How Much Does It Cost to Have Someone Design a Book Cover?

In the world of books, the old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” may sound noble, but in practice, we all do it. The book cover is your first and most powerful marketing tool. It’s the handshake, the smile, the hook—and in today’s competitive market, a professionally designed cover can make the difference between a sale and a pass.

If you’re an aspiring author or even a seasoned writer preparing to publish your next work, you’re probably wondering: how much does it cost to have someone design a book cover? The short answer? It varies widely. The long answer is what this blog is all about.

In this guide, we’ll break down all the variables—from cover types and designer experience to budget options and hidden costs—so you can plan smartly and invest wisely in your book’s first impression.

Why Book Cover Design Matters More Than Ever

Before diving into numbers, let’s understand the why. With the explosion of self-publishing platforms and digital bookstores, readers are often browsing hundreds—if not thousands—of titles on a screen. Your book cover is the very first thing they see, and it has about three seconds to grab their attention.

A poorly designed cover can signal amateurism, even if the content inside is gold. On the other hand, a clean, professional, genre-appropriate cover builds trust and entices readers to learn more.

Investing in a well-crafted book cover isn’t optional—it’s essential.

The Three Main Types of Book Covers

The cost of your book cover design largely depends on what kind of cover you need:

1. Ebook Cover Only

• Used for: Kindle, Apple Books, Kobo, etc.

• Design includes: Front cover only in digital format (usually JPG or PNG).

• Typical cost range: $50 – $500

2. Print Cover (Paperback or Hardcover)

• Used for: Print-on-demand services like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or offset printing.

• Design includes: Front, spine, and back cover—formatted for exact dimensions.

• Typical cost range: $200 – $1000+

3. Complete Cover Package (Print + Ebook)

• Used for: Authors publishing in both formats.

• Design includes: Front, spine, back, and a resized version for digital platforms.

• Typical cost range: $300 – $1500+

So when you’re budgeting, be clear about which formats you’ll need to avoid surprises later on.

Who Can Design Your Cover—and What Do They Cost?

Book cover designers come in various tiers based on skill level, experience, and reputation. Here’s a breakdown of the types of designers and what you can expect to pay:

1. DIY (Do-It-Yourself) – $0 to $50

If you’re on an ultra-tight budget, tools like Canva, Adobe Express, and BookBrush allow you to design your own cover using templates.

Pros:

• Free or low-cost

• Full creative control

Cons:

• Risk of unprofessional appearance

• Time-consuming

• Limited knowledge of genre conventions

DIY is fine for practice, early drafts, or non-commercial projects, but rarely recommended for public release.

2. Freelancers on Platforms (Fiverr, Upwork) – $50 to $300

Freelance platforms are filled with designers offering a wide range of pricing and quality. On Fiverr, you might find a beginner charging $50, or an experienced designer charging $250+.

What you get:

• Basic to moderate design

• Usually limited revisions

• Variable turnaround time

Tips:

• Check portfolios thoroughly

• Read client reviews

• Avoid overly cheap listings—they often use stolen templates or AI-generated art

3. Professional Freelancers – $300 to $800

These are designers who specialize in book covers and understand genre expectations, typography, and market trends. You can find them through websites, social media, or marketplaces like Reedsy.

What you get:

• Original, custom designs

• Industry-standard files for both ebook and print

• Collaboration and revision cycles

Well-known freelance designers may charge more, especially for genres like fantasy, sci-fi, or historical fiction that require elaborate artwork.

4. Boutique Design Studios – $800 to $1500+

Boutique agencies or design teams offer premium services that often include:

• Market research

• Multiple concepts to choose from

• Typography tailored to your brand

• Mockups for marketing

These studios cater to serious indie authors and small publishers looking to stand out.

5. Top-Tier Designers & Industry Veterans – $1500 to $5000+

These are the designers behind bestselling books. If your book has mass-market ambitions, a designer with Big Five publisher experience can be worth the cost.

Why the high price?

• They bring proven sales knowledge

• Access to elite stock libraries or custom illustrators

• High-end branding quality

What’s Usually Included in a Book Cover Design Package?

Here’s what you should expect from a good book cover designer (especially in the $300+ range):

• Custom cover artwork or photo manipulation

• Professional typography and layout

• Front cover for ebook (JPG, PNG)

• Print-ready PDF (front, spine, back) based on your specs (page count, trim size)

• 3D mockups for marketing

• 1–3 rounds of revisions

• Files formatted for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, etc.

Always clarify what is and isn’t included in the price before starting the project.

Hidden Costs to Be Aware Of

Even with a quoted package price, there may be additional expenses you haven’t factored in:

1. Stock Photos or Illustrations

Some designers use stock photography from paid sites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock. Others create digital art or commission illustrators.

• Typical stock photo cost: $10 – $100 per image

• Custom illustration cost: $200 – $1000+ depending on complexity

2. Revisions Beyond the Limit

Designers usually offer 1–3 rounds of free revisions. Additional changes may incur extra fees—$25 to $100+ depending on scope.

3. Format Resizing

Want to convert your paperback cover into a hardcover dust jacket or audio cover later? Expect additional formatting fees ($50 – $150).

4. Rush Orders

Need your cover in 48 hours? Fast-track services can double your design cost.

Genre-Specific Design Costs

Some genres demand more design complexity—and therefore, higher fees.

High-Cost Genres:

• Fantasy / Sci-fi: Custom illustrations, maps, characters, and detailed environments.

• Historical Fiction: Period-accurate details and sourcing vintage imagery.

• Romance (especially subgenres like dark or paranormal): Genre-specific aesthetics, attractive character renders.

These covers often fall into the $500–$2000+ range.

Lower-Cost Genres:

• Nonfiction / Memoir: Clean, minimalistic covers with fewer graphic elements.

• Self-help / Business: Bold fonts and color blocks—more about typography and layout than art.

These can often be done professionally for $300–$800.

How to Save Money Without Sacrificing Quality

If you’re working within a budget, don’t worry—there are smart ways to cut costs:

1. Pre-Made Covers

Many designers offer pre-made covers for $50–$300. You get a high-quality design at a discount, and they’ll customize the title and author name for you.

Best for: First-time authors, short stories, or books without complex themes.

2. Bundle Packages

Some freelancers or agencies offer discounts when you order multiple services (cover + formatting + marketing assets).

3. Design Contests

Sites like 99Designs allow you to host a contest and choose your favorite from dozens of submissions. This gives you variety and flexibility, though it may cost $300–$800 or more.

How to Hire the Right Book Cover Designer

To make sure your investment pays off:

• Request samples or portfolios

• Ask about their experience with your genre

• Check testimonials and reviews

• Discuss timelines and deliverables

• Clarify revision policy upfront

Always have a contract or agreement in place to protect both parties.

Final Thoughts: How Much Should You Really Spend?

Ultimately, the answer depends on your goals as an author. If you’re writing a personal memoir for family, a $100 pre-made cover might suffice. If you’re aiming for commercial success or bestseller status, investing $1000 or more could be essential.

Here’s a general guide:

Just remember—your cover is a reader’s first impression. And in 2025’s crowded digital marketplace, it’s not just decoration. It’s your handshake, your billboard, your brand.

Invest accordingly.