Book Design Prices
Below are the base prices for book design. The actual cost of your project will be determined by the total page count, number of images, desired deadline, and any additional services requested. For a more accurate estimate for your project, please submit a request for a quote.
Download the Book Design Pricing PDF for detailed breakdowns of the labor and costs
for each level of service.
| Interior Page & Cover Design | ||
|---|---|---|
Basic: simple text layout, no images or special text formatting. |
Full Custom: $2,350 Reduced: $1,875 |
Black and white internal pages. Up to 224 pages, $3 per add'l page. Additional photos: $5 each (includes basic tonal balancing and placement). Books under 100 pages, subtract $150 from base price. Books under 50 pages, subtract $300 from base price. Includes PDF of select pages (up to 8) for posting on your Website. All files associated with book project are provided on CD or DVD. |
Mid-Range: better text formatting, placing of up to 75 images. |
Full Custom: $3,250 Reduced: $2,775 |
|
Top Shelf: specialized text formatting, placing of up to 150 photos. |
Full Custom: $4,350 Reduced: $3,900 |
|
Full Color Custom: same service as Top Shelf, but with color internal pages. |
Full Custom: $5,700 Reduced: $5,100 |
|
Book Covers |
Full Custom: Reduced: |
Includes front, back, and spine, plus Web graphics (front & back covers + angled view) for posting to your Website Final files provided on CD. |
Children's Books |
Full Custom: $1,500 Reduced: $1,125 |
Includes layout of text and images (up to 24 pages), cover design, and preparation of files for printing. Final files provided on CD/DVD. |
eBooks |
Conversion from Print: $300 eBook Design only: please ask for a quote. |
Includes the conversion of an existing book layout to Adobe PDF format. PDF file may include bookmarks and links to websites (all places to add bookmarks need to be indicated and web links must be provided). Final files provided on CD |
*Prices do not include printing, scanning, or special image requests. |
||
| Additional Services and Expenses | ||
|---|---|---|
Illustration See illustration samples. |
$75 per hour. |
Includes 2–3 rough sketches, updated sketch, final line art, and shading or color (if applicable). |
Stock Images (photos or illustrations) |
$5–$500 Price depends upon size of image, rights management, and the resource providing the image. |
Budget for images will be established with Client. Designer will locate images within Client budget and use low resolution placeholder versions of images in design layouts. Final images will be purchased when design is approved by Client. |
Figures, graphs, diagrams, or charts. |
$75 per hour. |
Graphics created from Client supplied files or sketches. |
Barcodes* |
$15 each |
Client must provide ISBN number. |
CDs/DVDs |
$25 each |
Price includes time to collect files, burning disc, and shipping via USPS First Class Mail with Delivery Confirmation. Standard delivery time 2–3 days. |
Color Proofs Color Proofs are recommended for book covers to ensure color accuracy. |
Price determined by individual print vendors and does not include shipping charges. |
Print vendor proofs can be sent either directly to Client, or to Designer first for approval and then forwarded to Client. Additional shipping charges will apply. |
Scanning |
Black & White Images: $20 per image Color Images: $30 per image Larger items for scanning, please inquire. |
Includes basic tonal balancing. High resolution JPEG files will be provided via email, FTP, or on CD/DVD. *Providing both color and black and white versions of all images adds 25% to total scanning cost. |
Print Brokering |
10% of the estimated price. |
Includes acquiring quotes and selecting most appropriate print vendor, acting as liaison between printer and Client, and seeing job through completion. |
Federal Express (FedEx) |
$35: Standard Overnight $40: Priority Overnight $20: 2-Day Delivery |
Domestic flat rate and envelope rates. Shipping rates for heavier items and packages sent outside the U.S. will be calculated on a case by case basis. |
USPS Express Mail |
$25 for proofs and disks. Bulky items will need to be calculated separately. |
Next Day or Second Day delivery. |
5% MA Sales Tax |
Calculated as needed. |
Sales tax does not apply to design services rendered. Sales tax would apply to any printing done in MA and would be included in the overall price. |
*See the Book Printers page for information on barcodes. |
||
Base Hourly Rate $75USD/hour. Minimum charge for all jobs is $150USD.
Note: Changes that fall outside the scope of the estimate are billable
at a rate of $75USD per hour.
Changes made by the client after final approval (Author's Alterations, or AA's)
are billable at a rate of $100USD per hour.
RUSH changes (24 hour turnaround) are billable at a rate of $150USD per hour.
*Minimum charge for additional changes is one hour at the applicable rate.
Note: The above prices are for design and illustration work only, and do not include
printing, mailing or shipping charges, and any applicable sales taxes.
*Charges for shipping outside the US will be separately calculated
and added to the final invoice.
*All prices subject to change without notice.
Cancellation Policy
In the event a project is cancelled after work has begun, the 50% down payment will be considered forfeit by the Client. If labor has exceeded 50% of the estimated price,
the Client will be billed for the additional labor.
Once payment is received, the Designer will furnish all files relating to the project
up to that point in time to the Client on CD or DVD.