
Semi-Custom Book Cover Design
Designing a book cover should feel exciting, not stressful. My goal is to make the process simple, collaborative, and enjoyable while giving you a cover that fits your genre and speaks to your readers. I work with stock-based, semi-custom designs, shaping your ideas into a clean, professional cover that’s ready for your publishing platform. Whether this is your first book or your fiftieth, I’m here to help bring your story to life.
I design semi-custom book covers based on your genre, tone, and overall direction. Share the feel you’re aiming for, and I’ll shape it into a clean, professional cover that fits your market while keeping the process flexible and approachable.
Genres I Specialize In
These genres work beautifully with semi-custom, stock-based design.
If your project falls outside this list, feel free to ask.
• Romantic Suspense / Mafia
• Thriller / Crime / Mystery
• Cozy Mystery
• Fantasy
• YA Fantasy
• Paranormal / Urban Fantasy
• Horror
• Sci Fi
• Christian Romance
• Non Fiction
(Fantasy and YA Fantasy are absolutely included — the limitation is style, not genre.)
What I Don’t Offer
I don’t offer photorealistic or character-heavy illustration. This includes:
• Fully photorealistic character portraits
• Highly detailed model-based covers
• Multi-character photorealistic scenes
• Character composites requiring advanced blending or digital painting
• Rendered or AI-generated characters meant to look like photography
These styles fall outside the scope of my semi-custom, stock-based model.
Important Note
Any genre is welcome — including fantasy, YA fantasy, romance, and Christian romance.
The only limitation is style. If a concept requires photorealistic character work, I’ll let you know before we begin so we can adjust direction or explore alternatives.
Semi Custom Approach
I do my best to incorporate your preferred elements and direction. Semi-custom covers offer creative flexibility, though availability of stock resources means certain requests may not always be possible — and when needed, I’ll suggest the closest or most suitable alternatives.
What’s Included
• eBook cover
• Paperback cover (front, spine, back)
• Three revisions
• Stock images primarily from Pixabay, Pexels, and Depositphotos
• Free use, commercially safe fonts
• Professional layout, typography, and composition
Additional Options
• Extra revisions: $25 each
• New concept: $45 (some elements may be reused when appropriate)
• Help with your blurb: $35 (150–175 words is the ideal length for most blurbs)
How the Process Works
• An intake sheet is completed after booking
• Genre, tone, and overall direction are provided
• An initial concept is created based on the project brief
• Revisions are requested as needed
• Final files are delivered in industry standard formats
• For IngramSpark projects, the official IngramSpark cover template generated from the author’s account must be supplied, as all print files must be built directly on that template
How I Work
Editable Files
Editable source files aren’t provided. Working files contain licensed assets that can’t be redistributed, so all adjustments are handled on my end to keep everything compliant.
Spine Adjustments
If the page count changes, I’ll adjust the spine. Small changes usually don’t require a new template.
Stock Images
I use properly licensed stock images. These licenses allow commercial use of the final design but can’t be transferred or redistributed.
Turnaround Times
Turnaround times vary by project, but I do my best to keep things moving smoothly.
File Delivery
Final files are delivered as print-ready PDFs and high-resolution images.
What You Receive
Each cover includes a print-ready PDF, a high-resolution PNG/JPG, and any versions required for your publishing platform.
Work Schedule
I work Monday–Thursday and respond to messages within 24 business hours (excluding Fridays and holidays).
Payment
PayPal or Zelle accepted.
Refund Policy
Payment covers custom design work created specifically for your project. For this reason, refunds are only available if the project is canceled beforeany design work begins. Once concept development or stock sourcing has started, payments are non-refundable. Final files are non-refundable under all circumstances.
Future Offerings
As my skills and tools expand, I plan to add additional services, including more character-focused designs and advanced photorealistic work.
WHAT TO EXPECT
A collaborative process
Share your genre, tone, and direction, and I’ll build a cover that fits your market while keeping the workflow smooth and flexible.
Semi-custom design
I work with licensed stock images and commercially safe fonts to create a polished, professional cover without the cost of full illustration.
Each project includes three revisions, with additional revisions available at $25 each.
Print ready files
You’ll receive a high-resolution eBook cover and a full paperback layout (front, spine, back) formatted for your platform. PDF, PNG, and JPEG files.
Revision Policy
Revisions cover adjustments to the existing concept, such as layout, typography, color, and stock placement. Requests that significantly change the original direction, including new imagery, a different mood, or a complete shift in style, are considered a new concept and fall under the new‑concept fee.
Proofing Responsibility
All text provided for the cover, including title, subtitle, author name, tagline, and back‑cover copy, must be proofread and confirmed by the author. Final approval indicates that all text is correct, and any changes requested after final delivery may require an additional fee.
AI Use
I do not use AI to design, generate, or edit client covers. All design work, decisions, and creative development are done by hand using licensed stock resources and professional design tools.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
It helps to have:
• Genre, tone, and any visual direction
• Trim size and estimated page count (for the spine)
• Must have elements
• Back cover text (if applicable)
• Publishing platform (KDP, IngramSpark, etc.)
If details are still being finalized, that’s completely fine — we can begin with what you have and adjust as needed.
Submitting payment indicates acceptance of the policies on this page, including licensing, deliverables, and revision terms.
FAQ
Do you provide editable files?
No. Working files contain licensed assets that can’t be redistributed.
What if my page count changes?
Small changes (around 1–10 pages) usually don’t affect the spine. Larger changes can be adjusted.
What stock images do you use?
Pixabay, Pexels, Depositphotos, and other free-use sites with proper commercial licensing.
How long does a cover take?
Turnaround times vary by project.
What genres do you design for?
Romantic suspense, mafia, thriller, mystery, fantasy, paranormal, horror, sci fi, Christian romance, and nonfiction. If your genre isn’t listed, feel free to ask.
Do you design character-heavy or photorealistic covers?
No. If your concept requires that style, I’ll let you know before we begin.
What files will I receive?
A print-ready PDF for paperback and a high-resolution PNG/JPG for your eBook.
Get in touch today for a free consultation. You have everything to gain!
Ready? Contact me today, and let’s find out what I can help you with!
You can also reach me here at [email protected].