What is a Premade Book Cover?
Whether you're an author on a budget, a new indie, or someone who just wants a cover fast, premade book covers can make a world of difference in your author journey.
It can be tricky figuring out where to buy book covers when you're getting ready to launch, and premade book covers are no exception. For newer indies, there might also be a ton of terms involved that just outright don't make much sense - and premades are one of those terms. Luckily, to kill two birds with one stone: most cover designers who offer custom book covers will also sell premades. But what does premade actually mean?
Put simply, a premade book cover is a cover design that's already been made. It's something that a book cover designer has created with no prompting. There are tons of premades out there on the market, for every genre, no matter how niche (but you may have most luck finding Romance and fantasy covers).
Your book cover is your most important marketing asset - at least on all of the storefronts! A book cover needs to demand attention, and match what readers are expecting from you as an author. Finding a cover artist who can tick off every box might be tricky, and expectations on both sides need to be managed. Whilst you may want every single important plot item on your cover, it's a delicate balance - a fantasy cover rarely works if it looks like a Romance cover, and a horror book cover rarely works if it looks like a light-hearted comedy.
Premade book covers can help take some of the stress out of the cover design process. You get to see the finished product before money ever changes hands, and hopefully, receive a beautiful finished design that matches the tone of your book and the genre you're writing in.
Another added bonus of premades is that they tend to be considerably cheaper than getting custom work done for your book - which means premades are a great idea for those working with a low budget.
How Much Do Premade Book Covers Cost?
Like custom book covers, the price for premades can vary dramatically depending on who you choose to buy from, what your genre is, and the quality of the premade book cover.
Most artists will have premade covers in the region of $100-$300, with plenty of artists offering lower cost, affordable premade book covers alongside more premium ones. Some artists will be at the higher end of the price scale, with premades going as high as over $1000.
As with all services and products online, do your research to find an artist that offers what you need. Some artists won't offer revisions or changes to premades, and others won't offer paperback extensions or additional covers in the series if you need them. Sometimes, the stock images simply don't exist, so it's best to ask questions if you're unsure.
How do Premade Book Covers Work?
If you're unfamiliar with premade book covers, it stands to reason that there's probably a few questions rolling around in your head!
Premade book covers are only ever sold once - nobody will own that cover, except for you. There are also premade book cover templates that are available to multiple people who purchase them, but those are the minority, and most often found on websites that specifically offer templates for authors to DIY.
Once you purchase a premade book cover design, the artist will usually make sure it's removed from their website, and contact you to arrange changes (unless changes were added before checkout). Premades are versatile and fast, making them great for those who need to get a cover quickly. In most cases, the designer will simply update the title and the author name, perhaps the subtitle, and return the finished product to you ready for use. If you need a paperback extension, be sure to checkout with that (or let your artist know if it was included), and be sure to send over all the information they need. Some artists will accept the numbers, but others will require the Amazon template.
Ready to increase your book sales with a professionally designed premade book cover?
If you're ready to invest in the success of your book with a gorgeous premade book cover, feel free to browse the premades available on my website.
All premades are sold only once, and every premade can have minor tweaks free of charge. With every premade that I offer, there's the option for a paperback extension, as well as series continuations, to make sure you have everything you need to succeed as an indie.