If you decide to order the ebook and print designs separately, the minimum price of the print layout will start at $70, but is typically closer to $100. Bundled pricing (ebook + print) is available at +$50 to the price of whichever package (Custom or PreMade) you’ve chosen and proofed together with the ebook.
We have developed a design process specifically for bundling so that we can finalize the ebook cover together long before all the print details are ready. This way, you will have the front cover (ebook) art available for promo and other pre-release work. And then we’ll export the print layout later, when you have confirmed the final details. (Visit the How it Works page to see a more thorough outline of this process.)
To get started on a print design, we’ll need a few preliminary details from you, like the trim size. Check out the Preliminary Print Form to see the full list.
Here is a preview of the print info that we’ll need during the process. Please note, only the first few items are necessary to start designing!
- What the book’s trim size will be (for example: 6×9)
- What company you’re printing with (Amazon KDP/CreateSpace, LightningSource or IngramSpark)*
- What color paper you will print on (cream or white). Cream paper is thicker than white paper, so this will effect the final spine size.
- The final page count (this can be a guesstimate to start with). The fully formatted, ready-to-print page count of your manuscript will determine the final spine width.
- The back cover blurb
- Optional: Any other details you’d like on the back, like links to your website or social media, a brief author bio (one or two sentences), or author photo (must be 500×500 pixels @ 300dpi at minimum). Please note that space will be tight on smaller trim sizes, so please consider an About the Author interior page instead.
- For Lightning Source or IngramSpark ONLY, we’ll also need: 1) The ISBN, 2) The price, if you’d like it embedded in the barcode on the back cover, 3) Gloss or Matte finish on the cover
If the spine size, back text, etc. are still pending during the proofs, we’ll develop the design together like normal with the information submitted via the Preliminary Form. Once approval goes through**, the ebook JPGs will be finalized and emailed to you. At that point, the print layout will be saved until all pertinent details are finalized (page count, back text, etc). Then when you have the details ready, send the details via the Final Print Form. We will update the approved version of the print layout at that point and send the final, print-ready PDF within 1-3 business days.
For more details on the design process, please visit the How It Works page.
If you have any questions, just send an email, or visit the FAQ. And don’t forget to review the How It Works page to learn more.
*If you’re planning to work with a different printing company, please inform us ASAP and expect an increase in the price.
**Please do not expect to receive additional proofs when the final page count and back text are ready. Be sure you are happy with the back and spine layout as well as the front cover when you submit your approval.
Print layout for Just One Kiss by Jami Wagner
Print layout for The Light Between Us by Poppy Parkes
Print layout for Once Upon a Winter by Tilly Tennant
Print Layout for Secrets on the Estate by Mel Sherratt
Print Layout for Three Girls and a Wedding by Rachel Schurig
Print layout for Dreamcatcher by Anya Monroe
Print Layout for Meet Me in the Middle by Eryn Scott
Print layout for Cocooned by Monica Mynk
Print layout for Imprint by Nicholas Adams
Print layout for Thank You for Holding by Julia Kent and Elissa Reed
Book Cover for Inside the Whispers by AJ Waines
Print layout for Lovestruck in London by Rachel Schurig
My narrator said my beautiful cover was one of the main reasons she chose to audition for my audiobook. I’m so thankful for Paper and Sage Designs! This eye-catching cover helped me get the narrator I was hoping for.
I picked up this book because of the cover but I have gotten completely hooked on SJ’s writing and her imagination. I have completed the entire series and am waiting on the next book. {Read the Full Review on Amazon}
If you’re looking for a skilled and affordable designer, look no further. The communication is excellent, and the end product will make you proud.
[Clients of P&S are] getting a quality product that’s incredibly professional and it will allow their book to stand out from all other indie books.
I gotta say that this book has SO MANY goods! Let's make a list!
1) The cover. ... I was Spellbound! It was catchy, cute, and adorable... {Read the Full Review on Goodreads}
1) The cover. ... I was Spellbound! It was catchy, cute, and adorable... {Read the Full Review on Goodreads}
I really enjoyed working with Christa. The process was easy, and she responded quickly to questions and comments. I’m really excited to show my cover to the world.
I was really impressed that Christa took the time to make sure I was satisfied… she rolled with whatever suggestions and feedback I gave her [and it] was really encouraging in terms of knowing you’re getting a quality product. Now, I’ve got a beautiful, eye-catching cover!
Christa was professional, receptive to my vision, and a true artist.
I could not be happier with the experience or the results.
I could not be happier with the experience or the results.
It was really easy and friendly from the start. Very clear instructions and everything was organised and efficient. I felt I was in safe hands!
Efficient, Professional, Creative
I picked up this book based on the outstanding cover and the intriguing blurb. {Read the Full Review on Amazon}
People should know that they are in good hands entrusting their book covers with Paper and Sage… Wonderful. Easy. Professional.
I like that I have my own week to hunker down and do the work with the cover designer. That makes it also predictable, so I know when I'm going to see something and when I'll have a cover design. The process is easy, professional, and certain...
This book was as beautifully written as the cover. By page 4 I was already held captive... {Read the Full Review on Goodreads}
Christa is a talented artist, who really listens to the author before beginning a project…Her time management and organizational skills are excellent. I was concerned that the cover wouldn’t be scary enough, but [she] took my concept and ran with it, and nailed it! It far exceeded my expectaions. I couldn’t ask for a better cover.
I think the different available services, from pre-made to the various tiers of custom work are important. As an indie author, I appreciate the ability to balance expense with the level of customization and detail.
Christa is a joy to work with.
I loved that Christa listened and took on board everything that I wanted. She worked with me to create the perfect cover for my book. She was patient and helpful.
I had a great experience working with Paper and Sage. I was feeling so frustrated after looking at dozens of sites… The covers [at P&S] are so current and original, I trust the designer’s pulse on the marketplace and that is really important to me.
The process was painless. I expressed my ideas and Christa put them into tangible form… Give her your ideas and let her do her thing. That’s all people need to know.
...Christa was amazing with responding to my emails. I asked many questions and not once did she make me feel like I was a bother. She made the entire process enjoyable and exciting. She did everything I asked and had [the premade cover] for me in under three days. All of this took away a ton of stress and I plan to work with her again.
…professional, stylish, and personable…
I’ve been looking into cover designers for a bit, and I made sure I felt my project would be in the right hands before I agreed to anything and I felt Christa was the right designer as soon as she responded back. …[She] was incredibly easy to work with! The little changes I did want, she made without any problem.
It was so easy to make changes and approve the design. Easy……Professional……Friendly.
I was initially drawn to this book because of the interesting title and excellent cover art. Very eye-catching… {Read the Full Review on Amazon}
Everything was perfect. You embraced my vision and designed an amazing cover that I can be proud of! Very professional and author friendly service!
Professional Beautiful Art
I loved the huge selection of premades. [A]ffordable and…beautifully made.
I love how I sent Christa so much information and she was able to take what I had imagined and make it so much prettier… Christa was so open about everything I sent her, never making me feel like I was too enthusiastic, but matching my excitement pretty much every step of the way.
Also I love how communicative she is. My previous experience (with a different designer) left me kind of in the dark about what was happening and I didn’t feel like I was actually a part of the process. Christa has been awesome in getting back to me in a timely manner EVERY TIME I reached out to her.
Also I love how communicative she is. My previous experience (with a different designer) left me kind of in the dark about what was happening and I didn’t feel like I was actually a part of the process. Christa has been awesome in getting back to me in a timely manner EVERY TIME I reached out to her.
[Christa] offered detailed explanation[s] of every step … and included me in every aspect of the decision making. When I did not know about dimensions for a blog ad, [she was] ready and willing to help me out without just going over my head with [her] expertise.
I fell in love with Paper and Sage the first time I visited the website, and I’ll never go anywhere else for my cover-art. Christa is the ultimate professional and I love all the covers she’s done for me, but the cover for The Standout literally stands out. So many people noticed and complimented it during my Kindle Scout campaign, and I know her work majorly contributed to my success as a Kindle Scout winner.
Easy. No hassle.
Although it bills itself as a pre-made cover outlet, P&S actually rides the line between one-on-one designer support and a straight “here’s your cover” download experience. It’s somewhere between custom and pre-made. I liked that a lot. There’s a definite need in this market for a service like that... I liked that I was able to type in a title and my name, then pass it off for a professional tweaking.
As soon as I looked at Christa’s beautiful website I knew that she would design me a perfect cover for The Memory Game. She did and it was a really easy and enjoyable process too. She is enthusiastic and friendly and a pleasure to deal with... I don’t mind saying that as an indie author, I had always designed my own covers and whilst I was happy with what I had done, as soon as I saw what could be done for me, it made me realise that the small extra cost is so worth it and I will certainly use Christa again. I’m so proud of my new cover, and I feel as though that image now adds something to the story contained within.
The cover of this book caught my attention right away and once I started reading, I wasn’t able to put this one down… {Read the Full Review on Amazon}
Working with Christa was thoroughly enjoyable! …[I]t’s easy and well worth the money!
Christa is friendly, understanding, fast, and designed a cover I simply love! The payments, proof viewing, acceptance, all of it was so easy.
I have to say that the cover of this book is what initially caught my attention, and was, ultimately, what drew me in. {Read the Full Review on Amazon}
Working with Paper and Sage was awesome – I enjoyed every minute of the collaboration. Creating covers to work well alongside each other must be hard and I could never have imagined they would come out so well, capturing the tone and the essence of The Estate Series perfectly. Christa has such an amazing vision and is fast, efficient, and above all friendly.
I could not be happier...and I will definitely come to [P&S] for book 3, as well as any other books. Thank you SO much for all of your hard work, and for seeing inside my head so brilliantly.
I’ll let you all in on a little secret: I was suckered in by the cover. I mean, just look at it. Look at how cute it is! I want a physical copy for my shelves, because it is absolutely darling. And I’m very happy to announce, that the story inside is just as lovely. This book is charming, well-written, and will hook you in from the start… {Read the Full Review on Amazon}
Thank you for making my novel come to life with your beautiful cover! …I had been shopping around for a few weeks before I realized your service was unprecedented.
My first book by Jessica Ruddick, and I have to say I was pretty impressed. I truly enjoyed this book... Not to mention, I was pulled in thanks to the GORGEOUS cover! {Read the Full Review on Goodreads}
…The beautiful cover matches the beautiful insides and I’ll definitely be recommending this one to my friends… {Read the Full Review on Amazon}
...Overall, a brilliant book and, not to mention, the cover is gorgeous. {Read the Full Review on Amazon}
…This is Christian YA at its finest starting with an amazing cover that I can’t stop looking at… {Read the Full Review on Amazon}
The cover of the book is amazing. The author of this book does really well at writing the characters… {Read the Full Review on Amazon}
I was really intrigued by this book mainly from the cover. I know you aren’t suppose to judge a book by one, but it’s gorgeous… {Read the Full Review on Amazon}
Super friendly and prompt feedback and delivery! Christa is a total joy to work with!
…Simple by Dena Nicotra has an eye-catching cover (especially the single blue eye in the mask), and an interesting blurb… {Read the Full Review on Amazon}
