CONTACT AND ORDERING
Can I order a book cover design via Facebook or Twitter?
No. The only way you can order a cover is via email. After initial contact is made and we agree on delivery dates and other stuff, we’ll send our Design brief questionnaire for you to fill out.
Do I need to fill out the design brief questionnaire, and why?
Yes. In order to book a spot on our timetable, you need to fill out our design brief questionnaire. In most cases, the questionnaire gives us all the info needed to start the design process, but if we need some more info, we will contact you for clarification or a consultation.
Since you are booking a few months in advance, how can I be sure you won’t forget about my project?
What if it gets lost?
We are a serious company that designs more than 500 covers each year. That scope of work requires very precise organization, so you can rest assured that your project won’t be forgotten. After we agree on the delivery date, we’ll provide you with your project number code (e.g., 2017-123). When you receive your project code, it means the job is booked and your delivery date is confirmed. If you have any questions or concerns somewhere between the order and delivery date, you can contact us at any time with your project number code, and we will tell you the status of your project. :)
What is the turnaround time for getting my cover done, and what if I want to change the agreed date?
We usually book projects 2-3 months in advance. Please visit our “Contact” page, as information is always updated and displayed at the top showing the month that we’re currently booking for. However, if you have an urgent project, please contact us, and we will do our best to provide for your needs and meet your deadline.
The turnaround time for finalizing the cover is approx. 10-15 days from the date you receive the first draft (depending on the number of revisions needed and how soon we receive feedback from you).
DESIGN PROCESS
What if I am unsatisfied with my cover proposal? What if I don’t like it at all, or if I feel that it doesn’t fit my book?
If you are unsatisfied with our first cover proposal, no worries, we will make a new one.
What will happen if I don’t like the second draft either?
In the event that you don’t like our second proposal, we will conclude that we are not the best choice for you, and provide you with some suggestions regarding other cover designers that are available.
What if I want to cancel the project?
If you don't like our design style and don't want to work on revisions at all, and want to cancel the project after seeing the 1st draft, you won't be charged. It is our policy that a client shouldn't pay for a product she/he doesn't like or won't use.
However, this only applies if you decide to cancel after seeing the 1st draft (no revisions have been made to it). If you ask for revisions and decide to cancel mid-project after we have provided the revised file, you will be charged a $200 kill fee for the time spent.
If you don't like our design style and don't want to work on revisions at all, and want to cancel the project after seeing the 1st draft, you won't be charged. It is our policy that a client shouldn't pay for a product she/he doesn't like or won't use.
However, this only applies if you decide to cancel after seeing the 1st draft (no revisions have been made to it). If you ask for revisions and decide to cancel mid-project after we have provided the revised file, you will be charged a $200 kill fee for the time spent.
What if I have my own very specific idea that I want you to follow, even if you don’t think it’s the best approach?
We understand that an author may have a very particular idea of how a cover should look. Unfortunately, we cannot deliver anything that appears unprofessional, even if a client insists on a certain concept. Sorry, but we don’t want our company name connected to anything that falls below the standard of quality we consistently provide.
Can I supply an image for the cover?
Of course, if you already have an image that you want us to use for your book cover, send it along with the design brief. That said, we have one requirement related to the quality of the image, which is that it has to be at least 300 dpi at 6x9 inches. Also, you must own the rights to use the image. Providing your own image will not affect the cover design fee.
Do you use AI when creating your book covers?
No. Deranged Doctor Design DOES NOT use AI software, or stock images labeled as AI-generated.
All our covers are 100% human-made products.
What if I already have an illustration and I just need the text treatment for the cover?
It’s not a problem at all. In the event that you provide the cover art, we will agree on a discounted price.
What if I have a detailed description of a character that I want reflected on the cover?
If you have a request that involves a specific description of clothes, shoes, jewelry, facial expressions, etc. we might not be able to meet your request, and it may be better for you to contact a studio photographer who can set up a custom photoshoot.
How many revisions can I ask for?
We do not limit the number of revisions, within reason.
Most revisions and fine-tuning of cover designs are not charged extra, with some exceptions:
We do not limit the number of revisions, within reason.
Most revisions and fine-tuning of cover designs are not charged extra, with some exceptions:
Exception #1: Revisions requested because you changed your mind
If you requested a certain color scheme and then decided on a different one, or if you chose a particular model and then want a different one after the initial cover is created, you will be charged extra. These additional fees start at $50 for a color change, and go up to $100 for a bigger change, like switching to a different model.
Exception #2: New concept request
We provided the concept based on the brief you filled out. You liked it and asked for revisions, but mid-project, you decide you want to change the concept completely, such as we have been working on a "people cover" and you decide to switch to a "symbol cover." In those cases, a $200 "kill fee" will be requested. This means you will have to pay for the work done if you want us to scrap the design. After the kill fee has been paid, the previous design will be scrapped, and we will start from the beginning. The new design will be charged at standard rates, of course.
Kill Fee: Canceling the project
If you don't like our design style and don't want to work on revisions at all, and want to cancel the project after seeing the 1st draft, you won't be charged. It is our policy that a client shouldn't pay for a product she/he doesn't like or won't use.
However, this applies only if you decide to cancel after seeing the 1st draft (no revisions are made to it). If you ask for revisions and decide to cancel mid-project after we provide the revised file, you will be charged a $200 kill fee for the time spent.
If you requested a certain color scheme and then decided on a different one, or if you chose a particular model and then want a different one after the initial cover is created, you will be charged extra. These additional fees start at $50 for a color change, and go up to $100 for a bigger change, like switching to a different model.
Exception #2: New concept request
We provided the concept based on the brief you filled out. You liked it and asked for revisions, but mid-project, you decide you want to change the concept completely, such as we have been working on a "people cover" and you decide to switch to a "symbol cover." In those cases, a $200 "kill fee" will be requested. This means you will have to pay for the work done if you want us to scrap the design. After the kill fee has been paid, the previous design will be scrapped, and we will start from the beginning. The new design will be charged at standard rates, of course.
Kill Fee: Canceling the project
If you don't like our design style and don't want to work on revisions at all, and want to cancel the project after seeing the 1st draft, you won't be charged. It is our policy that a client shouldn't pay for a product she/he doesn't like or won't use.
However, this applies only if you decide to cancel after seeing the 1st draft (no revisions are made to it). If you ask for revisions and decide to cancel mid-project after we provide the revised file, you will be charged a $200 kill fee for the time spent.
Can I use the files I receive from you by email for publishing and promotion before I complete payment?
Please don’t share the drafts we send to you in the course of the cover design process, when we ask for your feedback. Those are unfinished products and for your eyes only. They are low-resolution files, sometimes not fully aligned, unpolished and show our watermark. After we agree on the final design and the payment has been made, we will send you high-resolution, watermark-free files, and this information will be stated in the email titled ‘’HANDOVER’’. The final files for sharing and use will be attached.
In the event that you want to share working drafts before payment, for example with your beta readers, or to get some feedback from your friends and colleagues, please let us know. We will come to an agreement and there won’t be any problems. :)
If I want to change text or art on the cover after final delivery of the eBook cover (and payment), is this possible?
Yes, it is possible; however, additional costs may apply.
For changes regarding the text, we won’t usually charge anything, but if you change the text multiple times, additional charges apply.
In the case of art - if you want to change the art (the whole image or specific details), additional costs apply depending on how extensive the requested changes might be.
PAPERBACK DESIGN
I ordered an eBook cover some time ago, but I want to upgrade it to a paperback now. Is that possible, and what is the price?
Yes. It’s called a “paperback add-on”. The price is the difference between the cost of an eBook cover only and the cost of eBook+paperback cover design. You can order this at any time. The turnaround time for this is 7-15 days, and there is no need to order far in advance.
Does the print cover package include a back and spine design?
For the paperback (print) cover, we use the eBook cover for the front page, and design the back cover and the spine to match it. Please, keep in mind that this means designing the back cover based on the front page of the book, using some or all of the elements used on the front page. If you want to have an entirely new back page designed (new art), we are considering it as a new cover design, and additional charges will apply. To begin with your paperback cover design, we need your paperback info (trim size, interior paper type, and final page count), your back cover text, and an author bio and author photo (if you want them on the back cover).
What if I don’t have a final page count, but I still want to order a paperback cover design?
If this is the case, we will prepare a digital paperback file for you, with an approximate page count. In this way, you will see the design, approve it, and be able to use the file as a digital paperback for promotion. Once you have the final page count, just let us know and we will set up the spine size and provide a press paperback file, ready for printing.
Please bear in mind that in this situation, we would also have to charge you the normal price for a paperback cover (adaptation for press will be free of charge).
What if I decide to change the back cover text/trim size/page count after I get the final paperback cover?
In the event that you decide to change the back cover text, additional costs will apply (starting at $25).
For page count changes, additional costs start at $25.
On the other hand, for trim size changes, additional costs start at $40.
Why is my printed copy of the book a little bit different in terms of colour and brightness compared to the way it looks on my screen?
There will always be a difference between art seen on the screen and on paper (when it's printed) because ink can never reproduce screen colours 100%.
Computer monitors and mobile screens give off a coloured light known as RGB, while the colour model in printed materials is known as CMYK (for coloured ink). You shouldn't expect to have a 100% colour match in print because the screen displays many more colours than what is available in the press. Considering the fact that more than 90% of book sales are in eBook format, we make sure that the cover looks best on screen.
PACKAGES AND PROMO MATERIALS
Can I order an eBook only first, and then add a print cover and/or marketing promo files later?
Yes, you can add any of our packages (fantasy maps, promo packages...) at any time.
When ordering eBook social or Print social packages, do social kit files come with a new design, different from my book?
All our marketing and promo packages include the creation of a promo file based on the book cover that we’ve already designed, without any changes to the art. If you want to have new art created for your promo files, this will require extra time and effort from our designer, as well as photo-manipulation of new items on existing cover art. For that reason, additional charges apply, starting at $35 (the final price depends on the scope of additional work).
And what if I already have a book cover, and I just need marketing/promo files designed?
Not a problem. We can create any of our marketing packages (social kit, MKTG15, MKTG35, teaser pack, bookmark, postcard etc.) based on the cover you already have. In the event that you want us to use art from the book, we would ask you to provide a high-resolution front cover page without text on it. Another option, if you cannot obtain a text-free cover image, would be to design promo files with new art/stock images for a background to match the style and feel of your book.
Can I order one MKTG package (MKTG 15 or MKTG35) for the series, in such a way as to have separate files for the various books (a few files for each book)?
MKTG packages include different sizes and designs for the banners, but these are based on one cover. This means that you can order the MKTG package for one book, whereby we will use the cover art created for that book, or you can order the MKTG package for the whole series, but this will mean that we will use ONE art background (from one of the books in the series). It is not possible to have files with different designs as a part of the same package (i.e. different backgrounds).
With regard to the fantasy map, can I order that separately from the book cover design? Is there anything I need to provide for you?
Of course. All our promo packages and maps can be ordered separately. For the fantasy map, we usually work with the author’s drawing (by hand, very basic) and use it as a basis for the map design. The price depends on the size and level of detail of the map, and we can give you an exact quote only after we see your drawing.
With regard to the Author Logo, what is the design process?
For logo design, we first need to know more about you and your books. We will send you a brief logo questionnaire to fill out, and as soon as we have all the necessary info, we will begin the design process.
We will first provide you with a few options (6-8) for different logo styles. After we agree on the logo style, we will propose different font treatments, and the last step is to present various colour options. In the final files you receive your logo in 4 different colours (black, white and 2 optional colours) and in 2-3 different versions of the shape (long logo, short logo, logo with initials). You’ll receive high-resolution PNG files, as well as editable vector files.
PAYMENT AND COPYRIGHT
After I buy the cover, do I own all the rights to the art? Can I use it for anything I need?
Upon receipt of full payment, Deranged Doctor Design grants the client an exclusive license to use the final cover design artwork.
We can't transfer the full ownership to you, since there are stock photos used for design purposes, and the photographers who took them are the owners of the photos. Cover designers can only purchase the license to use stock photos.
Our cover design packages include stock photos that are purchased under a Standard License, and cover the usage for ebook and paperback covers. If you want to use the cover in any other way (to print on mugs or T-shirts, etc.), please make sure you read the Shutterstock License Agreement so you'll know if the usage you have in mind is covered, or if you need to purchase an Extended License.
The client agrees to abide by the terms of any license agreement for any stock images purchased by Deranged Doctor Design through a third-party image provider for use in the client’s book cover design. The cost of cover design includes the standard license (www.shutterstock.com/license-comparison ). Images used for a client’s cover are royalty-free; however, the photographer owns the copyright to those photographs.
After payment has been made, the cover is yours to use under the Shutterstock Standard License terms of use.
A Standard License will provide you with 500,000 eBooks, paperbacks and audiobooks.
If you exceed sales of 500,000 books, it becomes necessary for the author to purchase an Extended License for each photo playing a major role on the cover (approx. $89 per photo).
Upon receipt of full payment, Deranged Doctor Design grants the client an exclusive license to use the final cover design artwork.
We can't transfer the full ownership to you, since there are stock photos used for design purposes, and the photographers who took them are the owners of the photos. Cover designers can only purchase the license to use stock photos.
Our cover design packages include stock photos that are purchased under a Standard License, and cover the usage for ebook and paperback covers. If you want to use the cover in any other way (to print on mugs or T-shirts, etc.), please make sure you read the Shutterstock License Agreement so you'll know if the usage you have in mind is covered, or if you need to purchase an Extended License.
The client agrees to abide by the terms of any license agreement for any stock images purchased by Deranged Doctor Design through a third-party image provider for use in the client’s book cover design. The cost of cover design includes the standard license (www.shutterstock.com/license-comparison ). Images used for a client’s cover are royalty-free; however, the photographer owns the copyright to those photographs.
After payment has been made, the cover is yours to use under the Shutterstock Standard License terms of use.
A Standard License will provide you with 500,000 eBooks, paperbacks and audiobooks.
If you exceed sales of 500,000 books, it becomes necessary for the author to purchase an Extended License for each photo playing a major role on the cover (approx. $89 per photo).
Does hiring you count as purchasing goods, or do I need to send you tax forms at the end of the year?
You are buying a service, yes, but considering the fact that we are located in Europe (registered here and paying our taxes here) and have no connection whatsoever to US taxes, there is no need to send us papers of any kind.
What if I want to design my own banner, using the book renders or cover art designed by you, or simply use the banner you created and add some text or elements of my own? Would that represent a violation of any kind of copyright?
No, it wouldn’t. You can use our art to create your own banners, or you can place our 3D cover on any other banner (designed by you or somebody else), as long as you don’t say (or make it look like) somebody else designed the book cover.
Is it possible to get a PSD (Photoshop) file of my cover?
There are 2 options:
- You can request a PSD file where TEXT layers are editable, while art layers are flattened (non-editable). The price is $150 per file.
- You can request a PSD file where both the TEXT and ART layers are editable. The price is $1500 per file.
Are there any discounts for returning customers or series designs?
We don’t have a special discount for returning customers, or for series orders. However, we offer bulk order discounts for ordering 3 or more covers at the same time:
- 10% discount on eBook covers & packages or
- 15% discount on eBook + paperback covers and packages
**those discounts apply only if you order 3 or more covers to be designed at the same time (meaning the designer will work on all 3+ covers together, within the same time frame). For series parts that will be ordered/designed separately (with a pause between them) the discount doesn't apply.
Can I pay by credit card or in any other way, instead of using PayPal?
No. We only accept payments via PayPal.
How can I credit DDD for the service?
Crediting DDD on your book's copyright page is mandatory. Please include “Cover design by Deranged Doctor Design”. In an ebook, please include a link to our website www.derangeddoctordesign.com
If you still have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly
via email: [email protected]
