Best Affordable Book Cover Options for Indie Authors

It’s one thing to have a big budget for your book as an established author, but it’s a completely different story when you’re just starting out your writing career. You might not have a publisher backing yet, and you’re probably not even sure how well the book will sell. Yet, you still want to have the best book cover possible.

While it’s true that with limited finances it can be tough to get a high-quality unique cover, there are still good budget-friendly options for indie authors. That’s what I’m gonna talk about today. And as a professional illustrator I will share what I believe is the best option.

Budget-Friendly Options for Indie Authors

If you’re not ready to spend a significant amount on your book cover, don’t worry – there are still places to go, and artists to find. You can still hire designers/illustrators willing to do the job for a very modest commission fee.

But even for a low-budget you need to decide on the top sum you’re willing to spend. After all, what’s considered a low-budget can be different for everyone. So start with that. Realistically, though, there are two options for tight finances:

1. Freelance Marketplaces

If you are willing to spend no more than $10 – $100, then your best bet is going to be freelance marketplaces. Websites like Fiverr, Upwork and Freelancer have plenty of designers who offer book covers for this price range.

2. Social media platforms

In your budget is a bit more, around $200 – $300, then you should check social media platforms and publishing/writing communities.

There are plenty of Facebook Groups where you can find artists posting their works, and writers sharing their covers and recommendations for artists who they worked with.

Then there’s Instagram, Behance and Dribbble, where artists showcase their portfolios. Socials is a great way to see current trends, and to find artists who are available for short and long-term projects.

I’ve discussed the Pros and Cons of each of these places in this guide Finding a book cover designer based on you budget. Feel free to check it out for more detailed info.

The Best Affordable Option

So, what is the better choice between Freelance Marketplaces and Social Media Platforms?

In my experience, social media platforms like Behance and Instagram are a much better option. Even if your budget is just $100 (which is typically more suitable for freelance marketplaces), I still recommend exploring social media platforms.

There are a couple of reasons for this:

• First, while places like Fiverr, Upwork do offer lowers prices, there’ s way too much stock imagery and AI-generated “art” there. Neither of which is well suited for a book cover if you want something unique, and you don’t want to worry about copyright/licensing issues.
• Secondly, these social media platforms have hundreds of aspiring artists who may have the latent and skills to create great-looking covers, but lack exposure. To build a stronger portfolio, many of them are often willing to take on projects at below-market rates.

So, as an indie writer, the key for you is to connect with such artists. After you find those whose work impresses you, contact them directly and pitch you offer. You might be surprised how many will agree to your offer.

Think about it, this is a win-win situation for both parties: you get to release your first book without spending much, and the designer/illustrator gets the opportunity to create a real artwork that could potentially bring them more future clients.

I know this firsthand, as I started the same way when I changed my career path, and began to work as a full-time illustrator. Many of my early clients found me through Instagram. And back then I also took on projects that weren’t exactly jackpots, but they did help me build my name in the industry.

For Instagram specifically, use these hashtags when searching for artwork/artists: #freelanceillustrator #bookcoverart #bookcoverartist #bookillustration #bookcoverdesign

Secret Trick to Cut Book Cover Costs

Typically, authors assume the commission fee is set in stone, but that’s not always so. You can always try and negotiate it a bit (while being reasonable, of course). Many factors influence the cost of book cover design, and if you understand them it gives you room to negotiate. If you know what determines the price, you can ask the artist if adjusting certain factors could lower the cost.

For example, you can ask if moving the deadline to a further date might help lowering a price. Because as a rule of thumb – urgent project cost premium. And how much time an artist has to work on the project can make a significant difference in how they price their work.

Another option is simplifying the design. If you have an alternative concept that reduces the complexity of the book cover – it’s also worth discussing with the artist, as it may directly effect the price.

I have covered these and other factors in detail here: “How Much Does a Book Cover Design Cost?”, be sure to read it as well.

Why I Do Not Recommend Canva

If you want to save as much money as possible, you might go with a complete DIY route – you can design a book cover all by yourself.

There are many video tutorials on how to create a book cover using graphic design platforms like Canva, which is available in a free version. There are also paid versions (Pro and Teams) with more templates and assets, but theoretically you could do it without spending anything at all.

But the problem with platforms like Canva is that they still require at least basic design skills. And that’s not something everyone has. On top of it you also need to have a good eye for design, illustration and art in general. It’s much harder to create something from scratch and make it look great than it seems.

But that’s not all – even if you have artistic talent, Canva relies on third-party assets, which can cause copyright issues. If you create an entirely original design using only your own elements, you own the copyright. However, if you use and incorporate stock content or design elements from Canva’s library, your usage rights are subject to their licensing terms. This means you might not have full control over how your book cover can be used or distributed.

Conclusion

If you’re an author and you want to hire a designer/illustrator to create a unique standout cover for your book, I highly recommend searching social media platforms for artists who are willing to take on such a task for a very moderate price.

Unlike freelance marketplaces, you have a chance of finding a specialist who will put more time and effort for a slightly higher commission fee, and in the end you can get a higher quality cover. The trick is to find an upcoming artist, who is trying to build their portfolio, even if it means taking project below market value.