If you’ve ever wondered how much it costs to create a book cover, the answer is: more than you’d expect!
A book cover is just one piece of the publishing puzzle, but it’s a big one—and if you do it right, often an expensive one.
Many people assume you just need one cover, but in reality, every format of a book requires its own version.
For The Gimirri Invasion, for example, I’m actually paying for six different covers:
- Ebook Cover (optimized for online viewing)
- Amazon Paperback Cover: Amazon KDP has specific print requirements, including different spine calculations based on their paper stock and printing process.
- Ingram Paperback Cover: IngramSpark distributes to bookstores like Barnes & Noble and Indiebound, and their print specs, spine width, and color formatting differ from Amazon’s.
- Amazon Hardcover Cover: Amazon KDP’s hardcover option has different dimensions, including case laminate options.
- Ingram Hardcover Cover: IngramSpark offers additional hardcover formats, with different file requirements.
- Audiobook Cover: square format, separate from print and ebook versions.
Each platform requires specific design adjustments because their print specifications vary. For example, Amazon and Ingram use different printers, meaning their spine widths are calculated differently based on the type of paper they use.
Why a Professional Cover Design Matters
A professionally designed book cover isn’t just about making a book look pretty—it directly impacts sales and reader perception.
Surveys show that nearly 80% of book buyers judge a book by its cover, and an unprofessional design can make readers hesitate before even reading the description.
Why Hire a Professional Designer?
- Professional designers understand market trends and know what attracts readers in specific genres.
- They ensure the cover is high-resolution, visually striking, and meets industry standards.
- A great design builds trust, signaling to potential buyers that the book is high quality.
A poorly designed cover—one with awkward fonts, bad color choices, or amateur artwork—can tank book sales no matter how amazing the story inside is. In contrast, a high-quality cover makes a book feel like it belongs on the shelves of major retailers.
According to industry reports, covers can increase sales by up to 51% when they align with reader expectations.
What Does a Book Cover Cost?
Professional book cover design costs can vary widely, depending on the designer’s experience, the complexity of the cover, and the number of formats needed.
On average, a high-quality book cover costs anywhere from $750 to $1,500 for an indie author.
Because of all this, I’m investing in the best possible design for The Gimirri Invasion, Book II in The Midas Legacy.
*If you’d like to be a part of bringing this book to life, you can donate here for exclusive rewards. Every contribution makes a difference!