If you are reading this, it means that you have successfully written your manuscript and are looking forward to maximizing its potential. Among several ways you can consider this endeavor, you may also be seeking the best book cover designer to be by your side.
While it can seem like a simple task, you cannot trust the first book cover designer you find on your journey. Finding the right book cover designer is a long and arduous journey, and you must be prepared with a questionnaire.
If you are not sure where to begin, here are some of the most important questions to ask.
1. Ask About Their Availability
When selecting a book cover designer, it’s crucial to consider their portfolio and whether they have experience working with publishing platforms like Spines to ensure your design aligns with industry standards. You know exactly who you want to reach out to and entrust with your book cover. At the last moment, you realize that they are not available. Wouldn’t it be devastating?
Instead of assuming that your favorite book cover and spine designer will always be available to undertake your project, you must reach out to them in advance. Have a short chat with them and be sure that they are taking on new clients.
Many clients are surprised to know that the best professionals may be booked out for months and even years in some cases. Hence, it is better to be sure than to hope for the best.
2. Share Your Deadline
Achieving your dreams of adorning your book with a brilliant book cover design can be a challenge, especially if you have a short deadline. Once you get in touch with the right book cover designer for your book, you must share your deadline.
A professional will never give you an answer filled with doubts. They will tell you whether meeting your deadline will be possible for them based on their busy schedule.
In case they are unable to meet your deadlines, you do not have to push them. Instead, it is better to pursue other options that are available to manage according to your deadline.
3. Inquire About Experience in Genre
If you are looking forward to publishing a fiction book, you must also hire a publisher who has experience in designing covers for a specific audience. You cannot entrust a book cover designer who has never designed a book cover for a fiction book.
Relevant experience in the genre gives the user the power to meet the expectations and preferences of your audience. They know exactly how to speak to your readers and draw them in. Hence, you will also be confident knowing that such an important aspect of your book will be handled by people with the right experience.
4. Ask for Samples
When you ask a professional about their experience in a certain genre, they will want to impress you as your client. In their efforts, they may oversell their skills, and you may suffer the consequences. The best way to protect your best interests is to ask for samples of work.
If the book cover designer is as brilliant as they say, it will show in their work. After viewing their samples, you can work with them if you feel satisfied. Otherwise, you can consider yourself free to pursue other options.
5. Learn About the Costs
One of the most important things you must consider while hiring a book cover designer is the cost of their services. Different book cover designers charge differently for their services based on important factors such as their experience, skills, qualifications, and more.
Of course, you must have a budget for hiring a book cover designer based on several considerations. Asking a book cover designer about the costs of their services in advance can save you a lot of time and help you find the right match for your needs.
6. Question About Premade Covers
If you think that you are unable to find the right book cover designer in your budget, you are not alone. Several authors deal with the same problem. While it can be a big issue, it does not mean that you will have to say goodbye to your dream of a brilliant book cover.
In most cases, book cover designers charge more for custom book covers. You can look for premade covers for your book. Premade covers are often less expensive. You can request the book cover designer to make small changes to the design, such as adding your title and your author’s name. From there on, your book will be ready to go.
7. Ask About Resources
One of the most important things to consider while hiring a book cover designer is the resources they use. The pictures you use on your book cover are subject to copyright. Any picture downloaded from the internet cannot be a part of your book cover.
Instead of trusting your book cover designer to make the best decisions in your favor, it is better to inquire about the resources they use in advance. Similarly, you must also be mindful of the fonts that are used on your book cover.
When looking for images, it’s a good idea to use sites where you have to pay to download, like Shutterstock, Getty Images, and Depositphotos. These are reliable options.
8. Know About Revision
Lastly, you must know how many times your book cover designer will revise your book cover draft before you hire them. Of course, there is a chance that you might not like the first draft designed by your book cover artist. Hence, discussing drafts is very important to avoid any miscommunication down the lane.
It is important for you to know how many times you can ask your designer to tweak the cover. This way, you can ensure that both of you are on the same page.
In addition to learning how many drafts a designer will redraw for you, you can also discuss the cost of additional drafts, if needed. This way, you can make your decision without any doubts.
