How to Choose the Right Book Cover Designer (Even If You’ve Never Hired One Before)

Your book is done. Your nerves are shot. And now it’s time to pick someone to design the cover. No pressure, right?

Let’s make it easier.

Whether you’re indie or traditionally published, your book cover will do most of the selling—before anyone reads a single word. Choosing the right designer can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never done it before. Here’s how to make a smart choice without second-guessing yourself.

1. Know what you’re paying for

Good design isn’t just about making something “look cool.” A pro cover designer understands:

• Genre signals (so readers instantly know what they’re looking at)

• Typography and layout that works at full size and thumbnail

• Reader psychology and how covers influence decisions

• Print + digital requirements (KDP, IngramSpark, offset, etc.)

• A great designer will guide you through all this without making you feel dumb.

2. Look at their portfolio

You don’t need to be a design expert. Just ask yourself:

• Do their covers look professional and polished?

• Do they work in your genre?

• Do the covers feel like real books you’d see on Amazon or in stores?

• Bonus tip: If you’re not sure, go to your genre’s bestseller list and compare. Do their covers hold up?

3. Ask how the process works

A reliable designer will clearly explain:

• What they need from you

• How many concepts you’ll get

• How revisions are handled

• What’s included in the final files (print + ebook? spine + back?)

• Turnaround time

  
  

If you feel confused or kept in the dark—that’s a red flag.

4. Don’t chase cheap

Design is not the place to cut corners. You can’t afford a cover that makes readers scroll past.

If someone’s charging suspiciously low rates, you’re likely getting:

• A rushed job

• A template slapped together

• Zero support if something goes wrong

You don’t need to hire the most expensive person—but you do need someone who values your book as much as you do.

5. Trust your gut

You’re not just hiring a skillset. You’re hiring a person. If you feel ignored, rushed, or talked down to? Walk away.

The right designer will make you feel:

• Heard

• Respected

• Excited about your book

• That matters more than you think.

What we do

We’ve worked with both indie authors and big publishers.

Six+ years in, we’ve seen what works—and what tanks.

We don’t do templates. We don’t vanish mid-project. We answer your emails.

We design covers that sell books.

If you’re looking for a team that’s creative, honest, and knows how to make your story shine—you’ve found us.

→ See our work

→ Let’s talk