Illustrations have a significant role to play in book publishing. Leading publishers with local and global reputation shoulder the responsibility of appointing an artist to draw the illustrations before publishing a book. However, the picture is a little different during self-publishing, where the author has to finalise the artist, ensuring the best book illustration services after years of hands-on experience or leave it to the agency, shouldering the self-publishing job.
If you are a writer and self-publishing, then you leave the responsibility of appointing an illustrator to the agency like Maple Publishers, ensuring complete and customised services to their clients. Otherwise, you can also find an illustrator of your choice and give them the responsibility of creating the illustrations for your next book.
Why should you leave it to the agency for illustration services?
Experts onboard
As a writer looking forward to the best self-publishing experience, tying up with a reputed self-publisher like Maple Publishers can reduce most of your worries. Let the experts on board handle everything necessary to successfully publish the book. From ghostwriting to book cover designs, they are there to manage the services you are intrigued to have, along with satisfactory illustration services, especially if it’s a children’s book that you are about to publish.
Children’s book or Manga- the illustrator is a pro
At least eleven to twelve illustrations are tentatively needed in a children’s book. However, if it’s an adult comic book or a manga that you are publishing, then the illustration services are equally significant, just like yours as the writer, as these picture books are nothing without the sketches. Rely on the illustrators at the agencies capable of managing similar projects like a pro.
Save your time & energy
Teaming up with the self-publishing agency will save you time and energy. Your job is finished by offering them the final manuscript. In the following step, let the experts call you in a meeting to decide the services you require, along with the publishing platform you finalise. During this meeting, opt for customised package services including editing, book cover design, layout design, eBook conversion, and of course, book illustration design services.
Cost effective
Letting the self-publishing agency shoulder the illustration services will be cost-effective for you. Usually, top agencies like Maple Publishers have professionals working as permanent employees with them. Therefore, they work directly with the core team, and together they successfully manage the overall operations of the illustration job, similar to other services.
Constant monitoring
The overall illustration service is constantly monitored by the project head, and therefore, you, being the investor, don’t have to constantly ask them about the progress, as you get the job done within the said time. If the changes are necessary, they will also be managed under expert supervision.
They know the craft of publishing a bestseller
Top self-publishers are well-versed in certain areas that make books bestsellers. If your target is to make your book a bestseller, then instead of hiring individual illustrators, you can have absolute reliance on the agency that is being hired in the first place by you, with the expectation of publishing the book and incorporating every element to reach the bestselling category in the first week.
How can you find the best illustration services on your own?
Reference from a reliable source
Having a reference from a reliable source can be excellent when you are searching for book illustrators for hire, so that they can be ideal for your next publishing venture. Make sure the person referring you to the individual or illustration agency must have worked directly with them and is satisfied with their professionalism, skills and expertise in designing trending illustrations.
Portfolios are impressive
The portfolios of the selected illustrators should have impressed you, and that will be quite enough to hire the one with an excellent grip on creating illustrations for books previously.
Despite the impressive portfolios, if you find their understanding of your project is excellent, then it will be a plus as well.
Affordable & professional
With a limited budget, hiring a freelancer should be on your list. Otherwise, choose an agency offering good illustration service at an affordable cost. Later, you can even buy posters for promotional services from the same illustrators at an affordable rate.
Ensuring on-time services
The best illustrators understand the work as well as prioritise the deadline, as the publishing might get delayed if they keep stretching the time.
Agrees to be a good listener & edit wherever needed
Look for illustrators who are reputed for being good listeners, despite fulfilling the wishes of what their clients are expecting by perfectly balancing it with their creativity. This is how the uniqueness of the illustrations can be exhibited in the books.
Make sure the professional illustrator will be open for editing if needed.
While finding illustration services, remember these pointers to enjoy the best returns.