What is Atmosphere Press’s book cover design process?
At Atmosphere Press, our book cover design process follows a clear four-step structure: intake, concept development, revisions, and finalization. Each stage is designed to ensure your input shapes the final result while keeping the process efficient, transparent, and professionally guided.
Your cover is one of the most important parts of your book’s presentation—it influences first impressions, discoverability, and reader expectations. Our process is built to make sure your cover doesn’t just look good, but works for your book!
Our Book Cover Design Process: Step by Step
We approach cover design as a structured collaboration between you and your design team. Here’s exactly how it works:
1. Information Gathering
The process begins with the Cover Design Intake Form.
This is where you define the direction of your cover by sharing:
➤ Genre and target audience
➤ Tone and themes
➤ Comparable titles or visual references
➤ Specific imagery or ideas you’d like explored
This step ensures your designer is working from a clear understanding of your vision from the start. A strong initial brief reduces guesswork and leads to more accurate first concepts.
2. Concept Development
Once your intake form is complete, a dedicated designer is assigned to your project.
They will create two distinct cover design concepts, which are delivered within approximately ten business days.
Each concept offers a different visual direction, giving you real options—not minor variations of the same idea.
3. Review and Revisions
After receiving your concepts, you’ll review them and provide feedback.
Your publishing package includes up to three rounds of pre-publication revisions. All feedback is submitted through a Cover Revision Form, which ensures:
➤ Clear communication
➤ Organized requests
➤ A smooth revision process
At this stage, you can:
➤ Refine one concept
➤ Combine elements from both
➤ Redirect the design if needed
4. Finalization
Once you approve your design, the cover is finalized for distribution and print.
If you change your mind before files are sent to the printer, you can typically revert to one of the original concepts at no additional cost
After final files are prepared for production, further changes would require a new design phase.
What Cover Design Styles Are Available?
Your cover design is tailored to your book—not pulled from a template.
Depending on your genre and goals, your designer may use:
➤ Photographic designs (common for memoir, nonfiction, and commercial fiction)
➤ Illustrated designs (popular for children’s books, fantasy, and stylized fiction)
➤ Typography-focused designs (often used in literary or idea-driven nonfiction)
➤ Hybrid approaches combining multiple elements
To see the many beautiful book covers Atmosphere Press has produced, check out our book catalog!
A Note on Illustration
Illustration is most commonly used in children’s books, where Atmosphere Press works with a range of professional illustrators across different styles.
If your project calls for illustration, your team will guide you toward the best approach for your book and audience.
Who Owns the Cover Artwork?
You do. Authors retain full rights to their cover artwork.
This means:
➤ You can use your cover freely for marketing and promotion
➤ You are not restricted in how the artwork is used alongside your book
➤ The design remains part of your long-term author brand
This reflects Atmosphere Press’s broader commitment to author ownership and creative control.
Will I Work Directly with the Designer or Illustrator?
Authors do not meet directly with designers or illustrators prior to assignment.
Instead, the process is structured for clarity and efficiency:
➤ Your vision is communicated through the intake form and revision process
➤ Your designer interprets and executes based on that direction
➤ Feedback is centralized and documented throughout
This ensures your input remains central—without slowing down the creative process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cover design options do I receive?
You’ll receive two distinct initial cover concepts to review and refine.
How long does the book cover design process take?
Initial concepts are delivered within about 10 business days. The full timeline depends on revision rounds and feedback timing.
How many revisions are included?
Up to three rounds of revisions are included before final approval.
Can I request a specific design style or reference other book covers?
Yes. You can include visual references, comparable titles, and stylistic preferences in your intake form.
Can I use my own images or artwork?
Yes. You’re welcome to provide images or inspiration, and your designer will incorporate or evaluate them as appropriate.
What if I don’t like the initial concepts?
You can request changes, combine elements, or redirect the design during the revision rounds.
Can I meet the illustrator before choosing them?
No. Designer and illustrator assignments are handled internally to ensure the best fit for your project.
A Process Designed Around Your Book
Our book cover design process is built to balance creative expertise with author input.
You bring the vision; we bring the design experience.
Together, we create a cover that aligns with your book, your audience, and your goals as an author!
If you’re ready to begin, the first step is submitting your manuscript. From there, we’ll guide you through each stage—including cover design—with clarity and support at every step.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.