--- title: Custom Covers & Interiors description: Instructions on how a Custom Cover or Custom Interior comes together, including briefing, typesetting, and delivery. --- [Skip to content](https://faqs.storyterrace.com/custom-covers-interiors#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![Story\_Terrace\_Word\_Mark.png\]](https://faqs.storyterrace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Story_Terrace_Word_Mark.png?height=40&name=Story_Terrace_Word_Mark.png) - [Home](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/) - [How it Works](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/how-it-works/) - [Pricing](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/pricing/) - [Writers](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/ourwriters) - [Testimonials](https://storyterrace.com/en-GB/testimonials/) - [About](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/about-us) - [Blog](https://blog.storyterrace.com/uk) - [Contact](https://storyterrace.com/en-GB/contact/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/) - [How it Works](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/how-it-works/) - [Pricing](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/pricing/) - [Writers](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/ourwriters) - [Testimonials](https://storyterrace.com/en-GB/testimonials/) - [About](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/about-us) - [Blog](https://blog.storyterrace.com/uk) - [Contact](https://storyterrace.com/en-GB/contact/) - English Show submenu for translations - Go to storyterrace.com Go to storyterrace.com Hello! What's your question? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Help Center](https://faqs.storyterrace.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Editorial](https://faqs.storyterrace.com/editorial?hsLang=en) 3. [Editorial Processes](https://faqs.storyterrace.com/editorial?hsLang=en#editorial-processes) # Custom Covers & Interiors ## Design upgrades — how a Custom Cover or Custom Interior comes together, from brief to delivery. *Last edited by Elsa on 17th September 2026* ### Who is this for? Editorial Project Managers (EPMs) briefing a Custom Cover or Custom Interior design upgrade for a client. ### What do I need before I start? - The Custom Cover / Custom Interior brief questionnaire — one questionnaire covers both - A typesetter to brief — see the [Typesetters/Designers/Illustrators spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/187EG_DEabkT1JfCtTtpCR7IfIz46a4x5TYjWLXVXVA4/edit?gid=0#gid=0) for who's available - The book's manuscript, downloaded from Bookmaker (BM), to send to the typesetter for a Custom Interior. A Word document is preferable for the format. A BM-generated cover can be used as a baseline for Custom Cover requests. A PDF format is fine for covers. - The photos needed for the manuscript in the correct quality and format. You will need the captions for the photos, as well as placement instructions. - Access to the [Design Google Drive](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FhigKSAbpivX751e1lwMrMJ_RGIxbpfU), to save the completed designs ### What is a Custom Cover or Custom Interior? - Custom Cover — a bespoke original design, created by a typesetter, with two cover options to choose from and one round of revisions. - Custom Interior — typographic, layout, or image amends to the bookmaker interior (e.g. a new chapter heading typeface or colour, inserting photos or infographics, adding flourishes to chapter openers, reordering pages). The cost includes up to 5 changes and two rounds of revisions. *Unlike a Commercial cover, a Custom Cover doesn't include market research or a mood board — it's a simpler, more affordable process that still delivers a professional look and feel.* ### Ideation - brief the customer - EPM completes the relevant [brief questionnaire](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kUq0m2fCfABtyoG70nodfvSl7lphkyrZ) with the customer, which covers the design direction wanted for a cover, or the specific amends wanted for an interior - For a custom cover and interior, the typesetting costs can be kept under the costs section of HubSpot. ### Creation — typesetter to delivery - EPM shares the completed brief with the typesetter, along with the manuscript of the book downloaded from BM, or the manuscript that has been proofread outside of Bookmaker for Custom Interiors. The Bookmaker-generated cover should be sent for Custom Covers. - Typesetter completes the work. Custom Cover: two cover options are presented for the client to choose from, with one round of edits applied to their pick. Custom Interior: the requested amends are applied directly to the interior. Small amends, such as fitting in a long name, can be done in-house in Acrobat for free. - EPM saves the completed designs (client approved) to the Design GDrive, in a folder named for the client and book title *Turnaround depends on the typesetter's availability — confirm timing with them directly when you send the brief.* ### Sourcing extra images — Shutterstock If a cover or interior needs stock imagery beyond what the client supplies, Shutterstock is StoryTerrace's licensed source for photos and graphics. - StoryTerrace uses a shared account — contact management for login details, and never share them outside the business - The typesetter browses Shutterstock and provides the image code they'd like to use at the low-resolution concept stage - Only download the full-resolution file once the editor and client have signed off on the low-res concept - Save downloads to the shared Drive folder, organised by image type - Our account carries a Standard License, covering use on a book cover for up to 500,000 copies — check with management before using an image marked ‘Editorial Use Only’, or if the print run is larger ### Image quality — what to tell Storytellers and clients A low-resolution image can look fine on screen but blurry or pixelated in print, so it's the EPM's job to set expectations with the Storyteller upfront. - Images must be scanned and supplied digitally at 300dpi or higher — a home scanner, or a local photo processing service (Staples, Costco, Snappy Snaps), can produce a high-res scan - Acceptable formats: JPEG, JPG, PNG — no PDFs, mobile phone photos, or screenshots - This only applies to images the Storyteller supplies — anything StoryTerrace sources, e.g. via Shutterstock, is already quality-checked - Poor-quality images come in? Ask the Storyteller to resubmit a higher-resolution version before passing anything to the typesetter, and flag to management if it's still not print-ready ### Costs at a glance - Custom Cover — £40/$50 (client price from £250/$300) - Custom Interior — Compact £50/$60 · Complete £70/$80 · Novella £90/$100 - Revisions to a Standard cover — £20/$25 (up to 5 changes and 2 rounds of revisions) *These figures are indicative — always confirm exact pricing with the Quotation Tool or your Editorial Manager.* ### Useful links - [Custom Cover / Custom Interior brief questionnaire](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kUq0m2fCfABtyoG70nodfvSl7lphkyrZ) - [Typesetters/Designers/Illustrators — Google Sheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/187EG_DEabkT1JfCtTtpCR7IfIz46a4x5TYjWLXVXVA4/edit?gid=0#gid=0) - [Design GDrive](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FhigKSAbpivX751e1lwMrMJ_RGIxbpfU) - [Full Design Handbook](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-_KcIjrLTKHpMwRB32EMPt1BGpQxHszoj-Drx_DD1dA/edit?slide=id.g3af91cb59ef_0_21#slide=id.g3af91cb59ef_0_21) ### Who do I go to for help? - Typesetter availability — check the Typesetters/Designers/Illustrators spreadsheet, or ask management if you're unsure - Illustrations, or a quote outside the standard price list — management - Shutterstock login details — management StoryTerrace — internal use only. Costs and prices above are indicative; see the Quotation Tool or your Editorial Manager for precise, client-ready figures. ### Questions ***What's the difference between a Custom Cover and a Commercial Cover?*** A Custom Cover is created directly by a typesetter and doesn't include market research or a mood board — it's a simpler, more affordable process. A Commercial cover is designer-led and includes market positioning research and a mood board. This carries a higher cost and is usually for PRO books. Commercial covers are included within the Platinum Self-Publishing package, whilst Custom Covers are included within the Amazon Essentials Self-Publishing package. ***What file format should I send the manuscript in?*** A Word document is preferable. Download it from Bookmaker (BM), or use the version that's been proofread outside BM if that's the most current copy. For Custom Covers, the PDF downloaded from BM are fine. ***How many rounds of revisions are included?*** One round of revisions for a Custom Cover, and two rounds (up to 5 changes) for a Custom Interior. ***What if the client wants a small tweak after the interior is delivered?*** Small amends, such as fitting in a long name, can be done in-house in Acrobat for free - there's no need to go back to the typesetter for these. Please check with your Editorial Manager that this is possible. ***When do I save the completed designs to the Design GDrive?*** Once the client has approved them, save the final designs to the Design GDrive in a folder named for the client and book title. ***Can I use any image I like from Shutterstock?*** No, check the licence first. Our account carries a Standard Licence covering use on a book cover for up to 500,000 copies, and images marked ‘Editorial Use Only’ can't be used. Check with management if the print run is bigger or the licence is unclear. ***When should the full-resolution Shutterstock image be downloaded?*** Only after the editor and client have signed off on the low-resolution concept. The typesetter provides the image code at concept stage, but the full-resolution download comes later. ***What should I do if a client supplies a low-quality image?*** Ask the Storyteller to resubmit a higher-resolution version (300dpi or higher, JPEG/JPG/PNG) before passing anything to the typesetter. If it's still not print-ready, flag it to management. ***Can I quote the prices in this FAQ directly to a client?*** No, they're indicative only. Always confirm exact pricing with the Quotation Tool or your Editorial Manager before quoting a client. ***How long does a Custom Cover or Interior take to complete?*** There's no fixed turnaround — it depends on the typesetter's availability, so confirm timing directly with them when you send the brief. Please allow upwards of a working week. - [Editorial](https://faqs.storyterrace.com/editorial?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Upgrades](https://faqs.storyterrace.com/editorial?hsLang=en#upgrades) - [Editorial Processes](https://faqs.storyterrace.com/editorial?hsLang=en#editorial-processes) - [Editorial Operations](https://faqs.storyterrace.com/editorial-operations?hsLang=en) - [Home](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/) - [How it Works](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/how-it-works/) - [Pricing](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/pricing/) - [Writers](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/ourwriters) - [Testimonials](https://storyterrace.com/en-GB/testimonials/) - [About](https://www.storyterrace.com/en-GB/about-us) - [Blog](https://blog.storyterrace.com/uk) - [Contact](https://storyterrace.com/en-GB/contact/) [![logo.png](https://faqs.storyterrace.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Story_Terrace_Word_Mark.png?width=300&height=73&name=Story_Terrace_Word_Mark.png "logo.png")](https://storyterrace.com) storyterrace.com Help Center Copyright © 2026, Eternal Lives Opco Ltd