Our book illustration services bring your pages to life with custom artwork made for your book. You work with an experienced illustrator who develops a consistent style, produces each illustration for your approval and delivers print-ready files that suit your layout.
Illustration can carry a picture book, make a cookbook inviting, explain a non-fiction idea or add spot art to a novel. This service is part of our book design services.
Custom book illustrations for every kind of book
- Picture books and illustrated storybooks
- Cookbooks and lifestyle books
- Non-fiction diagrams, charts and infographics
- Fantasy and science fiction maps
- Chapter openers and spot illustrations
- Cover artwork that works with your cover design
Hire a book illustrator: matching style to your book
Illustration styles range from watercolour and pencil to digital painting, line art and vector. We show you illustrators whose style suits your book and your readers, and your illustrator builds character and style references first, so the artwork stays consistent from the first page to the last.
How book illustration works
- Brief. You share your story or text, style references and the number of illustrations.
- Sketches. Your illustrator creates rough sketches, or character designs for a picture book.
- Revisions. You give feedback within the revision rounds listed in your quote.
- Final artwork. You approve each piece and receive high-resolution files for print and eBook.
Illustration rights and usage
Who owns the artwork and how you may use it are set out in your quote before work begins, so you know exactly what you can do with it, from printing to marketing. Tell us if you plan to use the images in merchandise or other books so the rights match your plans.
Illustrations in print and eBook
Illustrations for print need high resolution and the right colour setup, while eBook images need to scale and load well on small screens. An illustrated book also needs careful layout so the pictures and text work together. Our book formatting services prepare the pages for both formats.
Choosing a style for your story
The style of an illustration tells readers what to expect before they read a word. Soft watercolour feels gentle, bold flat colour feels playful and fine line work feels thoughtful. Choosing a style is easier when you collect a few examples you like and tell us what you like about them. We then propose a look that fits your story and your readers, and we create a sample so you can judge it before the full set is drawn.
From sketch to final art
Illustration moves in stages so you can change direction cheaply. We start with rough thumbnails that plan each page, then develop sketches, then add colour and finish. You approve each stage before we move on, and your quote states how many rounds of changes are included. This is much easier than changing finished artwork, because a wrong turn is caught when it costs the least.
Artwork that prints well
Artwork for print needs enough resolution and the right colour setup, so the printed book matches what you saw on screen. We work at print resolution, leave bleed where images reach the edge and keep important details away from the gutter, where the pages curve into the spine. For children’s books we leave clear space for text, so words and pictures support each other.
Characters and series consistency
If the same character appears on many pages or in several books, they must look the same each time. We create a character sheet with front, side and expression views, and we use it as the reference for every page. This keeps a series coherent and makes it easy to add new books later, even years apart.
Choosing the right illustrator for your book
Illustrators have strengths, and the best match depends on the age group, subject and style. A realistic nature guide needs different skills from a funny picture book. We look at your text and your examples, propose an illustrator whose portfolio suits the job and show you sample work before you commit. If your project needs a particular technique, tell us at the start so we match you properly.
Questions about book illustration
How much does book illustration cost?
The price depends on the number of illustrations, their complexity and the style. Tell us about your book and we send a free quote with a fixed price.
How long does illustration take?
It depends on the number and complexity of the illustrations. Your quote lists a schedule for sketches, revisions and final art.
Can I use my own sketches or references?
Yes. Rough sketches, photos and style references help your illustrator match your vision.
Who owns the illustrations?
Ownership and usage rights are set out in your quote before work begins.
Can you illustrate a whole book?
Yes. We can illustrate a full picture book, a cookbook or a book of any length, and keep the style consistent across every page.
Can I use the illustrations on other products?
That depends on the usage rights in your agreement. Tell us early if you plan posters, merchandise or a second edition, and we will include them in the quote.
Do you work digitally or by hand?
We work in digital media. If you want a traditional look such as watercolour or pencil, we can recreate it digitally.
How many illustrations does my book need?
It depends on the age group and length. Picture books need an illustration on almost every spread, while chapter books may need one per chapter. We advise when we see your text.
Can I request changes after the final artwork is delivered?
Small corrections are usually possible, but major changes to finished artwork cost time. That is why we approve sketches and colour stages first. Your quote explains what is included, and we tell you before any extra work begins so you can decide.
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Why authors work with us
- You keep your rights, your royalties and your accounts
- You receive a written scope and a fixed price before any work starts
- You approve every file before it moves to the next step
- One project manager keeps you informed at every stage