Many authors find this article and use it to get that perfect eBook cover, and I'm so happy that this is the case.
Any look at this site's articles on eBook covers will make it clear I've struggled with my covers. I don't have a lot of money, but I make it work. A lot of it comes down to having support, and with these wonderful eBook cover designers, you'll get just that.
These 10 eBook cover designers are the best of the best from my book Design Your Book: 75 eBook Cover Design Sites That Increase Amazon Sales. You can buy it exclusively on Amazon, though after this article, I don't think you really need to.
So why write a book on eBook cover sites? As I said, anyone who visits this site knows I talk a lot about book covers, and that I’ve gone through my fair share. I’m always trying to improve my own books by making new covers, and to do that I needed to research sites. Since I published a book on 75 eBook promotion sites it kind of seemed like a no-brainer.
There's also a book on eBook blog tours, and all three are bundled together in a 3-book author marketing box set that will help you get exposure and sales on Amazon.
So What Makes a Good eBook Cover Design Site?
Many of the following sites have also been profiled on eBook cover design contest sites, such as The Book Designer. Sites like that are a great place for authors to see what great designs look like, and to possibly find a designer of their own.
If you'd like to know what cover designers themselves think, I highly recommend looking at posts like The Basics: What a Cover Is and Isn't.
What really made these 10 eBook cover design sites so special was their quality. Many have very high prices, something a lot of authors just starting out can’t afford. Hell, I can’t afford most of them! But each site will really make you a magical eBook cover, and I urge you to take a look.
#1 Go On Write
The designer's named James and I've gotten several covers from him in the past (I'd say 10). In fact, he's one of my favorite people to get premades from.
He's pretty talented and friendly in my opinion, having designed more than 10,000 covers in the past three years! In fact, he's done so well that he has a sister site called VamosWrite with the same great-quality premades.
Don't let that huge amount throw you off. You can search by genre here, something that will save you lots of time when you’re browsing through lots of sites.
Authors that plan on putting out a lot of books quickly would do well using the services of this site. Premade covers will cost you just $45 but there are often sales for less (join the mailing list).
Also, if you get more covers you get a discount. For instance, 3 covers is $110 and 10 covers is $350. You can order them and then use the credits later.
He also designs other publishing-related material, such as CreateSpace wraparound covers, blog banners, publishing logos to name a few.
If you’d rather go with a custom cover you'll be happy to know that custom designs start at $200. It’s a pretty good deal because you’ll submit the images you like and then get 3 designs options back to chose from.
If you’d like fancier options you can get different package deals that save you money long-term. Many authors have mentioned the good selection here, and you'd be a fool not to stop in.
This is the site I use the most for eBook covers. I highly recommend them.
#2 Kit Foster Design
His designs often get very favorable mentions on eBook cover design sites. In fact, he’s got 6 awards listed on his site so you know he’s for real!
The site has some really beautiful designs. Premade cover prices begin at £75 and are altered to your specifications. Custom covers start at £120 for just eBooks and £150 for print and eBooks. Banner services are also available.
I think the prices here are a steal for the level of design ability you’ll be getting. And really; who doesn’t want a cover that could win an award?
#3 eBook Launch
Why did I do this?
Well, they appear in my book and they have some good covers. Premades start at $99, though I wish they had more to choose from.
They probably don't because the designers specialize in custom covers. These will run you $249 for a dynamic cover and $379 for a premium cover. You can check out gallery designs of both.
All in all, if you have a lot of money to spend, this is a good site. Give them a look and see what they can do for you.
#4 eBook Cover Expert
Its owner/creative director has years of experience designing movie posters for blockbuster film studios such as Paramount, Sony, HBO and more.
Ebook Cover Expert doesn’t offer pre made covers as everything is made specifically for the author and their story.
After seeing so many poorly designed covers across Amazon and other platforms the site decided to start their own ebook cover service that offered exceptionally well crafted covers for an affordable price.
Covers start at $189 and marketing materials are offered as well for an additional cost. Exceptionally custom/illustrated covers can be purchased for $349 and are executed with the kind of expertise only someone with his experience in entertainment can offer.
Ebook Cover Expert understands that designing for ebook covers is unlike designing for print and concentrates on legibility and eye catching design.
Among a web page full of ebook cover thumbnails, Ebook Cover Expert's designs are certain to stand out from the crowd.
#5 Creative Indie Covers
The samples on the site attest to this, and I think you’ll be pretty impressed. What impressed me even more, however, was the makeover feature the site offers.
If you have a mediocre cover that’s just not doing its job, Derek will redo it for you professionally. What’s more, one lucky author a month gets this done for free!
The prices on the site are a little too expensive for many authors, but for others they’re just right. There are several creative pricing packages you can get here, and each offers something different.
For a simple eBook cover you’ll want the Picasso package, which costs $349. Something a little more complex might require the Dali package at $449.
When you get up into print cover options you’re looking at the Davinci package for $549 or the Warhol package for $849.
Bottom line: this is a great site that established authors and those with higher budgets shouldn’t pass up!
#6 Damonza
The designs look good and there are lots of options here for authors looking to upgrade. Of all the sites I looked at for this book, Damon Za has some of the best designs!
The site provides 2 cover designs for you to choose from, and they’ll get those to you within about 12 days of your order. Remember, you might be selling well now, so take some of those monthly earnings and roll them back into your books.
Even books selling well could be selling spectacularly with just a few hundred dollars invested in a new cover. And if I had a few hundred dollars to invest I’d be contacting this site!
#7 eBook Indie Covers
First of all, the choices you have are great. They have a ton of premade and sale stock covers, and the quality is good. Second, the prices are just outstanding, something new authors should take note of.
Premade sale covers begin at just $16, and that includes a large selection of erotica covers. I’m not going to lie to you; the site does seem to cater to women and the romance genre in particular.
Regular Premade covers go for $40 and custom eBook covers start around $120. There are also tons of extras like trailers, banners, and 3D covers. Worth a look!
#8 Alchemy Book Covers & Design
The most expensive of all is $75. I was really impressed by the quality, and that makes me think the custom covers beginning at $100 would be really great.
The site also gives you a lot of little extras to choose from, such as banner ads and audio books. They also offer discounts on series if you have a few books planned.
Looking at the covers on this site made me want to buy one just so I could write a book for it. Check them out and see if you feel the same way!
#9 Vila Design
If you’re on a budget you’ll love that their simple, regular, and premium covers are all under $100. There are other options to choose from as well, so check them out if you’re interested.
Covers typically take 1 to 2 days for simple designs, great for people wanting to get that hot new release out now. I’ve seen this site get honorable mentions on book design contest sites, so new authors with a limited budget should do well here. I was also impressed with what the designer had to say when I contacted her.
You’ll have to email the site to get an idea of what works. Tatiana Villa does it like that because she truly thinks that in order to give an exact quote she’ll first need to know the authors needs and ideas.
Often this means the author can make do with one of the cheaper design options and still get a great result. “A lot of people out there take advantage of newbies and I hate that,” she says. That’s an attitude worth checking out!
#10 Fiona Jayde Media
Designs in the portfolio primarily focus on Romance, Fantasy, and Sci-fi, but if something really catches your eye I’m sure the site will work with you.
Prices begin as low as $65 for premade covers and go up from there. eBook and Print packages go for $215, and authors with audio books will pay $25 for those covers.
There’s lots of banner and web design here too, and first time customers get $25 off their order. That’s worth a look!
#11 Atomic Covers
Beautiful and custom art isn’t always easy to get, but Atomic Covers will give you just that. The site’s run by designer Johnny Atomic, someone that has a very impressive list of clients, including Disney and LucasFilm.
These are great designs you can’t find anywhere else and they really make you stare. That’s exactly what you need to imprint your book into the mind of someone browsing on Amazon.
There’s no such thing as a premade cover on this site, and custom covers will set you back $900. It’ll take up to 2 weeks for you to get your final design, and I think many authors will find it’s worth it. The site is what you want if you’re looking for the best and money’s not an option.
I've worked with Johnny Atomic, and here are two posts discussing the cover we did:
How are eBook Covers Designed Today?
Dazzling eBook Cover Drafts from Atomic Covers
#12 Jeroen Ten Berge
You won’t find prices on this site because the designer has contracts with several publishers, including Amazon, and he works directly with successful self-published authors.
Confidentiality is a must in situations like that, but when I contacted him he told me he also likes to work with aspiring authors looking to get off the ground. You may even be able to work out a discount if you’re planning a series or several books.
If you like the designs you see I’d suggest contacting him and seeing what can be arranged. Remember, sometimes the first step in your book’s success starts with a simple email.
I'd love to hear what you think about these sites, your eBook covers, or self-publishing in general!
So What Do You Think?
You Might Also Like
My Foray Into Amazon Box Sets (How to make a 3-box set)
75 Websites that Promote Your eBook
Write Your Novels Faster: Sacrificing Formatting Early
How are eBook Covers Designed Today (January 2015)
Deviant Art
16 Deviant Artists for Fantasy and Sci-Fi eBook Covers (August 2014)
3 Great Graphic Artists for eBook Covers That You Should Think About (November 2014)
10 Master Deviant Art Artists for Your eBook Covers (February 2015)
Another Bunch of Cool eBook Cover Artists (April 2015)