theBookDesigners

Book design, pricing, and how we work.

Book Design

Covers and interiors that work together.

Book Cover Design: We design custom covers around your book, audience, and publishing goals. We review your brief, supplied material, and comparable titles, then present concepts and refine your chosen direction. View our cover designs.
Interior Design & Layout: From straightforward text to illustrated books, we create clear, readable interiors with consistent typography and thoughtful image placement. We develop sample pages for your approval before laying out the full book. View our interiors.

Print & Digital

Files prepared for the way you publish.

Print File Preparation: We prepare your approved cover and interior files to your chosen printer’s specifications, including print-on-demand services. We can also help you explore printing and binding options. Printing is quoted separately from design.
Ebook Formatting: We format ebooks for your chosen publishing platform. Most text-based books use a reflowable layout, so readers can adjust the text size. Image-heavy books may need a different approach; we’ll discuss what suits your book.

Marketing & Branding

A consistent look beyond the book.

Marketing Materials & Branding: We design publishing logos and promotional materials that carry your book’s look across ads, social graphics, bookmarks, and other pieces. Tell us what you need so we can include it in your quote.

Additional Support

Specialist help when your project needs it.

Editing & Proofreading: We can connect you with independent editors and proofreaders. These services are quoted separately. Your manuscript should be edited before full layout, with a final proofread after typesetting.
Custom Graphics & Artwork: Need maps, charts, or other custom graphics? Let us know before we quote. We can create selected graphics or coordinate with an illustrator or other specialist, depending on the project.

Rates

Typical design fees are listed below. Your written estimate confirms the scope, deliverables, revision rounds, and schedule.

Cover Design

A custom cover for your book.

$750-$1,500

Request a quote

What's included

3–6 initial cover concepts
3 rounds of revisions
Print-ready cover files

Cover & Text Interior

Cover and interior design for a text-only book.

$1,500-$3,000+

Request a quote

What's included

3–6 initial cover concepts
Text-only interior layout; quoted by length and complexity
3 rounds of revisions to the cover and interior
Print-ready cover and interior files

Illustrated Books

Cover and full-color interior design for a hardcover book.

$3,500+

Request a quote

What's included

3–6 initial cover concepts
Interior layout with images, charts, or tables
3 rounds of revisions to the cover and interior
Print-ready cover and interior files

Custom Book Projects

Specialty production and additional design materials.

$5,500+

Request a quote

What's included

Cover and interior design concepts, as quoted
Exploration of printing and packaging options
Marketing materials, as quoted
Print-ready files

These are guide prices. Final fees depend on length, complexity, formats, and the work involved. Printing and optional services are quoted separately.

Addons

These add-on services are quoted separately unless included in your project estimate. Please mention them when requesting a quote.

Ebook Formatting: Ebook formatting is quoted separately unless included in your estimate. We’ll recommend a reflowable or fixed-layout EPUB based on your content and chosen platform.: Price varies Based on length and layout complexity
Printing & Specialty Production: We can help you explore outside printers for print-on-demand, short runs, and specialty books. We’ll discuss paper, binding, finishes, and suitable production options. Printing is quoted separately; costs depend on quantity, format, and materials.: Price varies Based on quantity, format, and materials
Editing & Proofreading: We can refer you to independent editors and proofreaders. Fees depend on the manuscript’s length and the level of work required. Editing and proofreading are separate from design.: Price varies Based on word count
Marketing Materials & Branding: Publishing logos, social graphics, ads, and other promotional pieces can be designed to match your book. Your quote will specify the items and formats included.: starting at $500+

FAQ

Getting Started: What do you need for a quote?
Use our quote form and include a synopsis, word count, services needed, publishing formats, and target date. Mention images, tables, custom artwork, and your printer if known. Cover references and a rough manuscript also help.
What should I have ready before layout starts?
Send one final, edited manuscript, original image files, captions, credits, and placement notes. Tell us your intended formats and printer if known. We’ll flag anything else your project needs.
How do estimates and payments work?
Your written estimate and service agreement confirm the scope, deliverables, revision rounds, and schedule. We require 50% to start, with the balance due at completion. We accept checks, bank deposits, and credit cards with a 3% fee.
How long does design take?
Cover design often takes 2–3 weeks; a straightforward cover-and-interior project takes about 4–6 weeks. We confirm timing before booking. Late material, extra revisions, and complexity can extend the schedule. Printing and delivery take additional time.
Design & Revisions: How does cover design work?
We review your brief and audience, present initial concepts (typically 3–6), and refine your chosen direction within the rounds in your estimate. We can begin before the manuscript is final. You can share cover ideas, reference books, or existing artwork.
How does interior design work?
We create sample pages for your approval, then apply the agreed design to the full edited manuscript. We can also design an interior around an existing cover. Additional design directions, custom graphics, and complex tables are quoted when needed.
How do revisions and feedback work?
Send one combined response per round, with all reviewers’ comments resolved. Use email for covers and PDF comments for interiors. Your estimate states the included rounds. Major rewrites, new material, additional formats, or a changed direction may affect fees and timing; we’ll discuss added costs first.
How should I supply images, and can you create artwork?
Send original files separately, with clear filenames and matching placement notes. Aim for 300 ppi at the final printed size, and secure permission for supplied material. We use licensed stock images and can create selected graphics or coordinate specialist artwork. Added costs are discussed first.
Can you help with editing and proofreading?
We can refer you to independent editors and proofreaders; their work is separate from design. Editing should be completed before full layout. After typesetting, you or your proofreader should check the text, images, credits, page order, and publishing details before final approval.
Printing & Files: When do you finish the spine and back cover?
We need the final page count, trim size, paper and binding details, printer’s template, and final cover copy. We then finish the spine, back cover, and any jacket flaps included in your quote.
Is printing included, and can I order a small quantity?
Printing is separate from design and handled by an outside printer. We can help explore POD, short-run, and specialty options. Costs depend on quantity, size, page count, paper, color, and binding. We recommend checking a physical proof before ordering copies.
Who supplies ISBNs and copyright-page details?
You or your publisher supply the publishing details, copyright-page text, and any required ISBNs or Library of Congress number. Requirements depend on your platform and eligibility. We format the information and can use your barcode or leave space for the printer’s.
Who uploads and publishes the book?
We’re a design studio. You manage publishing accounts, listings, pricing, tax and payment details, and uploads. We supply the agreed design files and answer file-related questions. Distribution, sales, account setup, and platform support remain with you and your chosen providers.
What files do I receive, and do you keep backups?
Your estimate lists the deliverables, such as print-ready PDFs and an EPUB if included. Ebook formatting is quoted separately unless specified. Editable design files are available on request, subject to font and image licenses. Keep your own backups; we do not provide long-term archiving.