Price Levels
We all want the most gorgeous book cover available, but we’re usually constrained by our budget. Here’s a list of what you can expect at each price level.
$0 A design template that you fill in with your chosen image(s) and colors
Amazon’s KDP offers a decent selection. The problem with this option is that writers don’t usually have the eye it takes to create a cover that looks professional.
$50–$100 A single stock photo with colors and fonts matching the colors in the stock photo
Fiverr has plenty of designers, usually in other countries, who can do a good job. I’d recommend this over doing your own with the free template. Some are as low as $30, and you get to choose your designer based on portfolios and reviews.
$200–$300 A predesigned cover that’s then filled in with your choice of fonts and colors
I like this choice because you know exactly what you’re going to get. You can pay a smaller amount if you’re willing to use one others might use as well, but you can pay extra to make it exclusively yours.
$600–$1,000 A custom-designed cover by a professional graphic designer
This is hands down my favorite choice, because you get exactly what you want and no one else will have anything like it. Obviously it’s pricey, but sometimes you’ll find a graphic designer starting out who needs a good portfolio or someone who is willing to barter. Here’s a cover by one of our favorite designers.
If you’d like any further advice or suggestions, feel free to contact me.
