FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CONTACT AND ORDERING
Can I order a book cover design through Facebook or Twitter?
No. All cover orders must be placed via email.
Once we have discussed your project and agreed on a project start date, we will send you our Design Brief Questionnaire to complete and the PayPal link to your deposit invoice ($50 per slot).
Do I need to complete the Design Brief Questionnaire? Why is it required?
Yes. A completed Design Brief Questionnaire is required to secure your place in our schedule.
The completed brief must be submitted and emailed to us no later than two weeks before your scheduled project start date. This gives us enough time to review the information and prepare for the design process.
In most cases, the questionnaire provides everything we need to get started. If we require any additional details, we will contact you for clarification or arrange a consultation.
Please note that if the completed brief is submitted late, we reserve the right to reschedule the project start date to the next available time slot.
Guidelines for filling out the brief - click here
Since you book several months in advance, how do I know my project won't be forgotten?
We design more than 500 covers each year, so careful scheduling and project management are an essential part of our process. Once we agree on a start date, you will receive a unique project number, for example, 2026-123. Receiving your project number means that your project is officially booked and your start date is confirmed. If you have any questions between booking and your scheduled start date, simply contact us with your project number and we will provide an update on the status of your project.
What is the turnaround time for a cover ?
We typically book projects 2 months in advance. Please check our Contact page for the most current availability. The month we are currently booking is always displayed at the top of the page. If you have an urgent project, please contact us. We will do our best to accommodate your deadline whenever possible.
Once you receive your first draft, the average turnaround time for finalizing the cover is approximately 10 to 15 days. This depends on the number of revisions required, the scope of the changes and how quickly we receive your feedback.
What is the turnaround time for a cover, and what if I need to change the agreed date?
We understand that schedules can change. If you need to move your project start date, please let us know as soon as possible.
With more than 2 months’ notice, your deposit can be transferred to a new available date.
With less than 2 months’ notice, a new $50 deposit will be required to reserve another date.
Only 1 rescheduling is possible. If you want to reschedule a 2nd time, deposit will be lost, and you will be asked to send another $50 deposit for securing the new spot.
DESIGN PROCESS
What if I don't like the first cover proposal or feel that it doesn't suit my book?
If you are not satisfied with the first cover proposal, we will create a new one.
What happens if I don't like the second proposal either?
If the second proposal still doesn’t feel like the right fit, it may simply mean that our design style isn’t the best match for your project.
What if I want to cancel the project?
If you receive the first draft and decide that our design style is not right for you, you may cancel the project without charge, provided that you have not requested any revisions. We believe a client should not have to pay for a design they do not like and will not use.
However, this applies only when the project is canceled immediately after the first draft, before revisions have been requested or completed. If you request revisions and later decide to cancel after receiving the revised design, a $200 kill fee will apply to cover the work already completed.
What if I have a very specific concept that I want you to follow, even if you don't think it is the best approach?
We understand that authors can have a very specific vision for their covers, and we always take that vision seriously. However, we cannot deliver a design that we believe looks unprofessional, even if a client specifically requests it. We maintain a consistent standard of quality and cannot attach our company name to work that falls below that standard.
Can I provide my own image for the cover?
Yes. If you already have an image you would like us to use, please include it with your Design Brief.
The image must be at least 300 dpi at 6 x 9 inches, and you must own the necessary rights to use it.
Providing your own image does not reduce or otherwise affect the cover design fee.
Do you use AI to create your book covers?
No. We do not use AI-generated artwork or stock images labeled as AI-generated in our book cover designs. All cover artwork is created by a human designer using traditionally licensed stock photography, illustration, and professional design software.
What if I already have an illustration and only need the title and text design?
That's absolutely fine. If you provide the finished cover artwork and only require text treatment, we will agree on a discounted price.
What if I have a very detailed description of the character I want on the cover?
If your concept requires very specific clothing, shoes, jewelry, facial expressions, poses, or similar details, we may not be able to reproduce every element using available stock photography. For highly specific character requirements, a studio photographer who can arrange a custom photoshoot or an illustrator may be a better option.
How many revisions can I request?
We do not set a strict limit on revisions, within reason.
Most revisions and fine-tuning are included at no additional charge. However, there are some exceptions:
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Exception #1: Changes requested because you changed your mind
If the original design follows your brief but you later change a major preference, additional fees may apply.
For example, if you approved a particular model mockup and then decide to replace that model mid-project after we have already done blending, retouching and/or overpainting, the change will be charged separately.
Additional fees start at $100 for a larger change, such as replacing the model.
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Exception #2: Requesting a completely new concept
Your cover concept is created based on the Design Brief you provide. If you approve the concept, request revisions, and then decide midway through the project that you want to change the concept completely, a $200 kill fee will apply. Once the $200 kill fee has been paid for the work already completed, we will begin the new concept from scratch. The new cover design will then be charged at our standard rate.
For example, if we have been developing a people-based cover and you decide that you would prefer a symbol-based cover instead, the existing design will need to be scrapped.
Kill Fee: Canceling the project
If you receive the first draft, decide that our design style is not right for you, and do not wish to proceed with revisions, you may cancel without charge. This applies only if no revisions have been requested or made.
If you request revisions and then decide to cancel the project after receiving the revised design, a $200 kill fee will apply for the work completed.
Can I publish or share the files you send me before I complete payment?
Please do not publicly share the working drafts we send during the design and revision process. These drafts are unfinished files intended for your review only. They are low-resolution, may contain unfinished or unaligned elements, and include our watermark.
Once the final design has been approved and payment has been completed, we will send you the high-resolution, watermark-free final files. These files will be delivered in an email titled HANDOVER and are the files intended for publishing, promotion, and sharing.
If you would like to share a working draft privately before payment, for example with beta readers, friends, or colleagues to gather feedback, please contact us first. We can arrange this with you.
Can I request changes to the text or artwork after the final eBook cover has been delivered/paid for?
Yes. Changes can be made after final delivery, although additional fees may apply.
Minor text changes are usually made at no additional charge. However, if the text is changed multiple times, additional fees will apply.
Changes to the artwork, whether replacing the entire image or modifying specific visual elements, will incur an additional fee based on the scope of the requested work.
PAPERBACK DESIGN
I already have an eBook cover. Can I upgrade it to a paperback later, and how much does it cost?
Yes. This is called a paperback add-on. The price is simply the difference between the cost of an eBook-only cover and the cost of an eBook + paperback cover design. You can order a paperback add-on at any time. The turnaround time is approximately 7 to 15 days, and there is no need to book it several months in advance.
Does the paperback cover package include the back cover and spine?
Yes. For a paperback cover, we use the existing eBook cover as the front and design the spine and back cover to match. The back cover is created using some or all of the visual elements from the front cover so that the entire design feels cohesive. If you would like completely new artwork created specifically for the back cover, this is considered an additional cover design and will incur an additional charge.
What if I don't have the final page count yet but still want to order a paperback cover?
We can create a digital paperback version using an approximate page count. This allows you to review and approve the full paperback design and use it digitally for promotional purposes.
Once your final page count is available, send it to us and we will adjust the spine width and provide the final press-ready paperback file.
The standard paperback cover price still applies in this situation. Once the final page count is provided, the adaptation of the approved design for print will be completed at no additional charge.
What if I change the back cover text, trim size, or page count after receiving the final paperback cover?
Changes can be made after final delivery, but additional charges apply:
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Back cover text changes: starting at $25
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Page count changes: starting at $25
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Trim size changes: starting at $40
Why does my printed book look slightly different in color or brightness from the cover on my screen?
Some difference between screen and print is unavoidable because screens and printed materials reproduce color differently. Computer monitors and mobile devices display color using RGB light, while printed materials use CMYK ink. Ink cannot reproduce every color and level of brightness visible on a backlit screen, so a 100% color match between digital and printed versions should not be expected.Since more than 90% of book sales are in eBook format, we make sure the cover looks its best on screen.
PACKAGES AND PROMO MATERIALS
Can I order an eBook cover first and add a paperback cover or promotional materials later?
Yes. You can add any of our additional services and packages, including paperback covers, promotional packages, and fantasy maps, at any time.
When I order an eBook Social or Print Social package, will the promotional graphics have completely new artwork?
No. Our marketing and promotional packages are based on the book cover we have already designed and use the existing cover artwork without changing it.
If you would like new artwork created specifically for your promotional materials, additional design and photo-manipulation work will be required with the final price depending on the scope of the requested changes. Please email us for a quote.
What if I already have a book cover and only need marketing or promotional materials?
That's not a problem. We can create promotional materials based on an existing cover.
If you would like us to use the artwork from your current cover, we will need a high-resolution version of the front cover artwork without text. If a text-free version is not available, we can instead create the promotional files using new artwork or stock images that match the style and atmosphere of your existing cover. When working with covers or artwork that were not originally designed by us, different rates from those listed on our Prices page may apply. Please email us for a quote.
Can I order a fantasy map separately from a book cover? What do I need to provide?
Yes. Fantasy maps, as well as all of our promotional packages, can be ordered separately from a book cover.
For a fantasy map, we usually begin with a simple hand-drawn sketch provided by the author and use it as the basis for the final map design. Pricing depends on the size and level of detail required, so we can provide an exact quote once we have reviewed your drawing.
PAYMENT AND COPYRIGHT
After I purchase my cover, do I own all the rights to the artwork? Can I use it for anything I want?
Once full payment has been received, Deranged Doctor Design grants you the right to use the final cover design artwork, subject to the licensing terms of any third-party stock images or other licensed assets included in the design.
However, we cannot transfer full ownership of the design to you. The photographers retain the copyright to their original images, and cover designers purchase licenses that allow those images to be used in their work.
Our cover design packages include stock photography purchased under a Standard License, which covers use for eBooks and paperback covers. If you intend to use the cover artwork for other purposes, such as printing it on mugs, T-shirts, or other merchandise, please review the Shutterstock License Agreement to determine whether your intended use is covered by the Standard License or requires an Enhanced License.
The client agrees to comply with the licensing terms of any third-party stock image provider used by Deranged Doctor Design for the cover. The cover design price includes the applicable Standard License. Stock images used in the design are royalty-free, but copyright to the original photographs remains with the photographer.
Once payment has been completed, you may use the final cover according to the terms of the Shutterstock Standard License - details here.
For uses that fall outside the terms of the Standard License, an Enhanced License may be required for one or more stock images used in the design. Any additional licensing costs are the responsibility of the client. The approximate cost is $89 per image.
Does hiring you count as purchasing goods? Do I need to send you tax forms at the end of the year?
You are purchasing a design service from us. Deranged Doctor Design is based and registered in Europe, where we pay our taxes, and we have no connection to the US tax system. Therefore, there is no need to send us US tax forms or related paperwork.
Can I create my own banners using the cover art or book renders you designed? Can I modify a banner you created by adding my own text or elements?
Yes. You may use our artwork to create your own promotional banners, and you may place the 3D book render we created on banners designed by you or another designer. You may also add your own text or additional elements to promotional materials we have created.
The only restrictions are that the final material must not state or imply that someone else designed the original book cover, and that the original cover artwork itself must not be altered. You may, however, add or modify text and other elements within promotional materials, as described above.
Can I purchase the PSD Photoshop file for my cover?
Yes. There are two options:
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PSD with editable text layers and flattened artwork: $150 per file
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PSD with fully editable text and artwork layers: $1,500 per file
Do you offer discounts for book series?
We do not offer a specific discount for series projects. However, we offer bulk discounts when 3 or more covers are ordered and designed at the same time:
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10% discount on eBook covers and packages
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15% discount on eBook + paperback covers and packages
These discounts apply only when 3 or more covers are designed together within the same timeframe.
If books in a series are ordered and designed separately, with a gap between projects, the bulk discount does not apply. More details here.
Can I pay by wire transfer or another payment method instead of PayPal?
No. We currently accept payments through PayPal only.
How should I credit Deranged Doctor Design?
Crediting Deranged Doctor Design on your book's copyright page is mandatory.
Please include:
Cover design by Deranged Doctor Design
For eBooks, please also include a link to:
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Please feel free to contact us directly at: