We’re sure you have questions about our services. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions.
What is the difference between book cover design and interior book design?
Cover design is the outside of the book: the title, author name, imagery and typography on the front, spine and back. Interior design, also called formatting, is the inside: page layout, margins, fonts, chapter openings, headers and page numbers. The cover attracts the reader, and the interior keeps them reading comfortably.
Do you offer both cover and interior design services?
Yes. Book Pattern designs book covers, formats book interiors for print, and converts books into ebook (ePub) files. You can choose the services you need, for one book or a whole series.
How long does the book design process typically take?
The time depends on the complexity of the book and the number of revision rounds. When you request a quote, tell us your deadline and we will give you a schedule estimate before work begins.
What information do you need to create a book cover design?
We need your book's title, author name, genre, target audience, and any themes, scenes or ideas you have in mind. For a print cover, also share the trim size and page count, because they set the size of the spine and back cover.
Can I provide my own images for the book cover?
Yes. We can build your cover around images you provide. They should be high resolution, and you need the right to use them on a book. If you do not have an image, the Author's Signature cover package includes a stock image.
How many design options will I receive?
The Author's Signature cover package includes 2 to 4 unique design concepts and 2 to 4 rounds of revisions. You choose the concept you like best, and we refine it with you until it is ready.
What makes a good book cover?
A good book cover tells the reader the genre at a glance and stays readable when small. It has one clear focal image, a title with strong contrast, and colour and lettering that match the genre. A fantasy cover often uses a dramatic sky, symbol or character, while a romance cover leans on warm colour and elegant type. Book Pattern designs for your genre and your reader, never from a template.
What size should a book cover be for Amazon KDP?
A print cover is made to exact dimensions that depend on the trim size, page count and paper type, because the spine gets wider as the page count grows. Amazon KDP provides a cover calculator and template for this. A common paperback trim size is 6 x 9 inches. For ebooks, Amazon recommends a height-to-width ratio of 1.6 to 1, for example 2,560 x 1,600 pixels. Share your trim size and page count when you start, and we build the cover to match.
How should a book cover look as a small thumbnail?
Most readers first see a cover as a small image in an online store, often about an inch wide. At that size, fine detail disappears. Use a large, high-contrast title, keep the main image simple, and avoid thin or decorative lettering. A quick test: shrink the cover to about one inch wide and check that you can still read the title and recognise the genre. Book Pattern designs titles to stay readable at thumbnail size.
Can I redesign the cover of a book that is already published?
Yes. A new cover can be made for a book that is already on sale. Share the title, the genre and the reason for the change, for example a dated look or weak sales. The new cover is then uploaded to each platform where the book is sold. For print editions, it must match the existing trim size and page count.
What factors do you consider when designing the interior of a book?
We focus on readability first: font choice, text size, line spacing and margins. We also match the interior style to the cover, follow the conventions of your genre, and set up the pages so they print cleanly.
Can I request specific fonts or layout styles?
Yes. Tell us the fonts or layout styles you like and we will use them where we can. If a font is hard to read in print or on an ebook reader, we will suggest a close alternative.
How do you handle images and graphics within the book?
Images, graphs and tables are placed within the text so they sit next to the passages they support. The Chapter Craft interior package includes images, graphs and tables.
How do you determine the cost of your book design services?
Our packages start at $149 for cover design (Author's Signature), $99 for interior formatting (Chapter Craft) and $79 for ebook formatting (Polished Pro). The final cost depends on the scope of your project, your page count and any extra features. See the pricing page, or request a quote for your book.
What is the typical process for working with your design team?
For a cover, there are three steps. First, you share your book details and your vision. Second, you receive a sample design to review, and we revise it with your feedback. Third, we proof the design, and once you approve it, we email you the final cover. Interior formatting follows the same pattern: we align on your vision, prepare layout drafts and refine them, then deliver the print-ready interior and ebook files.
Do you offer rush services for urgent projects?
Yes. Tell us your deadline when you request a quote. We check whether it is possible and confirm before work begins.
How much does a book cover cost?
Book Pattern's cover design package, Author's Signature, starts at $149. It includes 2 to 4 unique design concepts, 2 to 4 rounds of revisions, a press-ready file and a stock image. See the pricing page for current details, or request a quote for your book.
Can I use any image on my book cover?
No. Most images found online are protected by copyright. For a book cover, use an image you created, a photo you took, an image licensed from a stock site, or an image in the public domain, and keep the licence record. "Royalty-free" means you pay once and use the image under the licence terms. It does not mean there are no limits, so check that the licence allows book covers, print runs and resale. The Author's Signature package includes a stock image.
Can I use AI-generated images on my book cover?
It depends on the AI tool and the platform. Check the tool's terms to confirm commercial use is allowed. Amazon KDP also asks publishers to state when content is AI-generated. Some readers and retailers prefer covers made with real photos or licensed art, so Book Pattern recommends those where possible.