People can be strange when it comes to the value of money. They'll buy a new iPhone for €1200 or have their Tesla serviced at the dealership. They'll easily pay a call-out fee for washing machine repairs and the accountant can send an invoice without having to explain anything about the price. But when it comes to creative work, that sense of value suddenly disappears.
Creative work is often undervalued, and I’m not even talking about art. I mean my own field: formatting, design, book illustrations. These are things we all value more than we realize. After all, would the iPhone be so iconic if it came in a gray plastic bag from Temu? Probably not. Yet when it's time to pay for design, people hesitate and wonder why it has to be so "expensive".
Design takes time, and time is money. It involves brainstorming, sketching, refining, reviewing. Sometimes it all comes together in an hour. Other times, it takes days, or even weeks. And that’s just the draft phase. The sketch has to become the final layout, which also requires skills and time. It’s never just “press the button and done.” (Only if you choose an AI generator). Finally, there's proofreading, the last touch before it goes to print.
At least, that's how it should go.
Too often, I notice that changes requested in the final phase should have been made in the first phase. Entire chapters get rewritten. Characters suddenly need new outfits. Illustrations get added last-minute. These delays create unnecessary frustration, and they’re entirely avoidable.
Here are 6 tips to make your project run as smoothly as possible:
- Finish the editing phase first
Publishing a book? Make sure the text is fully edited. It should be complete, proofread, and ready for print. Of course, small details, like a missing period or a hyphenation error, can still be fixed in the final stage. But major revisions? Those should be done beforehand. - Provide finished illustrations
Providing your own illustrations? Make sure they’re final and clearly marked. We're not mind readers, we can’t guess where “DM9872574.jpg” belongs in the manuscript. Also, ensure they're high-resolution. For print, files must be 300 DPI. Not sure how to check? If the file is only 8 KB, it’s definitely not suitable for print. - Don’t embed photos or illustrations in Word
Yes, placing images in a Word document helps show where they belong. That’s fine. But always send the image files separately too. This allows us to convert them to CMYK and 300 DPI without losing quality. - Share your vision
Hiring an illustrator? Some clients give total creative freedom, while others have a clear vision.
When you have a clear vision of how you like to see your image, share everything you can:
- What does your character look like? (Eye color, hairstyle, clothing, posture)
- What’s the desired illustration style?
- What’s the setting or mood?
The more we know upfront, the better we can bring your vision to life. Mood boards, reference photos, or sample illustrations are all helpful, not to copy, but to understand your expectations. - Choose your printer at the start of the project
Many online printers have strict size and requirements, especially for books. Knowing these in advance helps ensure your design meets the specs from the start. - Don’t be afraid to ask questions
“Everyone has their own expertise,” I always say. I’ve been doing mine for over 25 years. So don’t hesitate to ask questions, before or during the project. I’m happy to explain things and help you feel confident throughout the process.
Graphic design and illustration are collaborative efforts. When both client and designer communicate clearly and respond promptly, the result is a smooth process and a great final product. It saves time, avoids frustration, and helps you meet your deadlines with ease.
Questions?
Feel free to send me a message. I'd be happy to help!