshop files (PSDs) strongly preferred
  • Your barcode, if you already have one

Your Details

  • Book title and subtitle, if any
  • Author and illustrator names exactly as they should appear
  • Back cover text, final and edited
  • ISBN numbers and pricing for each format
  • Spine text: last names, title and publisher
  • Final page count, trim size and paper type (for spine width)
  • Which printers and formats you need; for offset printing, your printer’s cover template
  • 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

  1. Cover Art — front, back or wraparound artwork, plus barcode if you have one
  2. Text — title, names, back cover text, ISBNs, prices and spine text in one Word document
  3. Printer Specs — page count, trim size, paper type and any printer templates
  4. 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

  • Your text is placed exactly as sent. Please have your back cover copy edited first; you approve the cover before print.
  • 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.
Ready? Book Your Spot →

Questions first? Email Katie@ALittleOffbeat.com