What type of book covers do you design?

At SleepyCat Studios, we specialise in atmospheric, symbolic covers that tell a story through mood, texture and subtle meaning. Our designs lean into visual story-telling, evoking emotion and inviting interpretation, perfect for fiction, literary works and stories with rich themes.

How involved will I be in the design process?

We believe your vision is essential. Our process is highly collaborative, with key stages where you will share your ideas, preferences, and feedback to ensure the final design feels like an extension of your world.

Do you offer both illustrated and photographic covers?

We specialise exclusively in illustrated covers, crafted to match your story’s atmosphere and themes. We don’t use stock images or pre-made graphics; every cover is a bespoke visual piece, designed to capture the unique soul of your book.

Our Services

Find the Perfect Cover For Your Story

Explore our cover design offerings, each built to serve different levels of creative depth, direction, and author involvement.

A refined, artistically illustrated cover with a clean composition and carefully selected typography. Perfect for authors seeking sophisticated simplicity with a focus on atmosphere and storytelling.

What’s Included:

• Minimalist custom illustration — lightly detailed, carefully composed

• Curated typography — selected to suit your manuscript’s voice and mood

• Creative direction — includes mood board and tailored visual guidance

• One round of refinement — focused adjustments with your feedback

• Files for print & digital — formatted for seamless publishing

• 3D mockups — for a professional, ready-to-share presentation

Best suited for: Literary fiction, poetry, memoir, and introspective narratives.

Portrait — Elegant & Minimal | $800

Design Notes:
- Hand-illustrated central figure
- Soft, flat colour blocking
- Negative space used for balance
- Minimalist typography
- Framed composition with white margin

Portrait Tier Cover Request

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

Tier

Book Title

Genre

One-line synopsis

A sentence or two capturing the essence of the book

Cover Vision

What symbol, mood, or object best captures your story? Feel free to mention tone, colors, or emotional anchors

A conceptually rich illustrated cover that strikes the balance between narrative tone and elegant visual expression. This tier is designed for authors who want a distinctive cover that feels thoughtful, genre-aware, and emotionally attuned.

What’s Included:

• Tailored hand-illustration — atmospheric detailing aligned with genre and theme

• Bespoke typography & layout — curated type and flow that enhances visual storytelling

• Creative direction — includes mood board, genre alignment, and visual consultation

• One round of refinement — precise, focused adjustments

• Files for print & digital — formatted for seamless publishing

Best suited for: General fiction, contemporary fantasy, and authors seeking

a cover that reflects both story and emotion.

Standard — Crafted & Aesthetically Aligned | $1,200

Design Notes
- Concept-driven central illustration
- Symbolic object integration (string, pose)
- Balanced negative space with visual tension
- Genre-reflective colour palette
- Typography placed for narrative hierarchy

Standard Tier Cover Request

Full Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Book Title

Genre

Short synopsis (2-3 lines)

A brief overview of the story. Not for blurb use, for design context.

Cover Direction

Describe any characters, scenes, tones, or symbols you'd like visually interpreted. This may include atmosphere, era, objects, or mood.

Color preferences

Any colors to include or avoid? If unsure, leave blank.

An illustrated cover designed for authors who need art that actively supports the story. Ideal for books where visual detail, narrative tone, and aesthetic cohesion are essential.

What’s Included:

• Custom illustrated scene — 1–2 figures or key objects placed in a genre-aligned, narrative-driven background

• Curated typography & layout — designed to complement and balance the illustration

• Creative direction & vision board — guided visual planning to align tone and concept

• Two refinement rounds — focused adjustments to fine-tune composition, colour, and emphasis

• Files for print & digital — high-resolution artwork formatted for all standard publishing platforms

Best for: Fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction, or any book where art is integral to the storytelling.

Canvas — Fully Illustrated & Art-Driven | $1,600

Design Notes
- Immersive full-scene illustration
- Integrated character & environment
- Narrative depth through lighting & colour
- Stylised typography with spatial harmony
- Cinematic layout with story-driven scale

Canvas Tier Cover Request

Full Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Book Title

Genre

Short Synopsis (2-4 lines)

For design content, not a marketing blurb.

Cover Vision

Describe any scenes, characters, emotional beats, or visual themes you'd like interpreted. Feel free to include symbolic elements, time period, or tone

Typography Direction (optional)

Color Palette

Upload Reference

Up to 5 files. Moodboards, sketch concepts, Pinterest pulls, anything that helps shape the vision.

A highly detailed, fully bespoke cover designed as a collector-worthy piece. Every element is purposefully illustrated to reflect the essence of your story with visual harmony, narrative weight, and artistic precision.

What’s Included:

• Premium creative direction & concept development — in-depth consultation to shape a distinct visual identity

• Master-level hand-illustration — tailored, intricate artwork with custom-painted elements

• Fully art-directed composition — every detail refined for spatial balance and storytelling clarity

• Unlimited refinement rounds — collaborative adjustments to achieve the highest possible standard

• Exclusive rights & licensing — includes extended usage for long-term or special-edition formats

Best suited for: High fantasy, literary fiction, or authors seeking an iconic, high-value cover.

Masterpiece — Exclusive Luxury-Level Art | Custom Pricing (Begins at $2,500+)

Masterpiece Tier Quote Request

Full Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Book Title

Genre

Brief overview (2-4 lines)

Summarize your story's tone and themes. This helps us begin shaping a tailored concept.

Creative Direction

What vision do you have in mind? Include any key elements, symbolic weight, or stylistic goals you'd like to explore. Abstract or specific, we work with both.

Quote Goals

Need Help Choosing The Right Package?

Every story is unique, and so is every cover. If you’re unsure which package is the best fit, we’ll help you find a perfect match.

Cover Inquiry

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email

Book Genre

Budget Range

Preferred Cover Style

Deadline

MM

DD

YYYY