Custom Cover Designs

We are not accepting new custom cover projects at this time. Thank you for understanding.

Paper & Sage schedules artwork by the week* so that we have plenty of time to work together. A more thorough outline of the process can be found on the How it Works page, so please be sure to read over that, too.

There are two packages for Custom Cover designs: Economy and Pro. Each has the option of adding a print layout (the print layout pricing below assumes an ebook + paperback print bundle purchase). The Pro package also offers several upgrade options, which will increase the time and resources spent on your cover, along with the price. Please read the outline of each option below thoroughly. If you have any questions at that point, please get in touch.

ECONOMY

Budget-Friendly Custom Covers**

Artwork uses only one stock image:
Stock image is chosen, purchased and provided by the client (though we are happy to review 2 or 3 image options you’ve chosen before the first proof)

One mock-up and up to 2 revisions

Typesetting of title, author name and other text included, as well as possible minor changes to stock (e.g.: eye color)

$150 ebook only
+$50 full paperback print layout

PRO

Creative Custom Covers**

Up to 4 stock images included:
Stock images chosen by Paper & Sage and cost included in package*** (though we always welcome suggestions or references if you find stock you like)

Up to 2 mock-ups and up to 3 revisions included

Typesetting and manipulation included.
Additional Upgrades Available. (See below).

$350 ebook only
+$50 full paperback print layout

Add-On Designs

For Promotion and Branding

Add to any order. These can be added to any cover order, including all custom or pre-made purchases.

Audio covers. Reformatted cover design for an audio book. Include a credit line for the narrator for free upon request.

Social media banners. Custom banners that meet Facebook or Twitter’s specific requirements.

…and More. We also offer bookmarks, box sets, FB ads, animated banners and more.

Print Layouts

For a Full Paperback Layout

High-quality and print-ready. We’ll design the spine and back to your book’s specifications and create an upload-ready PDF for a paperback layout.

Choose your trim size. We’ll format the dimensions for a standard trim size.  

Proof the ebook + paperback print layouts together, then finalize the paperback print specs at a later date. Learn more about how this works.

Customized for your printer. KDP and IS/LS have different requirements. We’ll design the layout to your printer’s paperback specs.

Available Upgrades

For PRO Orders

Character creation. This includes any requested changes to a model beyond hair, eye or clothing color.

Additional stock. For when more than 4 stock images are required.

Additional resources. When a specific font, brushes or other resources that aren’t stock images must be purchased for a design.

Advanced manipulation. When manipulation needs are extensive and specific.

Payment Details & Scheduling: Paper & Sage relies on a 50/50 payment plan: The first deposit, which is nonrefundable and nontransferable, secures your spot on the schedule and the final 50% will be paid when the artwork has been finalized, but before the final files are released.
*If you expect delays or other problems please notify us at least 2 weeks before the week you are scheduled. All files and other details necessary to begin designing should be delivered by your assigned deadline (typically 5-10 business days prior to the Monday your project is scheduled). Failure to have these resources ready may result in the loss of your deposit—after which a new deposit will be required to get back on the schedule. Learn more on the How it Works page.
**Prices may need to be adjusted depending upon the details of the project as well as the expected time investment and anticipated stock needs. We will notify you at the beginning of the project if the quote will differ from the above prices. If something comes up as the project develops that indicates a change in price, we will notify you as soon as possible and we can discuss how to proceed.
***The PRO option includes the price of stock photography, but please note that 1) if the cost of any one stock image exceeds $20, the excess will be billed to you and 2) once the final files are transferred to you, you are responsible to abide by the terms and conditions that apply to the purchased stock. A copy of those terms is available upon request.

Everything was perfect. You embraced my vision and designed an amazing cover that I can be proud of! Very professional and author friendly service!

Mandy Fender, Defier

Paper and Sage
2015-07-02T17:31:27-05:00

Mandy Fender, Defier

Everything was perfect. You embraced my vision and designed an amazing cover that I can be proud of! Very professional and author friendly service!
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.

Eryn Scott, A Chance for Sunny Skies (audio)

Paper and Sage
2016-01-08T17:22:23-06:00

Eryn Scott, A Chance for Sunny Skies (audio)

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.
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.

Jessica Ruddick, Birthright

Paper and Sage
2017-02-16T16:56:38-06:00

Jessica Ruddick, Birthright

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.
Working with Christa was thoroughly enjoyable! …[I]t’s easy and well worth the money!

Jo Hook, Would You Share Your Secret?

Paper and Sage
2016-06-02T17:13:24-05:00

Jo Hook, Would You Share Your Secret?

Working with Christa was thoroughly enjoyable! …[I]t’s easy and well worth the money!
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.

Dena Nicotra, The Weaver Series

Paper and Sage
2013-05-11T18:02:06-05:00

Dena Nicotra, The Weaver Series

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.
Christa was professional, receptive to my vision, and a true artist.
I could not be happier with the experience or the results.

K. Vann O’Brien, Wildfire & Avalanche

Paper and Sage
2016-06-09T17:05:43-05:00

K. Vann O’Brien, Wildfire & Avalanche

Christa was professional, receptive to my vision, and a true artist. I could not be happier with the experience or the results.
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.

Tee Smith, Collecting Scars

Paper and Sage
2016-07-08T16:59:23-05:00

Tee Smith, Collecting Scars

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.
…professional, stylish, and personable…

Rebecca Jamison, Chemistry Lessons

Paper and Sage
2016-05-26T17:13:23-05:00

Rebecca Jamison, Chemistry Lessons

…professional, stylish, and personable…
People should know that they are in good hands entrusting their book covers with Paper and Sage… Wonderful. Easy. Professional.

SJ West, Watchers & Vampire Conclave

Paper and Sage
2013-06-21T18:02:04-05:00

SJ West, Watchers & Vampire Conclave

People should know that they are in good hands entrusting their book covers with Paper and Sage… Wonderful. Easy. Professional.
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.

Jessica L Randall, Lovers’ Quarrel

Paper and Sage
2017-08-14T14:48:57-05:00

Jessica L Randall, Lovers’ Quarrel

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.
Christa is friendly, understanding, fast, and designed a cover I simply love! The payments, proof viewing, acceptance, all of it was so easy.

Eryn Scott, The What's in a Name? Series

Paper and Sage
2015-07-19T17:25:36-05:00

Eryn Scott, The What's in a Name? Series

Christa is friendly, understanding, fast, and designed a cover I simply love! The payments, proof viewing, acceptance, all of it was so easy.
Professional Beautiful Art

Janet W. Ferguson, The Southern Hearts Series

Paper and Sage
2016-07-29T14:52:26-05:00

Janet W. Ferguson, The Southern Hearts Series

Professional Beautiful Art
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.

Nicole Sobon, The Outbreak Duology

Paper and Sage
2013-12-08T17:57:40-06:00

Nicole Sobon, The Outbreak Duology

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.
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.

Laurie Baxter, A Charlie Brown Christmas & Who Does He Think He’s Fooling?

Paper and Sage
2016-12-01T14:44:25-06:00

Laurie Baxter, A Charlie Brown Christmas & Who Does He Think He’s Fooling?

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.
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.

Sharon Sant, The Memory Game

Paper and Sage
2013-05-23T18:08:17-05:00

Sharon Sant, The Memory Game

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.
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...

George Kayde, Knight in Training Pix of Me and You

Paper and Sage
2018-06-20T12:56:47-05:00

George Kayde, Knight in Training Pix of Me and You

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...
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!

A.J. Waines, Girl on a Train

Paper and Sage
2015-02-17T17:40:20-06:00

A.J. Waines, Girl on a Train

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!
[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.

Theresa Sopko, Bewilderments of the Eyes

Paper and Sage
2016-02-05T17:15:45-06:00

Theresa Sopko, Bewilderments of the Eyes

[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.
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.

Mel Sherratt, The Estate Series

Paper and Sage
2014-05-13T17:55:40-05:00

Mel Sherratt, The Estate Series

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 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.

S.M. Smith, A Boy Worth Choosing

Paper and Sage
2015-01-26T17:43:44-06:00

S.M. Smith, A Boy Worth Choosing

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.
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.

Rick Poveromo, Blood Dance

Paper and Sage
2014-05-25T17:49:31-05:00

Rick Poveromo, Blood Dance

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.
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