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Self-publishing · Cover

How much does book cover design cost?

In self-publishing, you pay for book cover design. Current planning figures are free for a DIY cover, $100 to $150 for a premade cover, and about $625 to $1,250 for a professional cover. These are planning ranges for a self-published book, not a quote.

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The short answer

  1. In self-publishing, you pay for book cover design. Current planning figures are free for a DIY cover, $100 to $150 for a premade cover, and about $625 to $1,250 for a professional cover. These are planning ranges for a self-published book, not a quote.[11][19][22]
  2. Who runs production overall: You.[11][22]
  3. Upfront author cost for this route: ~$0 to $8,000+ (you pay).[11][22]
  4. Overall route timing: 3–8 months.[11][22]
  5. Cover: DIY: Free (Canva); tool-assisted: $100–$150 (premade); professional: ~$625–$1,250[11][19][22]

01

How much does a premade book cover cost versus a custom one?

These planning figures are for a self-published book, where you commission the cover. A premade cover and a professional custom cover are different purchases.[11][19][22]

  • Cover: DIY: Free (Canva); tool-assisted: $100–$150 (premade); professional: ~$625–$1,250

02

The route changes the handoff

Overall production is run by you. At the cover-design stage, you remain responsible for doing the work or hiring it out. Rights and economics for this route: you keep all rights.[11][22]

  • Choose formats and set a budget before buying individual services.
  • Get structured critique, then plan developmental, line, and proof passes in order.
  • Book cover and formatting work early enough to protect the launch date.

03

Sources behind this answer

Publishing Map uses the same canonical data and numbered sources for this answer and the full reference.[11][19][22]

  • Reedsy: How Long Does It Take to Publish a Book?
  • Reedsy: Book Cover Design Costs (2026)
  • Amazon KDP: eBook Royalty options (35% and 70%)

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