Terms and Conditions

When working with MerryBookRound, you agree to these terms and conditions. They are meant to guarantee a smooth and easy experience for both parts.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All information shared by the client is considered confidential and will only be used by MerryBookRound to provide the best possible service. We will not disclose this information to any third party unless expressly authorized by the client.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

First of all we DO NOT use any AI tools to work on our covers. We are firmly against it.

Our work primarily focuses on typography- and object-based covers. However, upon request, we can also create covers featuring human and/or animal characters for an additional fee of €50.

This option includes up to three main figures: either two humans and one large animal, or one human and two large animals (such as wolves, tigers, or bears). Smaller animals, such as ravens, mice, and similar creatures, are not subject to this limit.
If you require additional main figures, please contact us in advance, as the price may vary depending on their complexity. Additional figures typically cost between €10 and €30 each.

Typography and object-based covers have a flat fee. No matter how many elements are included, the price remains the same.

We are usually booked several months in advance, so please keep in mind that there is typically a waiting period of at least 2–3 months between your initial inquiry and the start of the design process.

If you are in a hurry, we may be able to offer you a bonus slot (subject to availability) before our regular schedule. In this case, the turnaround time will be longer, as your project will be worked on in between other ongoing projects. The pace will be slower (up to 30 working days), but you won’t have to wait several months before getting started.

HOW IT WORKS

Before starting any project, we require a 50% deposit. At our discretion, this requirement may be waived for trusted returning clients.

The deposit is non-refundable*. Once we begin working on your cover, if you decide during the drafting phase that you no longer wish to continue with MerryBookRound for reasons unrelated to our work (for example, a change of style or concept), we will retain the deposit but will not request the remaining balance.

*Exception: If you are genuinely unhappy with all the draft concepts we present and we both agree that MerryBookRound is unable to meet your expectations (despite following your brief), we will refund your 50% deposit, minus PayPal fees.

We accept payments via PayPal (+commercial fee) and bank transfer. An invoice will be sent a few days before your project is scheduled to begin.

The project timeline will be agreed upon together. The remaining balance is due once you have approved the final cover design and are completely satisfied with it, and must be paid before the final files are delivered.

Let’s start!

First, you will receive one or more draft concepts based on your brief. During this stage, you are welcome to request as many revisions as needed, as long as they remain consistent with your original brief.

If you don’t like any of the initial drafts, we will prepare a second or third round of concepts based on your guidance, taking into account your feedback(s) on what you liked and didn’t like about the previous versions.

Please note: If your requests change significantly from one draft to the next (for example, if you initially ask for one direction and later decide on a completely different or opposite approach), the project may take longer than originally planned. And depending on how much work needs to be redone from scratch, an additional fee may apply.

Once the draft has been approved, we will begin working on the final high-resolution version (and, if applicable, purchase any required stock images). You may still request minor revisions, such as adjustments to element placement, colors, or fonts. However, all changes must remain consistent with the approved draft. If you decide to change the overall design after approval, additional fees will be charged according to the amount of work required.

The standard turnaround time for the main front cover design is 10 working days, excluding the time spent waiting for your feedback. If you have selected multiple add-ons, please allow an additional 10–20 working days for their completion.
If you selected a special deal package or multiple add-ons at once, and would like to receive your main cover design as soon as it’s ready, there’s no need to wait for the full wrap (or any other add-ons) to be completed. We can send it to you as soon as it’s finalized.

Full payment of the remaining balance is due before the main cover design files are delivered.

MerryBookRound will grant you an exclusive license to use the final cover design, but ownership of the design will remain with MerryBookRound.

The client agrees not to alter the completed design in any way.
MerryBookRound will not provide PSD source files unless you have purchased an extended license for the cover design.
The stock images used in the creation of our designs are not included, but we will provide proof of their licenses.
All fonts used on our book covers are premium fonts licensed for commercial use. The same applies to all graphic elements used in the design.
The Blank Artwork add-on may only be used for promotional materials related to the original cover. Reusing the artwork, in whole or in part, to create new or different cover designs is strictly prohibited. Please feel free to contact us if you require an extended license.

Reselling a cover design while claiming it as your own work is strictly prohibited. However, if you no longer need the cover, you may request our permission before offering it for resale.
If permission is granted, the original buyer and the new buyer will handle the transaction directly and privately. We will provide new titling for an additional €50. If the cover is a premade that has not yet been customized, the new typography will be provided free of charge.
Any additional add-ons may be purchased separately, just as with any other cover. If the new buyer requests major modifications, additional fees will apply and will be arranged directly between the new buyer and MerryBookRound.

WHAT YOU’LL GET

This is what you will get when ordering a book cover form MerryBookRound:

EBOOK COVER

One high resolution file (2700×4050 pixels / RGB / 300dpi) in JPEG format.
A couple of 3D mockups for your promotional images.

FULLWRAP

Print-ready cover files (paperback, hardcover, and/or dust jacket, depending on your order) in both JPEG and PDF formats.
For Amazon KDP, we only require your trim size, page count, and paper color.
If you’re using another printing service (such as IngramSpark, BookVault, or similar), you will need to provide us with the cover template supplied by your printer before we begin preparing your full wrap.
If we prepare a full wrap using incorrect specifications and need to recreate it due to inaccurate information provided by the client, additional fees may apply.
The same applies to significant changes in the page count. If the page count initially provided differs substantially from the final version, additional fees may be charged

MAIN COVER DESIGN OPTIONS

Main Cover: Traditional book cover design.
Premium Foil Cover Design: A cover specifically designed for foil printing. Unlike a standard cover with full background artwork or detailed illustrations, this option features a deliberately minimal background—typically a solid color or subtle texture—allowing all design elements to be rendered in foil. This makes the foil the primary focal point of the cover. If you select this option, one full-wrap export (either paperback or hardcover) is included. A dust jacket is available as an add-on.
Typography-Only: if you only need a fancy typography with no artwork attached. Please go order it directly from the add-ons page or via e-mail.

AVAILABLE ADD-ONS

Standard Foil Print Export: It retains most of the existing design elements. In this option, the typography and selected design elements will be finished in foil, while the overall design remains unchanged. This option is intended as an add-on to your Main Design option.
Standard Sprayed Edges: A simple design or texture matching your main book cover.
End Pages: A decorative design or texture matching your main book cover.
Title Pages: A decorative design or texture featuring your book title.
Chapter Headers: Ornamental decorations or simple illustrated designs. Up to five chapter headers included.
Standard Bookmark: Double-sided bookmark with a simple design (non-foil).
Foil Printing Bookmark: Double-sided bookmark with foil printing files included.
AudioBook Cover: Square format (4050 × 4050 pixels, or another size if specified), delivered as a JPEG. This add-on is intended for self-published audiobooks only. If your audiobook will be produced or distributed by a third-party publisher (such as Podium, Tantor, or similar), please ask your publisher to contact us directly. They will need to obtain the appropriate license for the cover artwork directly from MerryBookRound. In this case, you won’t need to purchase the Audiobook Cover add-on separately.
Blank Artwork: Artwork without typography, delivered as a separate file. It may only be used for promotional materials related to the original cover. Reusing the artwork, in whole or in part, to create new or different cover designs is strictly prohibited.
Social media package:
- Facebook banner for your page or group.
- Facebook post graphics.
- Instagram post graphics.
- 3D book mockups with transparent backgrounds.
- Up to three A+ Content banners

Please note: Bookmarks, sprayed edges, end pages, and chapter headers add-ons can also be ordered even if we didn’t design your book cover. These add-ons are available as standalone services.

All other add-ons are only available for covers designed by MerryBookRound and cannot be purchased separately.

You can see samples of the various add-ons here.

SPECIAL DEALS

LAUNCHING DEAL

Main/Front Cover Design (eBook)
One full-wrap export (you can choose between paperback and hardcover)
Social Media Images
Standard Bookmark
Typography Isolated Layer

PREMIUM PRINTING DEAL

Main/Front Cover Design (eBook)
One full-wrap export (you can choose between paperback and hardcover)
Standard Foil Printing Export (typography based foil)
Sprayed Edges
Foil Print Bookmark
Typography Isolated Layer

KICKSTARTER BUNDLE

One KS Main graphics (top cover).
Page Title Headers (unlimited numbers if they keep the same template).
Up to five KS Post graphics.

FULL PACKAGE DEAL (no longer available for future commissions)

The classic full-package deal is no longer available on the website, but it’s still valid for whoever booked a custom cover with us before January 2025, and for the series continuation of covers realized before 2025. The packages included.

Main Design (eBook) + Paperback
Blank Artwork: text free blank artwork and separated typography in PNG version.
AudioBook Cover: square format (4050×4050 pixels) suitable for Audiobook and Vella Covers in JPEG.
Previous Social media package:
- Facebook Group and Page Covers
- Facebook Posts Images
- Instagram Posts Images
- High resolution Web Header
- 3D Mockup with transparent background of your book

Hardcovers, Dust Jacket, and Foil exports were NOT included. They can be purchased separately.

You can still reach the mail-form for this classic deal on the website here.

If you choose one of our special deal packages with discounted pricing, payment for all included services is required upfront. We will issue two invoices for 50% of the total amount each (deposit and final balance), following the payment process described in the “How It Works” section, even if you don’t need all the services immediately.

If you prefer to pay only for the services you currently need and purchase additional services later, please select the individual options instead.

Any add-on may also be purchased separately at a later date.

IMAGE USAGE

Important note: The Blank Artwork add-on includes a lower-resolution version of the cover. It may only be used for commercial purposes related to the original book for which the cover was designed.

The artwork may not be altered in any way, including by adding custom typography, nor may it be used to create new designs or other content.

If you require extended licensing, please contact us before use.

STOCK USAGE

We use several types of licensed assets to create our cover designs, and different licensing terms apply depending on their source.

THIRD PARTIES STOCK WEBSITES:

Most of the Royalty Free images used on book covers come from Shutterstock.com, Depositphotos.com.

The price of your book cover includes the license to use these images for up to 500,000 printed copies and 500,000 eBook sales.

If you require unlimited usage, an additional fee for an extended license will apply. Please let us know in advance if this is something you need.

If you would like us to use an image that you already own, we will be happy to include it in your custom cover design, provided that it is high resolution (minimum 2081 × 1400 pixels at 300 dpi) and that you hold a valid commercial license for its use.
Please let us know where the image was obtained and provide proof that it is licensed for commercial use. Supplying your own image will not affect the final price of your cover.

Reselling the artwork in any form is strictly prohibited.

For book covers that include stock images, the images used in our designs are owned by the photographers who created them and are licensed through Shutterstock or Depositphotos (or other stock images site). For this reason, they may not be reused or resold in any form other than as part of the original book cover design.

The following restrictions are determined by the stock image providers and are not set by MerryBookRound:

You may not sell or distribute merchandise featuring the cover design (such as mugs, T-shirts, bookmarks, or similar products) unless you have obtained an extended license for the stock images used. Please contact us if you require one.
You may create such items for personal use only.
You may distribute promotional materials such as flyers, postcards, and bookmarks provided they include your own branding or contact information (for example, as promotional business cards) and the total number of printed copies does not exceed 500,000.

MerryBookRound accepts no responsibility for any misuse of the licensed artwork or for violations of these licensing terms.

For more information on the licensing of images, please visit www.shutterstock.com/licensing and www.depositphotos.com/license.html

3D RENDERS:

We also create custom 3D renders using DAZ Studio and Blender. There are no usage restrictions on our original 3D renders, as their extended licensing is included in the price of the cover.

This means that book covers created entirely with our 3D renders include extended licensing, making them suitable for any type of commercial or promotional use.

ENVATO:

Another source we frequently use is envato.com

Assets licensed through Envato may be used commercially for promotional purposes, in accordance with Envato’s licensing terms.

When delivering your book cover, we always provide proof of the licenses for all assets used in the design, so you can clearly understand the permitted usage rights for each asset.

FULLWRAP – CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Please remember to order a proof copy of your cover from your printer before publishing your book. This allows you to check the colors, print quality, paper, and overall appearance. MerryBookRound cannot be held financially or legally responsible for any printing errors made by your printing service.

The client is responsible for providing the final specifications for the print cover, including the trim size and final page count.

Please make sure all measurements, specifications, and templates are correct before we begin preparing your print files. If incorrect information is provided and the files need to be recreated, additional time, work, and fees may apply.

If you’re publishing through Amazon KDP, we only require the trim size, paper color, and final page count (including front matter, end matter, author’s notes, table of contents, acknowledgements, or any other pages included in the book).

We cannot accept responsibility for any issues resulting from incorrect information or specifications provided by the client.

If you’re using another printing service (such as IngramSpark, BookVault, or similar), you will need to provide us with the cover template supplied by your printer before we begin preparing your full wrap.

REVISIONS

Once a cover has been approved and finalized, no further revisions are included. Any additional changes requested after approval will be subject to an extra fee, depending on the amount of work required.

If we prepare a full wrap using incorrect specifications and need to recreate it due to inaccurate information provided by the client, additional fees may apply. The same applies to significant changes in the page count. If the final page count differs substantially from the one originally provided, additional fees may apply.

TIMESCALE

Once your project starts, it usually takes up to 10 working days to finalize the main cover design (excluding the time spent waiting for your feedback). However, this timeframe may be extended if the drafting phase takes longer than expected due to major changes or new ideas introduced later in the process.

If you selected multiple add-ons, please allow an additional 10–20 working days for their completion.

When you choose a special deal package or multiple add-ons where a lot of files are involved, the main cover design can, upon request, be delivered as soon as it is finalized, without waiting for the remaining add-ons. Any additional services will be delivered separately as they are completed.

Full payment is due before the final main cover files are delivered, even if you choose to receive them as soon as they are ready.

We are usually booked several months in advance, so please allow for a waiting period of at least 2–3 months between your first inquiry and the start of your project.

If you’re in a hurry, we may be able to offer you a Bonus Slot (subject to availability), allowing your project to start much earlier than our regular schedule. In this case, the turnaround time will be longer because your project will be worked on in between other ongoing commissions. The pace will be slower (up to 30 working days), but you won’t have to wait several months before getting started. The choice is yours.

PAYMENTS

We accept payments via PayPal (+commercial fee) and bank transfer. No payment plans are allowed.

ATTRIBUTION

Crediting MerryBookRound is optional, but very much appreciated. Clients are welcome to credit us by adding “Cover design by MerryBookRound.” Thank you!