Book production services

Cover preparation

Bring approved artwork and cover concepts together into files sized for the intended edition.

A considered first impression.

We confirm what artwork and text you can supply, what design work is needed, and which print or digital editions you require. Any new illustration work is scoped separately.

What’s included

Review of supplied artwork and asset permissions
Typography and front, spine and back arrangement
Printer-specific cover sizing
Final proof for your approval

Your quotation lists the exact deliverables, revision rounds, price and schedule before any work begins.

Start your project →Estimate the cost

Who this service suits

You have artwork or an existing cover design and need a usable cover file for a specific edition. This service prepares the full wrap from supplied material, with the front, spine and back aligned to the printer’s template. It is a practical production service; original illustration or a new visual identity should be discussed separately rather than assumed.

What to send

Send the highest-quality artwork available, the final cover wording and any editable design source. Include the title, subtitle, author name, back-cover copy and credits in editable text so spelling can be checked. Confirm that you have permission to use the artwork and fonts.

We need the final interior page count, trim, binding, paper, ink and printer. Supply the matching official template. Tell us how the ISBN and barcode will be handled and whether you need a separate digital front cover. Avoid finalizing the spine while the manuscript is still being repaginated.

How we work through your book

We place the supplied design against the exact template and check the relationship between the panels, spine and safe areas. The cover is reviewed as one wrap, not only as a front thumbnail. Small text, barcode space and details close to the cut need particular care.

You review the prepared cover proof for wording and visual placement. Look for accidental changes to the author name or subtitle and check that the back-cover text is the approved version. If the interior changes after this stage, tell us so the page count and template can be checked again.

Your finished files

The agreed print cover is delivered in the required file format, named for its printer and edition. Any digital-cover output is listed separately in the quotation. You upload the files yourself and review the printer’s preview and a physical proof before release. Keep the cover and interior versions together.

Schedule and quotation

Standard turnaround for this service is 2–3 business days from receipt of the final manuscript and images. Delivery within 24 hours (next day) is available with a 25% rush charge. Your quotation confirms the start, delivery time, scope and revision rounds before work begins.

The starting price above is a guide to the service, not a promise that every manuscript has the same production needs. The estimator uses your word count, images and selected services to help you plan. Send the brief when you are ready for a fixed quotation. There is no need to attach your manuscript to the first inquiry; project files can be supplied through your private Author Desk once the project is set up.

Questions about this service

Is a spine calculator enough to finish the cover?

It is useful for planning, but the official printer template determines the final construction and safe areas. Use the template for the exact edition.

Can I reuse my paperback file for hardcover?

A hardcover has different construction requirements. It needs its own specification and template, even if the artwork is the same.

What if my short book has no room for spine text?

The printer’s minimum and template govern that decision. A plain spine may be the right solution; text should not be forced into an unsafe space.

Useful preparation

Request your quotation →

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