How much does a book cover illustration cost in the UK?

A custom book cover usually costs anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand pounds or dollars, depending on who's publishing it and what rights are included. For self-published books, Reedsy's analysis of 9,600+ cover projects in 2025 found an average of $880, with most projects between $625 and $1,250, and illustrated covers typically quoted at $900–$1,500+. On the traditional side, UK cover designer-illustrator Micaela Alcaino wrote in 2023 that she pushes for a minimum of £1,200 for UK and Commonwealth English rights, and argues world rights should be £3,000+.

I'm Krzysztof, founder of Art Licence Studio. Below I'll explain where those numbers come from, what moves the price, and how to brief so the quotes you get are comparable.

The benchmarks at a glance

There is no official UK rate card for book covers. Fee recommendations are tricky for trade bodies: the Society of Authors notes that competition law stops it recommending rates, so it publishes observed rates and points to the AOI instead. Here's what's publicly available:

Note that the Reedsy figures are in US dollars and come from an international marketplace. I haven't found a solid, sourced pound-sterling range for independent UK illustrators working directly with self-published authors.

Why there's no single price: you're buying a licence

The Association of Illustrators explains that when you commission illustration, you buy a licence rather than the artwork itself. The illustrator keeps the copyright, and the fee reflects how the image will be used, not just the hours it takes. To quote, they need four things from you:

• Territory: UK only, UK and Commonwealth, North America, or worldwide.
• Duration: how long you'll use it.
• Usage: ebook, paperback, hardback, audiobook, marketing, merchandise.
• Client: a self-publishing author and a large publisher are different budgets.

For covers specifically, the AOI's book covers guide says cover illustrations are usually paid as a flat fee, not a royalty. The terms normally set out the territory and whether the fee covers all editions or only the first (for example, hardback), and cover fees usually include using the image in marketing at no extra cost. It also notes that US publishers have traditionally paid more because they release into a wider territory.

What moves the price

If you want to compare licence types side by side, our licence types guide and which licence is right cover the basics.

Self-published vs traditional publishing: who pays what?

Traditional publishing. If a publisher acquires your book, the publisher commissions and pays for the cover. Authors don't usually pay for it. The AOI describes how a designer or art director at the publisher finds illustrators, briefs them, and sends a contract before work starts. Alcaino's 2023 article suggests UK publisher fees for UK and Commonwealth rights have barely moved in a decade, and that publishers increasingly ask for world rights for the same fee. If you work in-house at a smaller press, that's worth knowing: being clear about territory is the easiest way to keep a quote within budget.

Self-publishing. You are the publisher, so you commission the cover, agree the licence and pay the fee. The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) encourages indie authors to hire a professional designer where they can. It says pre-made covers are a respectable budget choice for standalone books but aren't designed for your specific book. It also advises getting a clear quote in advance that states how many revision rounds are included.

In practice, a self-published author usually needs a broader licence than a traditional cover deal: ebook, print, audiobook, ads and social posts, often worldwide because Amazon and other retailers sell globally. Say so in your brief.

Children's book covers and illustration

For a children's book, check whether you need a cover only or a fully illustrated book. These are priced very differently.

• Cover only. Reedsy's 2025 data puts the median picture-book cover at $470, middle grade at $700 and young adult at $900 (Reedsy).
• Fully illustrated picture book. The AOI's publishing contracts guide says a typical picture book is 16 double-page spreads plus a cover, likely to be at least two or three months' work. Traditional publishers usually pay an advance against royalties. The AOI cites royalties of 9–10% of recommended retail price to an author-illustrator, or about half that when the illustrator works with a separate author.

If you're self-publishing a picture book, expect to agree a fee for the full set of illustrations rather than a royalty. Ask the illustrator to quote cover and interiors separately so you can see where the money goes.

What to put in writing

The AOI says every commission should have a written agreement that covers, at minimum, the fee, the deadlines for roughs and finished artwork, and the licence. I'd add:

1. Formats and editions: ebook, paperback, hardback, audiobook, large print, translations.
2. Territory and term: where you can sell, and for how long.
3. Marketing use: ads, social posts, merchandise. Merch is often priced separately.
4. Revisions: the AOI notes the fee usually includes up to three revisions of roughs, with further revisions charged at an agreed rate.
5. Rejection and cancellation: the AOI's standard figures are 25% of the fee if work is rejected at rough stage, 33–50% if rejected on delivery, and 100% if you cancel once the artwork is delivered.
6. Credit: how the illustrator is credited on the cover or copyright page.
7. Copyright: the illustrator keeps it unless you agree, in writing, to buy it. A copyright transfer (an assignment) needs a written, signed contract, according to the UK IPO.

On Art Licence Studio, the usage, territory, term and exclusivity are recorded in each deal, and you get a licence record and a receipt. Payments go through Stripe.

Worked example (illustrative)

This is a hypothetical example to show how scoping changes a quote. The prices quoted are not market rates.

A self-publishing author is preparing a fantasy novel. Their first brief says "cover illustration, all rights", and the quotes they get back vary widely because each illustrator reads "all rights" differently.

They rewrite the brief:

• Exclusive licence for the book cover, all editions of this title
• Formats: ebook, paperback wrap and audiobook square
• Territory: worldwide (the book sells on global retailers)
• Term: for as long as the book is in print or on sale
• Marketing use: ads and social posts included; merchandise excluded and to be priced separately if needed
• Two concepts, three rounds of revisions on roughs
• Deadline: twelve weeks before launch

The quotes are now like-for-like. The author can see that dropping the second concept is the easiest way to save money, and leaves out merchandise rather than paying for it up front.

FAQ

How much does it cost to commission a book cover in the UK?

For self-published books, Reedsy's 2025 data shows most cover projects between $625 and $1,250, and illustrated covers typically $900–$1,500+. For UK publisher commissions, one established designer-illustrator reported in 2023 pushing for at least £1,200 for UK and Commonwealth rights.

Do book cover illustrators get royalties?

Usually not. The AOI says cover illustration is normally a flat fee, and royalties are generally reserved for heavily illustrated books.

Do I own the copyright to my book cover?

Not automatically. The illustrator keeps copyright and grants you a licence. To own it, you need a written, signed assignment (UK IPO), and you should expect to pay more for it.

Is a children's book cover cheaper than an adult cover?

A cover-only commission can be. Reedsy's 2025 median for a picture-book cover is $470. A fully illustrated picture book is a much bigger job: the AOI describes 16 spreads plus a cover and several months' work.

Why do world rights cost more?

Because the publisher can use the artwork in every market, and the illustrator gives up the chance to license it to overseas editions separately (Alcaino, 2023).

Get proposals for your cover

If you know your formats, territory and deadline, you're ready to brief. Post a brief on Art Licence Studio and compare proposals from independent illustrators, each with the licence terms written into the agreement. It's free to join. See /pricing for how fees work and our pricing guide for more on budgeting.

This is general information, not legal advice.