Before reaching out to creatives to get started, it’s important to have an idea of how much the entire process will cost and ensure that your personal budget is ready to handle upcoming expenses.
Pricing
Cost Per Project
Based on the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook Pricing & Ethical Guidelines (16th Edition), fees for the following type of projects can span the price ranges below:
Jacket or Cover Design
Hourly Rates: $45–$100+
Flat Project Fees:
Self-Published Hardcover
One Initial Concept: $300–$2,000
One Additional Concept (per sketch): $100–$600+
Voluntary Termination Fee (% of original fee): 50–60%
Self-Published Paperback
One Initial Concept: $100–$1,500
One Additional Concept (per sketch): $100–$600+
Voluntary Termination Fee* (% of original fee): 20–60%
(*Voluntary Termination Fee: On rare occasions, a project may need to be canceled before it’s finished. If this occurs, a designer or artist should still be paid for work done up until that point. Some creatives may have this stated in their contract as a “kill fee.” One example of why this may occur is a misalignment of project vision or a client’s dissatisfaction with the final work.)
Jacket/Cover Illustration
Hourly Rates: $50–$150
Flat Project Fees:
Hardcover (Small Print Run)
Front Cover: $500–$1,500
Wraparound Jacket: $800–$2,000
Hardcover (Young Adult/Chapter)
Front Cover: $1,000–$2,000
Wraparound Jacket: $1,500–$2,500
Paperback (Self-Published)
Front Cover: $250–$1,500
Wraparound Jacket: $500–$2,000
Paperback (Young Adult/Chapter)
Front Cover: $350–$1,500
Wraparound Jacket: $600–$2,500
Book Interior Illustration
Hourly Rates: $110–$400
Flat Project Fees:
Hardcover (Self-Published)
Spread: $400–$1,000
Full-page: $200–$800
½ Page: $350–$500
¼ Page/Spot: $75–$350
Interior Design
Hourly Rates: $50–$100+
Self-Published Dummy Page Markup (per page): $2–25+
Flat Project Fees:
Self-Published: $300–$3,000+
The above rates and fees were compiled from the results of a national survey of graphic artists conducted by the Graphic Artists Guild in 2020. Responses were based on rates charged in 2018 and 2019.
Disclaimer via GAG Handbook: The price ranges . . . do not constitute specific prices for particular jobs. The buyer and seller are free to negotiate, with each designer independently deciding how to price the work after taking all factors into account, including any online editions, such as e-books and downloadable electronic formats
These prices provide a very broad overview of the standard cost of design and illustration work. When hiring freelancers, be sure to reach out directly to find out their individual rates and provide as much info as possible to get an accurate quote.