Children's Book Illustration Services
You have a manuscript. What you need now is someone who can turn it into a book children want to hold.
I work with self-publishing authors from first sketch to print-ready files, with clear stages, fixed revision rounds and no surprises along the way.
What I offer
Book Cover
A finished cover, ready to upload.- Front, back and spine as one wraparound file
- Typography placement
- KDP and IngramSpark ready
Character Design
Your cast, built to stay consistent.- Turnarounds for up to 3 characters
- Expression sheets
- Reusable style guide
Full Picture Book
From manuscript to print-ready book.- 12 to 16 illustrated spreads
- Character development and storyboards
- Cover included
Custom Work
Editorial, packaging or something else.- Scoped to your project
- Fixed quote before we start
- Same delivery standards
How it works
01. Enquiry
You send me your manuscript and tell me about the age group, the feeling you want and your timeline.
02. Quote and agreement
I come back with a fixed price, a schedule and a simple contract. A 50% deposit starts the work.
03. Sketches
Rough thumbnails for every spread so we agree on the storytelling before any colour goes down.
04. Revisions
Two rounds included at the sketch stage, where changes are quick and cheap.
05. Final artwork
Full colour, delivered spread by spread so you can follow the progress.
06. Delivery
Print-ready files at 300 DPI CMYK, plus RGB versions for ebook and marketing. Final payment on delivery.
What you receive
- Print-ready files at 300 DPI, CMYK, with bleed
- RGB copies for ebook and social media
- KDP and IngramSpark compatible formats
- Full commercial rights to use the artwork for your book
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to illustrate a children's book?
A full picture book of 12 to 16 spreads starts at CAD 2,900, including character development and the cover. A cover on its own starts at CAD 750. The final figure depends on how many spreads you need, how detailed the scenes are, how many characters appear and how tight your deadline is. Send me your manuscript and I will come back with a fixed quote, not an estimate that moves later.
Why do prices vary so much between illustrators?
Illustration is time, and time varies enormously with detail. A spread with two characters against a simple background might take a day. A busy market scene with a dozen figures can take three. When you compare quotes, look at what is included: character development, revision rounds, print-ready file preparation and commercial rights are often charged separately elsewhere. Mine are included.
How long does a full picture book take?
Usually 8 to 12 weeks from approved sketches to final files. Covers and character sets take 2 to 3 weeks. I only take on a limited number of book projects at a time, so the honest answer depends on when you book. If you have a launch date, tell me early.
Who owns the artwork?
You do. On final payment you receive full commercial rights to use the illustrations for your book, your ebook and your marketing. I keep the right to show the work in my portfolio and on social media, which is standard practice.
Do you work with authors outside Canada?
Yes. I work with self-publishing authors worldwide and most of my projects are remote. Everything happens over email and shared files, and I am used to working across time zones.
What do you need from me to start?
A finished manuscript, the age group you are writing for, roughly how many spreads you have in mind, any references for the mood or style you like, and your target publication date. If you are not sure about the spread count, send the manuscript anyway and I will suggest a structure.
How many revisions are included?
Two rounds at the sketch stage, where changes are quick and inexpensive. Once we move to final colour, changes are limited to small corrections. This is why the sketch stage matters: it is where the book gets decided.
How does payment work?
A 50% deposit confirms your slot in my schedule and starts the work. The balance is due on delivery of the final files. For full books I can split the balance across milestones if that helps your cash flow.
What files will I receive?
Print-ready PDFs and TIFFs at 300 DPI in CMYK with bleed, formatted for KDP or IngramSpark, plus RGB copies for your ebook and marketing. If your printer needs a specific setup, send me their specification and I will match it.
Can you also design the interior text layout?
Yes, typesetting can be added to any package. Tell me which printer you are using and I will quote it with the illustration work.
Ready to start?
Send me your manuscript and I will come back with a fixed quote and a realistic timeline. No obligation, no templates.