Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Book Cover Designer
- MoorBooks Design
- Jul 20
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 24
Hiring a book cover designer is an important investment, and asking the right questions before your project begins can save time, prevent misunderstandings, and help you choose the right creative partner.
Every designer works differently. Some include print files, some don't. Some offer revisions, while others charge for every change. Understanding these details before you start allows you to compare services fairly and choose the option that best fits your book and publishing goals.
This guide covers the most important questions every author should ask before hiring a book cover designer, whether you're publishing your first book or building a long-term series.
Quick Checklist
Before hiring a book cover designer, ask:
✔ What is included in the price?
✔ How many revisions are included?
✔ Do you design for both ebook and print?
✔ What does your design process look like?
✔ How long will the project take?
✔ What files will I receive?
✔ Can I order additional formats later?
Why Asking Questions Before Hiring a Book Cover Designer Matters
Choosing a designer isn't only about finding someone whose portfolio you like.
Two designers may produce equally beautiful covers, but the experience of working with them can be completely different.
Asking a few practical questions before hiring helps you understand exactly what to expect. It also reduces the chance of unexpected costs, delays, or confusion later in the project.
Professional designers welcome these conversations. In fact, clear communication at the beginning usually leads to a smoother collaboration and a better final result.
10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Book Cover Designer
Rather than focusing on price alone, use these questions to understand how the designer works and whether their process matches your expectations.
1. What Is Included in the Price?
Not every designer includes the same services.
Some offer only an ebook cover, while others include print-ready files, 3D mockups, or additional formats. Before making a decision, ask exactly what you'll receive and whether any services are available as optional add-ons.
Understanding what's included makes it much easier to compare different designers fairly.
Why this matters
Two designers may charge the same price while offering very different deliverables. Knowing exactly what's included helps you compare value, not just cost.
2. How Many Revisions Are Included?
Every cover benefits from collaboration.
Ask how revisions are handled, whether there's a limit, and what happens if you need additional changes after the initial concept has been presented.
Having this conversation early helps both you and the designer establish clear expectations.
Why this matters
A clear revision policy reduces misunderstandings and gives you confidence that there's room to refine the design without unexpected surprises.
3. What Does Your Design Process Look Like?
Every designer has a different workflow.
Some begin with sketches or concepts, while others present a fully developed design proposal. Ask how the project progresses, when feedback is collected, and what the overall timeline looks like.
A clearly explained process is often a sign of an experienced professional.
Why this matters
Knowing what happens at each stage helps you understand what to expect, keeps the project organized, and makes the entire collaboration much smoother.
4. Have You Designed Books in My Genre?
Genre knowledge isn't everything, but it matters.
Readers have certain expectations when they browse fantasy, romance, thrillers, mystery, historical fiction, or other genres. A designer who understands those expectations is better equipped to create a cover that appeals to the right audience while still feeling original.
That doesn't mean a designer can't work outside their usual genres, but it's always worth asking about their experience with books similar to yours.
See examples from different genres in our Portfolio.
Why this matters
A designer who understands your genre is more likely to recognize reader expectations, avoid common mistakes, and create a cover that feels at home in your market while still standing out.
5. Do You Design for Print as Well as Ebook?
Many authors begin with an ebook and decide to publish a paperback or hardcover later.
Ask whether your designer also prepares print-ready covers and whether they have experience with publishing platforms such as Amazon KDP or IngramSpark.
Designing for print requires more than extending the artwork. Spine width, bleed, trim size, and safe areas all need to be prepared correctly.
Why this matters
If your designer doesn't offer print services, you may need to hire someone else later to adapt the cover, adding both cost and time to your publishing process.
6. What Files Will I Receive?
Before your project begins, make sure you know exactly what will be delivered.
Ask whether you'll receive:
A high-resolution ebook cover
Print-ready files (if applicable)
3D mockups
Additional formats such as hardcover or audiobook (if ordered)
Some designers also offer editable source files as an optional add-on, while others don't provide them at all.
Why this matters
Knowing exactly what you'll receive helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures you have the files you need for publishing and marketing.
7. How Long Will the Project Take?
Every designer has a different schedule.
Ask when the project can begin, approximately how long the design process takes, and whether revisions affect the delivery timeline.
It's also worth asking how far in advance they typically book projects, especially if you're working toward a planned release date.
Why this matters
Publishing often involves editing, formatting, proofreading, and marketing. Understanding the timeline helps you coordinate every step more effectively.
8. Can I Order Additional Formats Later?
Not every author knows exactly what they'll need when the project begins.
Perhaps you'll publish an audiobook next year or decide to release a hardcover after your paperback launches.
Ask whether additional formats can be added later and how that process works.
Why this matters
Working with the same designer for future formats usually results in a more consistent brand and saves you from having to recreate the cover from scratch.
9. What Do You Need From Me Before You Start?
The quality of the final cover depends not only on the designer but also on the information you provide.
Ask whether the designer uses a creative brief and what materials they need before beginning.
This might include:
Your book title and subtitle
Genre
Story summary
Character descriptions
Visual references
Comparable books you like
Branding from previous books in a series
Why this matters
The clearer your brief, the easier it is for the designer to understand your vision and create a cover that matches your expectations.
10. What Happens If Something Changes?
Publishing is rarely a straight line.
Your page count may change, your subtitle might be updated, or you may decide to release another format after publication.
Ask how these situations are handled and whether updates are available after the project is complete.
Why this matters
Understanding the designer's update policy before you begin can save time, reduce stress, and help you plan for future changes.
Questions You Don't Need to Ask
Not every question is equally useful.
For example, asking "Can you make my cover look exactly like this bestseller?" is unlikely to lead to the best result.
Instead, focus on whether the designer understands why you like a particular cover. Is it the typography? The mood? The composition? The color palette?
The goal isn't to copy another book but to create a cover that fits your story while appealing to readers in your genre.
Likewise, instead of asking for unlimited options, ask about the designer's creative process. A thoughtful, well-developed concept is often more valuable than being presented with dozens of unrelated designs.
Conclusion
The best client-designer relationships begin with clear expectations.
Asking these questions doesn't make you a demanding client. It helps both you and your designer start the project with confidence and a shared understanding of the process.
Every designer will answer these questions a little differently, but being informed allows you to compare services fairly and choose the creative partner that's right for your book.
If you'd like to see how our design process works, learn more about our services.
Ready to Start Your Cover Project?
If you're looking for a professional cover design process with clear communication, transparent pricing, and support from concept to final files, we'd love to learn more about your book.
Wondering what separates an average cover from a truly effective one?
Read our guide: What Makes a Great Book Cover?
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