Keyword: questions to ask book cover designer
Before hiring a book cover designer, ask about:
- Rights & ownership of the final design
- Number of revisions included
- Their experience in your genre
- File formats provided
- Timelines for delivery
- Pricing & payment terms
- Whether they can design for both print and digital formats
The right book cover designer is one who understands your genre, provides clear rights and deliverables (print plus eBook files), offers revision rounds, and can hit your timeline and budget. Ask to see a genre-specific portfolio, confirm who owns the final artwork, clarify how many revisions are included, and ensure you’ll receive print-ready (CMYK PDF with bleed) and digital (RGB JPG/PNG) files sized for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and your local printer in Nigeria/Africa.
The designer should also be comfortable preparing print specifications (A5/5×8/6×9, correct spine width, matte/gloss lamination) and can deliver files that print cleanly with local presses and look sharp on global stores. Print Doctor Africa provides you with expert designers and manages print specs so your cover sells on screen and on shelf.
Why Your Cover Choice Matters
Readers really do judge books by their covers. Your cover is your first salesperson. A strong cover signals a professional product, tells the genre at a glance, and earns you a few extra seconds of a buyer’s attention, online or in a Lagos, Nairobi, Johannesburg, London, or New York bookstore. As the old saying goes, “A good cover can sell a book once; the story sells it twice.”
We’ve delivered a 1,000 plus titles to international standards; we’ll help your cover pass the “one-second test” on Amazon and the “arm’s-length test” on a physical shelf.
The 7 Key Questions (and what great answers sound like)
1) Can I see your portfolio, specifically in my genre?
Each genre has its own design language. A thriller, romance, or inspirational memoir will each require different typography, imagery, and mood.
If you’re writing for both African and global audiences, ensure the designer can balance cultural authenticity with global design appeal.
Why it matters: Genre signals (such as typography, imagery, color etc) drive clicks and in-store selections.
Great answer sounds like: “Here are five recent (romance/thriller/business/Young Adult) covers, comparables, and why we used these choices.”
Red flag: Only logo/brand work, no books; or beautiful art that ignores genre conventions.
2) What’s your process, from brief to final?
Why it matters: You need milestones for concepts, revisions, and approvals.
Great answer: “From the delivery of Design brief, 2 to 3 concepts are developed, we’ll have 2 to 3 revision rounds and final deliverables for print/eBook/ads.”
Red flag: “I’ll just send something when it’s done.”
3) Who owns the rights, and can I use the cover everywhere?
You should have full rights to use your cover for all purposes, from print, to digital, marketing etc., without additional fees. Some designers retain rights or charge extra for extended usage, so confirm ownership in writing. If you’ll be selling internationally, ensure the design can be used in multiple territories without licensing issues
Why it matters: You should have broad usage rights (print, eBook, audio, web, ads).
Great answer: “You own the final composited cover; stock/licensing is cleared; usage is unlimited for your book.”
Red flag: Vague ownership, no licenses for fonts/images, or “personal use only.”
4) How many revisions are included, and what costs extra?
Creative vision is rarely perfect on the first try. Ask how many rounds of changes are included in the fee. Standard is 2–3 rounds. Extra revisions may cost more.
Why it matters: Control of scope prevents surprise invoices or inflated prices.
Great answer: “Two concept rounds plus two revision rounds included; extra rounds billed at X dollar$ or X ₦aira per round.”
Red flag: Unlimited revisions (often masks weak process) or zero revisions (no collaboration).
5) What exact files will I receive (print + digital)?
You’ll need high-resolution files for print (usually PDF or TIFF) and web-optimized versions for online sales (JPEG or PNG). For print-on-demand platforms like Amazon KDP, designers have to follow very specific templates and instructions.
Why it matters: Platforms and printers have strict specifications.
Must-haves:
- Print: Press-quality CMYK PDF with bleed (0.125in/3mm), crop marks, correct spine width, back-cover layout with ISBN barcode.
- eBook: RGB JPG/PNG front cover at high resolution (e.g., 2560px on the long side).
- Platforms: Templates for Amazon KDP (paper, trim, page count).
Red flag: “I’ll send a JPG”; only.
6) What’s the timeline, and what do you need from me?
Launch dates slip when artwork stalls. Many authors underestimate how crucial the cover timeline is. Without a finished cover, you can’t finalize print proofs, upload your files to Amazon KDP, or create the marketing materials you’ll need to build buzz. A delayed cover doesn’t just hold up production, it can literally derail your entire launch strategy, from missing the ideal release season to postponing bookstore pitches and speaking events. That’s why you should always ask a potential designer about delivery timelines, milestones, and what happens if they hit delays. Clarity here can save you weeks of frustration and keep your publishing calendar on track.
Why it matters: Launch dates slip when artwork stalls.
Great answer: “One weeks to deliver concepts, one week per revision round; final in 1–2 weeks if feedback is prompt. I need your trim size, page count, back-cover copy, author photo, and ISBN.”
Nigeria reality: Build buffer time for power/internet hiccups.
Red flag: No schedule; “it depends” without milestones.
7) What’s the total cost, payment schedule, and contract?
Some designers charge per project; others charge hourly. African creatives largely charge per project. Ask about payment schedules (e.g., 50% upfront and balance on delivery or full payment after the project. Ask to know the designer’s payment policy). Consider currency exchange rates if hiring an international designer.
Why it matters: Transparency builds trust.
Great answer: “₦/$/£___ fee includes concepts, X number of revisions, all deliverables; 50% deposit to start, 50% on final; simple contract attached.”
Red flag: No contract and no proof of former work done, cash-only, or “price depends on how long it takes.”
Prefer not to chase specifications and vendor delays? Print Doctor Africa manages briefs, ISBN procurement, and deliver expert designs so you can focus on the writing.
Deliverables Checklist (copy/paste for your brief)
- Front cover (eBook): RGB JPG/PNG, high-res (≥2560px longest side)
- Full wrap (print): CMYK PDF plus bleed plus crop marks (KDP/IngramSpark templates)
- Spine width matched to final page count and paper stock
- Back cover: blurb/author Bio, author photo, imprint mark/logo, ISBN + scannable barcode
- Alternate crops for ads, social, and retail thumbnails
- Source file (PSD/AI/INDD) if agreed in contract
Budget & Timelines: What to Expect
Indicative ranges (not quotes):
- International freelancers: ~$70–$200 for experienced independent creatives; specialist illustrators/award-winners can be $1,000 plus.
- Nigeria/Africa freelancers/agencies: ₦50,000–₦200,000 plus depending on experience, illustration needs, and deliverables.
Timeline: 1 to 3 weeks is common for a solid process (brief → concepts → revisions → finals).
How to Write a Strong Cover Brief (fast template)
Book & genre: (Title, subgenre)
Audience & comps: “Fans of (Author A), (Author B).”
Tone/keywords: e.g., “gritty, high-stakes, Lagos noir,” or “warm, faith-forward, family.”
Must-include elements: Symbols, colors, motifs (only if they help).
Back-cover copy + author bio: paste final text.
Specs: Trim (A5/5×8/6×9), paper (cream/white), page count (estimate if still drafting), KDP/Ingram templates.
Retail targets: Amazon KDP, Roving Heights/Exclusive Books (as relevant).
Deadline & milestones: First concepts by (date); launch (date).
Common Red Flags (avoid these)
- Designer dismisses genre conventions (“I don’t follow rules”).
- Can’t explain licensing for photos/fonts.
- Only sends low-res flattened images.
- No contract, no timeline, no revision plan.
- Ignores your audience and comparable titles.
Action Steps (this week)
- Shortlist 3–5 designers with genre-fit portfolios.
- Send the brief template above plus your comparison titles.
- Confirm rights, revisions, files, timeline, and fee in writing.
- Prepare your launch assets (thumbnails, ads, sell sheet).
Want a done-with-you option? Print Doctor Africa takes your brief, handles everything between concepts development, revisions and delivery of press-ready files perfect for print and upload to online markets like Amazon KDP, Selar and other online stores. With us your cover works everywhere, from Amazon to Abuja.
Final Word A professional, genre-correct cover is not a luxury, it’s a sales tool. Ask the seven questions above, insist on clear deliverables, and test your files with both global platforms and local printers. You’ll protect your budget, your timeline, and your book’s first impression.
