FAQs

How does the design process work?

The design process is collaborative. You receive a custom deep dive booklet sent to you via email to tell us all about your book. We request a Pinterest board, or selection of imagery, to further understand the tone of your book. If we have any additional questions, we drop you an email. All this information helps us to develop the right concepts for your cover design.

When should I book my project?

Availability can fill up pretty fast, so the sooner you can book your project, the better. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to secure your spot when your book goes into first edits. This should give you plenty of time to align all the elements needed for your launch.

Is there a deposit needed for custom covers?

There is a 50% deposit required at the time of booking with an invoice to be paid via PayPal. The remaining 50% is due upon project completion and before final high-resolution files are released.

How many initial concepts will I see?

BookSmith Design craft 3 initial cover concepts that are significantly different from each other to give you a broad choice. We work with you on 2 rounds of amends to get the cover just right. Any changes beyond this are subject to additional fees at an hourly rate. Book Branded and author branding is bespoke and discussed on a project by project basis, to fit with our clients' needs.

How long does it take to get your final cover?

Turn around time is based on the type of project. For bespoke covers we like to allow 3-4 weeks from concept to completion, this gives you time to ‘live’ with the designs between rounds of feedback. Of course, if you are a quick decision maker or amends are minimal, then the timeframe can be a lot shorter.

How does stock imagery & image rights work?

Many of our book covers use non-exclusive royalty-free stock images, because they are affordable. This means an image from your cover may be used elsewhere, by other people in a different way. We tend not to just use a single image for a cover, we manipulate it or add other elements that work for your story to make the cover uniquely yours. The licence for all royalty-free stock photography/graphics remains with the purchaser (BookSmith Design) so we are unable to supply you with the original images. You can of course download them yourself. Many images are licensed for up to 500,000 print copies and unlimited digital copies. If you require print runs of more than 500,000 it is a simple process to extend the licence.

I need a custom cover but you are booked out too far?
Do you offer a ‘rush’ service?

We understand that sometimes all the organisation in the world can still lead to timing challenges with self-publishing. With that in mind, we can on occasion fit last-minute 'rush’ projects in the studio. This would, however, depend on the schedule of the studio at the time. Please drop us an email and we will always see what we can do to help.

Who should I credit?

It is not essential that you credit us as cover designers but it would be appreciated. If you would like to credit, you can do so as such:
Cover design © booksmithdesign.com

What do the design fees NOT include?

The design fees are for FINAL files only. They DO NOT include the original working files. The original working files and design remain the copyright of the designer. The other concepts presented to the client that were not taken forward also belong to BookSmith Design. BookSmith Design will keep all working files for a period of 2 years should the client need to have the designer make any changes.

Do you offer refunds?

If you need to cancel a bespoke cover booking, a refund for the deposit will be made if notice is given at least four weeks prior to starting your project. If you cancel less than four weeks before your concept starting date, deposits are no longer refundable. Once final designs have been sent and shared, a refund will NOT be given.