Children's book illustration, page by page
Characters readers remember and spreads planned around your text, delivered ready for print.
What's included
- Character design
- Sketches of your main characters to agree their look before any page is drawn.
- Storyboard
- A rough layout of every page or spread, so text and pictures work together.
- Sketches then final art
- Pencil sketches for approval, then finished colour illustrations.
- Cover illustration
- Art for the front cover, which can go on to our cover design service for the full wrap.
- Print-ready setup
- Art at print resolution with bleed, sized to your trim, ready for layout.
Who it's for
- Picture book authors with a finished text.
- Parents, teachers and educators writing for young readers.
- Authors of early readers and chapter books that need spot illustrations.
- Series authors who need consistent characters across books.
What we need from you
- Your finished text, with any notes on what should happen on each page.
- Descriptions or references for your characters and setting.
- Illustration styles you like, with examples.
- Trim size and printer, if you already know them.
The process
Brief and style
We agree the style, the page count and the schedule.
Characters and storyboard
You approve the characters and the page layout.
Sketches
We sketch every page. You request changes before colour.
Final art
We paint the final illustrations and deliver print-ready files.
Deliverables and file formats
| You receive | Format |
|---|---|
| Character sheets | PDF or PNG |
| Storyboard | |
| Final illustrations | High resolution PNG or TIFF with bleed |
| Laid out interior with text | Print-ready PDF, with our formatting service |
Questions authors ask
Who owns the illustrations?
The rights you receive are set out in writing in your agreement before work starts, so you know exactly how you can use the art.
How many illustrations does a picture book need?
Many picture books are 32 pages with an illustration on most spreads, but it depends on your story. We plan the count with you in the storyboard.
Can you place the text on the pages too?
Yes. Add formatting to your quote and we lay out text and art together.
Can I see sketches before the final art?
Yes. You approve sketches for every page before we start the final colour art.
Do you illustrate chapter books?
Yes, with spot or full-page illustrations. Tell us how many you have in mind in the quote form.
Free tools for this step
Rather do it yourself? These tools are free, with no signup.
Get a free quote
Tell us about your book. We reply within 1 to 2 business days with questions, a plan and a price. The quote is free and there is no obligation.
Prefer email? Write to contact@usabookstudios.com.