The Benefits of Custom Book Illustrations for Self-Published Authors

For many years, self-publishing was seen as a last resort for authors who couldn’t publish their work. But thanks to the rise of eBooks, self-publishing has become so popular. Many authors choose it because they can do everything themselves. 

When you’re self-publishing, you don’t have to rely on an editor or illustrator—you can do all the editing and illustrating yourself! In this article, we’ll explore why custom artwork is such a great fit for self-publishing authors who want full creative freedom when designing their books’ covers:

Custom book illustrations add value to your book.

They can help you stand out from the crowd, especially if your story is already well-known and has been published many times before. In addition, book illustrations are a great marketing tool that can make your book appealing to a wider audience. If done right, they will also give you an edge in a competitive publishing market where most self-published authors are fighting for readers’ attention with similar products but different prices!

But how do you know if book illustrations are right for your book? And, if they are, what should you look for in an illustrator? Let’s look at some of the most important factors that can help you decide whether to hire an illustrator.

Your artwork will be uniquely yours.

You can use your style and images, colors, and ideas. You will create something uniquely yours–not based on someone else’s work. This makes it stand out from the crowd and expressively represents your ideas in a way other books may not be able to do as well.

When you write your book, you can choose the subject matter most important to you. You can create a book that will be helpful to others and make a difference in their lives.

When you write your book, you can choose the subject matter most important to you. You can create a book that will be helpful to others and make a difference in their lives.

You have full control over the look and feel of your book’s illustrations.

As a self-published author, you can choose your illustrator and style. You can decide on any subject matter that suits your book–whether it’s historical or contemporary, fiction or nonfiction–and work with an artist who specializes in that area. You can also choose how big or small the book illustrations will be (though there may be some limitations based on how many pages are printed).

This level of control is often unavailable when working with traditional publishers because they may assign an illustrator without consulting you first; this means that sometimes the artwork doesn’t fit well with your vision for your story and characters.

You don’t have to pay extra for professional-quality artwork.

If you’re going to do it yourself, start with a plan. Set aside time and energy to learn the skills needed, or hire an illustrator who can help bring your vision to life. If you’re hiring an illustrator, be specific about what you want. Have some sample visuals to show them so they can get started immediately!

Once you have your illustrator, the next step is to create a brief. This document outlines what you want to see in the final piece.

Having a brief is important, so you and your illustrator are on the same page. It can be as simple as one paragraph, or it may be several pages long. It all depends on how much detail you want to give them.

The more detail, the better. If you have a clear idea, your illustrator can create exactly what you want.

Unique Branding

Custom book illustrations can help you create a unique brand for your book. By commissioning an illustrator, you can work together to create a consistent look and feel for your book, including cover art and interior illustrations. This can help your book stand out on the shelves and online, as readers will be drawn to the distinct artwork.

Visual Storytelling

Illustrations can tell a story in a way that words alone cannot. They can help readers visualize your book’s characters, settings, and actions. This is especially helpful for children’s books or graphic novels, where the book illustrations are an integral part of the storytelling.

Increased Engagement

Including illustrations in your book can increase reader engagement. Readers are more likely to pick up a book with eye-catching book illustrations and are more likely to continue reading if the illustrations are well-executed and engaging. Additionally, book illustrations can break up long blocks of text and provide visual interest, making the book more enjoyable to read.

Professional Quality

Commissioning custom book illustrations can give your book a professional look and feel. Readers are more likely to take your book seriously if the illustrations are of high quality and match the tone and style of the writing. This can help you stand out in a crowded market and increase the chances of your book being picked up by a traditional publisher or agent. 

Total creative freedom

The self-publishing process is a great match for authors who want to express themselves through illustrations. You can get creative with your book illustrations and create illustrations that are unique to your book. This will help you stand out from the competition and make readers feel more connected to you and your story.

Illustrations are also a great way to express personality in the same way that fonts do; readers love custom illustrations! You might also want to use them on your blog or website so that people know what kind of Book Writers they’re dealing with.

Finally, there’s no need for expensive software or hardware. You can do everything online these days (even if it does take some time). So all you have left is to find someone willing to work with you for cheap so that their rates won’t break the bank but still provide quality results.

Conclusion:

The benefits of custom book illustrations for self-published authors are many. They can help you stand out, increase sales, and even boost your brand recognition. For those who aren’t sure whether they should invest in illustrations, we hope this article has given you some insight into why it’s worth considering!