CREATIVE PROCESS & ARTWORK

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How are book covers created?

Every cover begins with the story, genre, audience, tone, and visual direction of the book. Robin works with a broad professional toolkit that may include licensed stock photography, professional design assets, photo manipulation, compositing, illustration, custom artwork, typography, and newer generative or AI-assisted tools.

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The tools used vary from project to project. Creative direction, composition, typography, editing, refinement, and final design decisions remain in Robin’s hands.

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For a more detailed look at her approach, visit the Creative Process page.

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Does Robin use generative or AI-assisted tools?

Yes, when they are useful and appropriate for a project. Robin may delegate specific exploratory, image-development, or production tasks to AI-assisted tools as part of a much broader professional design process.

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Generative tools are not used as a substitute for cover design. Generated imagery, when used, becomes part of a larger process that may include compositing, retouching, typography, color work, correction, reconstruction, and extensive refinement.

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Robin’s professional background in graphic design and print predates generative technology by more than two decades, and those traditional design skills remain the foundation of her work.

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Can Robin design a cover without generative imagery?

Absolutely. Clients who prefer a workflow limited to licensed stock photography and traditional design methods should simply let Robin know at the beginning of the project.

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Robin has specialized in photo manipulation, compositing, retouching, and stock-based cover design since long before generative tools became available.

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STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY & LICENSING

 

Where does Robin obtain stock photography?

Robin primarily sources royalty-free stock photography through Depositphotos.com. Clients do not need to purchase Depositphotos images themselves when those images are sourced as part of Robin’s standard design process.

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If a client prefers another professional royalty-free stock provider, Robin can often work with imagery supplied by the client, provided the files are large enough for the intended design and properly licensed for commercial use.

 

What does royalty-free stock mean?

Royalty-free stock is licensed for specific permitted uses without requiring an additional royalty payment each time the image appears.

 

Royalty-free does not mean copyright-free or exclusive. The original creator or stock provider retains ownership of the image, and the same stock image may be licensed to other customers.

 

What stock license is included with a cover?

When Robin sources stock through Depositphotos, the image is used under the applicable Depositphotos license.

 

If a project is expected to require unusually large print quantities, specialized merchandise use, or usage beyond a standard book-cover application, the licensing requirements can be reviewed before final production.

 

Do clients receive the stock photography, fonts, or other purchased assets?

No. Licensed stock photography, fonts, artwork, and other third-party assets generally cannot be redistributed as separate files.

 

When appropriate, Robin may provide links to particular fonts, stock images, or other resources if a client wishes to obtain a separate license directly from the original provider.

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RIGHTS & USAGE

 

Who owns the finished cover design?

Florida Girl Design Inc. retains rights in the original design work and creative contributions used to create the finished cover. Third-party photography, fonts, licensed artwork, and other assets remain subject to the rights and licensing terms of their respective creators or providers.

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The client receives an exclusive lifetime license to use the approved finished cover design for the associated book and its promotion. Drafts and sample concepts remain working design materials and are not included with the purchase unless they become part of the selected final design.

 

Florida Girl Design Inc. retains the right to display completed designs in its professional portfolio, website, social media, advertising, and other promotional materials. Approved custom covers are not resold or repurposed for another author.

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REVISIONS

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How many edits are included with the design price?

Custom design pricing includes the standard consultation, sample development, refinement, and finishing time needed to complete the project.

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Reasonable minor revisions are included. These may include color adjustments, font changes, typography refinements, minor layout adjustments, text corrections, and small visual refinements.

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Larger changes that substantially alter an approved concept, require new artwork, or significantly expand the original project may require additional design fees.

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FINISHED FILES

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What file types will clients receive?

New ebook covers are delivered as high-resolution, flattened JPEG files, typically 1800 × 2700 pixels.

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Audiobook covers are delivered as high-resolution square JPEG files, typically 2400 × 2400 pixels.

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Print cover packages also include the appropriate print-ready PDF and promotional JPEG files.

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Editable source files are not included with standard cover-design packages.

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Are Photoshop or PSD files included?

Fully layered or editable source files are not included because cover designs may contain licensed photography, artwork, fonts, and other assets that cannot legally be redistributed in editable form.

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In some cases, a limited PSD containing flattened artwork with separate typography may be available for an additional fee. Clients with a specific production need may contact Robin to discuss available options.

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DESIGN CREDIT

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Is a cover-design credit required?

No. A cover-design credit is not required, but it is always appreciated.

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Clients who wish to include a credit may use:

Cover Design by Florida Girl Design Inc.
gobookcoverdesign.com

Or:

Cover Design by Robin Johnson, Florida Girl Design Inc.