FAQ

General questions, pricing and payment

1Your Cover: My Commitment to Your Bestseller Success
I understand that your book cover is more than just an image; it's your most powerful marketing tool and your book's first introduction to potential readers. My goal is to design a cover that grabs attention, instantly communicates your genre and tone, and entices readers to learn more. When readers browse, they make split-second decisions. They’re not looking for every detail of the story, but rather an immediate impression that aligns with their expectations of the genre. K9 thrillers need an image of a dog that exudes action. Epic fantasy calls for a warrior in armor. Military sci-fi demands impressive spaceships. Post-apocalyptic worlds are often defined by their distinctive skies. My mantra is simple: Clarity sells. The most effective covers are clear and direct. Most readers will first see your cover as a thumbnail. A clean, instantly recognizable design encourages clicks, bringing readers closer to making a purchase. However, a confusing or cluttered design makes them move on. My approach focuses on the overall feel and genre recognition rather than reproducing a specific scene. I'm here to help you create a powerful visual that hints at your story, sparks curiosity, and maximizes your book's sales potential. Less is often more, and visual clarity is key to success.
2How does the service work?
Getting started is simple. 1. Choose your style: Select the cover type that best suits your book: custom, pre-made, or illustrated. 2. Share Your Vision: Fill out my detailed briefing form to tell me about your project. 3. Confirm your order. Make a deposit via PayPal (or pay in full for pre-made covers). You can find a complete explanation of my design process on the homepage. Once your order is confirmed, you will receive an email with your estimated delivery date.
3What is your turnaround time?
My goal is to work quickly without sacrificing quality. 1. Pre-made covers are usually delivered within two business days, unless design changes are requested. 2. Timelines for custom and illustrated covers vary based on my current workload. If you have a specific deadline, please contact me beforehand for an exact estimate. Either way, you will receive a confirmation email with an estimated start date right after placing your order. Selecting the Priority Start option ensures that your project will start earlier, within five business days of payment. However, this option does not guarantee a fixed delivery date, as this depends on the complexity of the design and your responsiveness.
4How long does it take you to complete a cover once you start?
Once I have started work on a project, I can usually complete a custom cover within three business days and an illustrated cover within five. However, the exact timeframe depends on how quickly you provide feedback and how many revisions you request. Please bear in mind that these are average timescales and that every project presents different challenges.
5What happens if I order while you’re on vacation?
If you order during a vacation period, your project will be scheduled as soon as I return. If you’ve purchased Priority Start, the 5-business-day start countdown will begin after my return. I always announce vacation periods clearly on my website, so you’ll know in advance.
6Custom, PreMade, or Illustrated cover?
I offer a variety of options to best fit your needs and budget. Custom Cover: A bespoke design that blends and manipulates multiple high-quality stock images to tell your story. I will collaborate closely with you to ensure the final design perfectly captures the mood of your unique book. Pre-made cover: This is perfect for a high-quality, ready-to-go design. My extensive collection offers captivating covers spanning nearly every genre. Select your favorite, and I will customize the title and details to fit your book. Illustrated Cover: For the ultimate in creative freedom, this is your best choice. Your cover will be hand-drawn digitally, allowing me to bring highly specific characters or detailed scenes to life. This is ideal for those with a precise vision. Please note that an additional fee may apply for particularly complex scenes or those with many characters. Contact me for details.
7How do you design your covers?
Custom and pre-made covers are primarily created using photo manipulation. I extract, manipulate, and blend elements from various high-quality photos to create a new, engaging image. Illustrated covers are created "the old-fashioned way," but with modern digital tools. This approach requires more artistic time and effort, which is reflected in a slightly higher price. See "What's Included in Your Flat Rates" for more details.
8What's included in your flat rates?
My flat rates are designed to offer exceptional value and cover most projects, especially illustrated covers. Standard scenes include up to three characters. However, if your vision involves an extremely detailed scene, such as six characters battling in a burning city, the complexity would extend beyond my standard rate. In these cases, I'm happy to provide a personalized, no-obligation quote. Transparency is key!
9Do you offer discounts to recurring clients or series?
I believe in transparent and fair pricing that reflects the exceptional quality and artistic value I put into every cover. My rates are carefully set to ensure you receive a premium design that truly elevates your book. While I don't offer additional discounts, I guarantee consistent excellence and a dedicated creative partnership for all your projects, including series.
10What is the "Series" banner featured on some premade covers?
Seeing "Series Available" on a pre-made cover means that the main design elements, such as a character, object, or style, can be replicated or adapted with different poses or variations. This enables me to create additional covers for your series, ensuring a cohesive and professional appearance for all your books.
11Where are you based and what are your working hours?
I'm based in Italy. I work Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Italian time. I take weekends and Italian public holidays off to recharge so that I can bring my best creativity to your project!
12What's your hourly rate for extra edits?
My hourly rate is $60, with a minimum fee of $30. This applies to any modifications or revisions beyond what's included in the original package.

Design process

1How does the design process work?
A clear explanation of my design process can be found on the homepage, right below the header banner. Feel free to send me an email if you need more details!
2What if I want to cancel the project?
Life happens, and plans sometimes change. I completely understand! If you need to cancel your project, please let me know as soon as possible. If I cancel the project before design begins, I will gladly issue a full refund. If you cancel before work begins, a small cancellation fee of $10 or 10% of the total order, whichever is greater, will be deducted from your refund to cover payment processing costs. Once design work has started, for custom and illustrated covers, as soon as I begin the creative process for your highly personalized cover, the design work is considered underway. This includes the initial concept development for custom covers and sketch approval for illustrated covers. At this stage, no refunds will be issued, as I will have already devoted time and effort to creating your unique product. For pre-made covers, once I apply your requested text changes and send you the final cover, the sale is considered complete and final, and no refunds will be issued.
3What if I already have a picture for the cover?
I can create a cover based on your picture. However, it must be a high-resolution, print-quality image, and you must confirm that you have the necessary rights to use it.
4How many revisions can I ask for?
Your satisfaction is paramount. After I send you the agreed-upon cover concept, you can request up to three rounds of revisions. Once these revision rounds are completed, any additional changes will be billed at an hourly rate of $60, with a minimum charge of one hour per revision request. Please note that adjustments to title and text elements are not counted within the revision rounds, unless the scope of changes exceeds what can reasonably be considered minor or iterative refinements.
5What's Considered a Round of Revision?
A revision round involves making minor adjustments to the basic concept of your cover. This includes deleting or moving an element, adjusting the color grade, or changing the title placement. A complete change to the concept is not considered a revision and would incur an additional fee, which we could discuss and negotiate.
6What if I need adjustments after the project is complete?
Minor adjustments that take only a few minutes are free within one month of final file delivery. After that time, charges may apply. Charges may also apply if the edits involve multiple add-ons, such as an audiobook, headers, bookmarks, or mockups. Major edits are always subject to charges. Contact me for details.
7What is the format of the final files?
eBook covers are delivered as JPG files, 1600x2560 pixels, which is the standard Kindle size. If you need different sizes please let me know. Printed book covers are delivered as PDF files, ready to be uploaded to KDP, Ingram Spark or other printers. Add-ons are usually jpg or png files with transparent background.
8What if I Need the eBook Cover Now and the Printed Book Cover Later?
No problem! You can purchase the e-book cover now, and then let me know when you're ready for the printed book.

Add-ons and extras

1May I purchase add-ons only?
Absolutely! If you're looking for standalone add-ons, I'd be happy to help. Reach out to me directly, and I'll guide you through the process.
2What is “Priority Start” and how does it work?
The Priority Start add-on moves your project to the top of my schedule. I will begin working on your project within five business days of receiving payment. This upgrade only ensures early project initiation; delivery time still depends on the project’s complexity and how quickly you provide feedback. If I am on vacation or otherwise unavailable, the five-day countdown will begin after my return (this will always be announced on my website).
3What happens if too many clients request Priority Start?
To ensure that each project receives priority, I only accept a limited number of Priority Start projects at a time. If I cannot schedule your project within the promised timeframe, I will refund the Priority Start fee in full. If Priority Start was essential to your plans and you would prefer to cancel the entire order without penalty, you may do so. If you have any questions, please inquire.
4May I get a PSD (Photoshop) file of my cover?
Yes, you can obtain the cover file in a flattened PSD format with only the text layers editable. However, if you need the PSD file with all layers intact, that is possible, but we would need to negotiate the price due to licensing and copyright implications. Please note that even with a flattened PSD, I retain the copyright, and you are not permitted to modify or use it for purposes other than a book cover.
5I need a logo for my series, is it included in the cover design?
My focus within the cover design package is on creating a visual identity for your book cover. However, if you're interested in a series logo, I'd love to discuss that with you! I can incorporate very basic designs. For more intricate logos, I can provide a separate, no-obligation quote to develop a distinctive mark for your series.
6Can you design characters, maps and so on?
Yes, I can draw almost anything! If you need a map of a fantasy world, unique characters, or interior illustrations for a book, please contact me. I will gladly provide you with a no-obligation quote.

Print book design process

1What do the paperback, hardback and dust jacket add-ons include?
These add-ons include the front cover, spine, and back cover of a single printing service. Please select the appropriate provider in the brief. This add-on does not include a wrap-around picture (see the next point for more information). If you are publishing through multiple services, select one and add a note in the "Additional Notes" field indicating that you need multiple files. Please note that each printing service requires a different file with specific specifications, so additional fees apply.
2Do the artwork wraps around in the printed book add-on?
All my packages include the front cover only. A full wrap artwork comes at an extra cost to be agreed upon. Usually the front cover fades into a pretty neutral texture which will cover the back of the book, so the text will stand out and will be perfectly legible. If you're unsure about what this means and what's the final result just ask for a sample, I'll be happy to send it.
3What exactly is included in the Full Wrap option?
With the Full Wrap add-on, I extend the front cover’s background artwork across the spine and back cover, so the scene flows naturally around the entire book.
4Does full wrap include new characters or objects on the back cover?
The Full Wrap add-on is designed to make your book look premium and immersive. It extends the background artwork and atmosphere of the front cover across the spine and onto the back, creating a seamless visual flow around the entire book. Please note that this option is strictly for the artistic extension of the front cover's existing elements. It does not include creating a new illustration or custom imagery for the back cover. However, if you require a distinct image for the back of the book, I'd be happy to discuss a custom solution with you! If this is the case, please contact me directly before ordering so we can evaluate the project together and ensure the best possible result for your cover.
5Can I order the Full Wrap later, after the front cover is done?
Yes, you can add this option later. However, it’s usually more efficient (and cheaper) to request it together with the cover design.
6What if I don’t have the trim size or the page count but I still want to order the printed cover?
No worries! I'll design the cover of your book at the standard size of 6" x 9" with an estimated page count. Then, I'll send you a high-resolution JPG of the cover for your book's promotion. Once you have the exact trim size and page count, I will adjust the cover size and send you the printer-ready file. You will be charged for the standard printed book add-on, and the first size adaptation, if necessary, is free of charge. Additional size adaptations are charged by the hour.

Copyright, license and credits

1After I buy the cover, do I own all the rights on it?
When you purchase a cover design, you receive exclusive publishing rights. This means that you can use the design for your book in any format—eBook, paperback, or hardback—and distribute it on any platform without restrictions. For covers made with stock images, usage is covered under the stock provider’s standard license, which is usually valid for up to 500,000 printed copies and unlimited e-books. If your sales exceed this limit, you will simply need to upgrade the license. I will provide you with a list of stock images and IDs upon request. As the artist, I retain the copyright to the artwork itself, which is standard practice in the publishing industry. However, if you wish to acquire full copyright ownership, this option is available for an additional fee.
2Can I modify the cover myself?
I want to ensure that your cover is perfect not only from a design and licensing standpoint, but also from a technical standpoint for both print and online publishing. Each cover has specific requirements regarding resolution, color, and file format. If these requirements are not met, printing errors or poor visual quality on digital platforms could result. This is why I should handle all modifications. If you would like to make any changes, please contact me directly so I can find the best solution for you and ensure the final result is flawless.
3Can I hire another designer to create covers using your style or graphical elements from my cover?
To ensure visual consistency and protect the unique artistic integrity and copyright of my designs, which remain my intellectual property, I am always available to create additional covers for your series or any related projects. Working directly with me guarantees that your entire series will have a cohesive and impactful look that maintains its distinct brand.
4Should I credit you for your service?
I usually place a discreet footer with the copyright information on bottom of the back cover. If you do not want it, I'd appreciate your adding the followig sentence to the copyright page: "Cover: © (CURRENT YEAR) Ivan Zanchetta & bookcoversart.com".

Book Cover Design FAQ

Book Cover Design FAQ: I specialize in creating unique book cover designs for fiction authors in the self-publishing market. As an independent author, the design of your book cover is crucial for making a strong first impression and attracting readers. My goal is to provide visually compelling covers that enhance your book’s appeal and help it stand out in the competitive self-publishing arena.

The Importance of a Professional Book Cover

The self-publishing industry offers incredible opportunities for authors to share their stories with the world, free from traditional publishing constraints. However, this freedom also brings intense competition. Having a professionally designed book cover captures the essence of your story and grabs the attention of potential readers. Whether you write fantasy, thriller, or romance, my custom cover designs meet your specific needs and resonate with your audience.

My Services and Commitment

My FAQ section answers your questions about our book cover design services. From the initial consultation to the final delivery, I prioritize transparency and professionalism. My Terms of Service clearly outline my responsibilities, file delivery formats, publishing rights, confidentiality, and ownership rights. Understanding the self-publishing market and the unique challenges faced by independent authors, I ensure that each cover design serves as both a marketing asset and a true representation of your creative vision.

Collaborative Design Process, Book Cover Design FAQ

By working with Book Covers Art, you can rest assured that your book cover will be unique and captivating. It will also be optimized for the self-publishing market. My design process is collaborative. I incorporate your ideas and preferences to create a final product that exceeds your expectations. Additionally, I offer various packages to fit your needs, from premade designs to fully custom and illustrated covers.

Join Me on Your Self-Publishing Journey

Thank you for choosing Book Covers Art to be a part of your self-publishing journey. I look forward to helping you achieve success with a standout book cover design.