You have finally completed your engaging and inspirational manuscript for the young audience. Now it is missing the relevant, vivid, and fascinating illustrations that enhance your storytelling and bring your story to life.
Your manuscript is lying in front of you and you’re gazing at it while wondering:
“How do I choose the right illustrator for my children’s book?”
Well, you have found the perfect place.
We have shared eight detailed steps that you should take to journey towards the most reliable and talented illustrator below. So, check them out to elevate your manuscript with illustrations that are worth a thousand words.
Keep exploring!
8 Useful Steps to Find the Right Illustrator for Your Children’s Book
- Determine the Details of Your Children’s Book Illustrations
How will you find out that you have chosen the right one if you don’t first determine what exactly you want? Getting clarity about your vision, requirements, and preferences is a must. As your chosen illustrator will influence all your hard work, carefully make the final decision.
Start by thinking about the places where you would like to see illustrations in your manuscript. Count the number of pages and how soon you want them. Decide your artwork style preferences, whether you want a specific color palette or multiple.
- Set a Realistic Budget
Nothing comes for free! You always have to pay a price for whatever you need. And if you want good-quality ones, then the charges will also be higher. The overall cost will depend on the illustrator’s experience, skills, and creativity. Plus, it will also vary as per the amount of illustrations you require, the materials involved, and the timeline.
We would suggest you search for a reliable and budget-friendly children’s book illustration service. Collaborate with the one that offers prices, deals, and discounts that are easy on your wallet.
- Broaden the Search Criteria
You may wonder where to look for a credible illustrator. Well, there are various places to go, such as freelancing platforms, such as Upwork and Fiverr, and job-hunting sites, Craigslist. However, we recommend you partner with illustration services for children’s books. They’re comparatively more trustworthy, credible, and diverse.
Many agencies offer a pool of innumerable illustration services, making them a one-stop shop for your children’s book artwork needs. As they have different professionals working together, including designers, quality assurance, and customer representatives, you’ll get your product sooner. And that too, without compromising on the product’s quality.
- Assess Options While Using These Factors
Now that you may have made up your mind about collaborating with children’s book illustration services, assess different options. Even if you have decided to work with freelancers, you should still consider these factors to choose the right one.
The first among them is that the service you hire must offer 100% customized, top-quality designs. They should provide full ownership of their delivered artwork to you. Plus, they should give various perks, such as free unlimited revisions, on-time delivery, and 24/7 customer service.
- Review the Portfolio and Ask for Sample
No matter how much they claim about delivering top-notch products, don’t believe them. Unless you see their customized designs yourself. The reliable and reputable services usually display their portfolio on their official website. You would not need to ask them.
The moment you will land on their platform, you will notice their mastery of art. Your inner self will speak to you that ‘This is the one!” But even if the portfolio still doesn’t satisfy you 100%, request them for samples. They won’t dillydally to show it to you.
- Make the Final Decision
Once you have gone through all the above steps, you will know whom to hire. So, don’t wait any longer to make your final decision. We are sure you would not want to delay your publishing timeline, right?
So, place your order by paying through a method that feels the most convenient to you. Choose the timeline for how soon you would like to have your customized illustrations. Providing them with a deadline will let them carry forward your order accordingly.
- Receive the Design and Approve
Your hired service will assign your project to the most suitable experienced illustrator in their team. They will take your requirements seriously and illustrate every artwork tailored according to them. The talented professionals will ensure your children’s ebook illustrations in London shine out and appeal to young audiences at a glance.
Once they have created striking artwork as per your needs, they will share it with you. Their team will wait for your approval. You have the chance to ask them to revise anything you don’t like and they will cater to it for you. Approve the artwork once you feel fully satisfied with it.
- Keep the Lines of Communication Open with Illustrator
Stay in touch with them regularly to get updates on your order. Share your contact details through which you’re always available, as they will need your suggestions at various points. Your hired service will offer the final touches to your product to ensure your written story comes alive with its illustrations. They will deliver them right on time. While glancing at them, you will notice how each customized artwork is colorful, mesmerizing, and sparks the imagination.
- How can I choose an illustrator for my child’s book?
Browse different marketplaces, pinpoint your requirements, and assess different illustration services. Compare them using different factors, such as quality, pricing, customization options, etc. Look into their samples and portfolio to make your final decision. Finalize your project agreement with a contract and stay in touch with them throughout the process.
2. How much does an illustrator charge for a children’s book?
It differs depending on various factors, such as experience, expertise, and level of intricacy. Some may charge $500 for an entire book, while others may cost up to $20,000. The more illustrations are complex with detailed backgrounds, the longer it will take for the illustrator to create them. As a result, the final cost will be on the pricier end.
3. What makes an eye-catching children’s book illustration?
Expressive and animated illustrations relevant to the story take the children’s books to another level. The vibrant ones would ignite the desired emotions within the young readers and make them read repeatedly.
Parting Words
Choosing the right illustrator for your children’s book is a game-changing decision. It can make all the difference from making your manuscript a bestseller to the one making no sales. It’s why making the right choice makes the author feel jittery and stressed to the max.
You will surely select the most suitable illustrator when you take a shot at the mentioned guidelines. Weigh all the options you have on your plate to collaborate with a trustworthy and affordable service. Then, no one will stop you from getting illustrations that are a visual treat for a young audience.