OUR PROCESS
CUSTOM BOOK COVERS
Last updated 03/07/2025
Step 1: LET'S GET STARTED
You took a look and decided that we're a great fit for each other! So exciting. You're probably here for some guidance on what to expect. Let's dive right in.
You probably received an email with a link to this page. After you read all the important information in that email and are interested in moving forward, please share with us a bit more about your project, deadlines, and preferred booking date- anything important to know to make sure we're a good fit!
Also, please take a look at our Terms and Conditions, as it has very important information about our business and how we operate. It's pretty standard but if you have additional questions you might find answers there!
Step 2: 1, 2, 3... CONTRACT, DEPOSIT AND FORM
Once we have agreed on a date and we're moving forward, we have three important steps.
To secure your booking, we'd both need to sign a contract so we are on the same page with everything. Please review your contract and let us know if you have any questions at all. The contract is pretty standard.
Once you sign your contract, we will sign it and send an invoice for the "payment plan". The payment plan consists of 1. Deposit, and 2. Final Payment. Only the deposit is needed to secure your booking slot.
Once both steps are complete, YOUR BOOKING IS SECURED! So exciting!
And lastly, we will also send a link to a form for you to fill out with all your preferences, blurb, taglines, a little about the story, characters, design preferences and cover references.
Don't fret if you're not sure about something, especially if you don't have the final page count or aren't sure about the paperback specs. Just type an estimate, and we will get in touch if any info is needed to get started.
You can ALWAYS email me at gisel@neptunebookdesigns.com
Step 3: IT'S TIME!
Fun begins! It's the date of your booking, and you're excited to see your book cover! You will receive an email from us to let you know we will be working on your cover in the next few days. I will start drafting our first concept with the instructions given in the form.
The first proof will be an UNFINISHED version, and its purpose is to ensure we're heading in the right direction.
Typography, layout, elements, coloring, etc.
Please, don't hold back and let us know what to change, add, remove, or tweak; give us references and any other type of guidance. We want it perfect for you!
Please let us know if this concept is far from what you're picturing and if the artwork direction is not the desired one. This stage is when we can make all major changes before further design work is done.
It's very common for the first concept to not be what was envisioned since we're just getting our toes wet; that's the main reason why we offer a second concept if the first one doesn't work out. We got you! Let us know what to avoid, what to add, what to keep, or anything that can give us a better direction for the main concept idea. I will work on this with you to make sure we have the right concept, so please don't be shy; feedback is super important at this stage.
Once we've received feedback, we'll get to work on it again!
Step 4: SECOND PROOF
Once we have the right concept and/or necessary tweaks are made, we'll send a second proof. This one will be a lot more polished.
Again, feel free to keep sharing your thoughts! Any additional info that might work for the design if something is missing.
We should be getting closer to the right design! We will send updated proofs until we get it right where we want it.
Please keep in mind that all cover design services have a limit of 15 revisions unless previously discussed. Typically, it only takes about 4-5 revisions to get it perfect. But we like to offer more just in case!
Step 5: FINAL APPROVAL AND FINAL PAYMENT
We'll tweak and polish it until you say, "IT'S PERFECT!" and both of us will probably be VERY excited cause we just created greatness.
Final design approval means final payment, so we have this out of the way! Please note that no final files will be sent until the final payment is made.
Once the final payment is processed, I will move on to work on any other graphics and add-ons. If you bought a package, you will receive a short form link to submit quotes, calls to actions, and anything necessary for the graphics.
If the blurb and paperback specs aren't defined yet, that's ok! I will mark them as pending, and I will send all other final files. We take about 3-7 business days to export and send all final files.
If you want to add anything else, like teasers, promo videos, banners, etc. I'm more than happy to add these to your order, and I can start right away!
This is subject to availability, but 95% of the time, I can accommodate all requests!
Step 6: FINAL FILES
Once everything is ready to go, I'll share a Google Drive folder link to all final files compressed in a ZIP folder.
IMPORTANT: Please, make sure to download all of these as soon as possible as these won't be available forever.
You will for sure have these files available to download for 120 days.
If for any reason you can't download these, we can email you the files.
We are here for any questions or concerns, so feel free to get in touch if you have any issues!
If we have files pending cause we still need the final paperback specs, blurb, quotes, dates, etc., you can email us anytime with the necessary info to finalize these files and we will send them ASAP.
Step 10: DONE!
We should be all done! If you added any extras to your order we will finalize those but your pretty book cover is all done and ready to shine!
We cannot wait to see it everywhere! Make sure to tag us whenever you post it on social media, we would love to give you some support and love!
Instagram: @neptunedesignsl
Facebook: Neptune Designs
