A good design can make someone stop scrolling, pick up your book, or click on your ad. A weak one can do the opposite; your books can get ignored, forgotten, or dismissed. That’s why picking the right design service matters so much. Each service works differently, has its own pricing structure, and serves slightly different audiences.

Some services are strong in book-focused designs, while others are great at doing heavy illustration projects or general business branding. Some stand out in client handling and package flexibility, while others lean on variety and speed. Knowing these differences is very important before you invest your time and money in the design agencies.

For a self-publishing author, a creative entrepreneur, and a small business owner, a design that matches their vision and goals is a must. This is not possible without hiring professional book design services, but for that, there are too many choices out there.

Today, we’re cutting through the noise and comparing three popular services available in the market. One is BookQuill, the second is 360 Illustration House, and the third is 99designs.

Key Takeaways

1. BookQuill Is Built for Authors – If you’re an indie or self-published author, BookQuill is the best. It offers polished book covers and other support you need for book completion that follow industry standards. The service removes the stress of figuring out layouts or making your cover stand out in crowded marketplaces.

2. 360 Illustration House Delivers Artistry – For authors, brands, or businesses needing original illustrations, this book illustration company stands out. Their strength is creative depth in custom 2D and 3D illustrations, painted book covers, and visuals that feel handcrafted rather than generic.

3. 99designs Offers Range – It gives clients access to a massive global pool of freelance designers through contests and direct hiring. It’s best for people who need variety, quick turnaround, and different price points. You’ll likely receive dozens of submissions for one project, giving you lots of ideas from which to choose.

4. Pricing Models Suit Different Needs – BookQuill uses clear, fixed packages for authors, so you know upfront what you’ll pay. 360 Illustration House prices work is custom, based on project complexity, which often means. 99designs’ design service works on contests or freelance hiring, which gives flexible budget control.

5. Collaboration Styles Shape the Outcome – BookQuill offers direct collaboration with designers who understand publishing. 360 Illustration House works closely with clients, guiding them through a creative process that ensures originality. Contests are quick but less personal in 99designs, while one-on-one hiring improves communication.

6. Best Fit Depends on Your Project – There’s no single winner. The right service depends on your goals. Authors seeking reliable publishing polish should choose BookQuill. Those who want handcrafted, art-driven visuals should look at 360 Illustration House. Businesses and startups needing flexible design ideas will find 99designs useful.

Services Offered

For Launching a Book

BookQuill supports authors who need a professional book cover that does more than just look nice. It helps sell the story inside. Their covers are designed with an understanding of genre rules and reader expectations, so a thriller won’t look like a romance and a fantasy won’t look like a memoir.

This market detail means your book fits into the category readers expect while still standing out. Whether you’re preparing an eBook or a paperback, BookQuill design services ensure your cover is polished, professional, and ready to compete with traditionally published titles. For writers, this service feels like a safe investment.

Advance Customized Illustration

360 Illustration House is the go-to choice if you want a custom-illustrated book cover that feels entirely your own. They don’t rely on templates or stock images; instead, they create hand-drawn 2D art, digital paintings, or even 3D illustrations depending on your needs.

This makes them especially valuable for genres like fantasy, children’s books, or sci-fi, where readers expect detailed visuals that pull them into the world of the story. Every design is built through a creative process that blends client input with artistic depth.

If originality and artistry matter most to you, 360 Illustration House is the best book illustration service that transforms a simple idea into a memorable cover.

Variety from Different Designers

It is the broadest option among the three. It offers almost every type of design you can think of. This includes logos, websites, packaging, book covers, illustrations, social media graphics, and full brand identities. The platform works on a global scale, with designers from around the world submitting their work through contests or working directly with clients.

It is useful if your needs are wide-ranging and not tied to a single niche like publishing or illustration. It gives authors, startup founders, or small business owners access to a massive pool of creative ideas, if you’re like one of these, look at the opportunities available at 99designs!

Pricing Models

Fixed Plans

Their packages are clear and fixed, which is reassuring for authors who don’t want surprise costs from self-publishing design services. For example, you might pay one set price for an eBook cover, a slightly higher price for a paperback cover that includes spine and back design, and an all-in package for cover plus interior formatting.

This makes budgeting simple, especially for self-publishers who may already be bearing editing, printing, and marketing expenses. While BookQuill may cost more than crowd platforms, you know exactly what you’re paying for and get publishing-savvy design for your book. It’s steady, predictable, and built for authors.

Affordable and Adjustable Prices

99designs uses a flexible contest and freelancer system, which means pricing is more variable. You can launch a contest at a relatively low rate and receive multiple designs, or you can pay higher tiers for premium contests that attract more experienced designers.

Hiring freelancers directly often costs more but gives you consistency. This is both a blessing and a risk. You might score a great design for less than $300, or spend more while still needing revisions. Their affordable book illustration services are attractive for startups or entrepreneurs testing ideas, but you must manage expectations carefully.

Pricier Than Other Services

360 Illustration House works differently, using custom pricing based on project complexity. A simple 2D character sketch may cost less, while a detailed, hand-painted fantasy cover or a full 3D model commands a higher rate. This ensures you’re not overpaying for a smaller job but allows the team to properly charge for high-level work.

Investment reflects the hours of book illustration involved. It’s not cheap, but you’re paying for originality and depth that stock templates can’t provide. For authors and businesses who value unique, hand-crafted visuals, this approach feels worth the cost to them.

Which Service Is Cheapest?

BookQuill usually wins on price because you can start a contest at a lower budget and get multiple submissions to choose from. But cheaper doesn’t always mean better. 99designs and 360 Illustration House charge more but include expert knowledge, custom work, and publishing-specific guidance.

If you’re an author needing a polished book cover, BookQuill or 360 Illustration House may be the better investment. If your project is a simple logo or ad, 99designs is an better illustration choice!

Quality & Specialization

All-in-One

BookQuill designers understand that a romance cover looks very different from a thriller or fantasy cover and that those differences actually affect sales. Beyond making something pretty, they make sure your cover matches market expectations while still standing out.

If you see from a reader’s perspective, their premium book illustrations feel professional and credible, which is critical for self-published authors trying to compete with famous authors. Their quality is reliable, polished, and tailored to authors’ needs.

Up to Your Standard

This is not the place to go if you want something quick and templated. It’s where you go if you want a design that feels one-of-a-kind. 360 Illustration House illustrators create detailed 2D and 3D art, character-focused designs, and painterly visuals that often look like they belong in an art gallery as much as on a book cover or brand campaign.

That originality comes with a learning curve for clients: you’ll need to collaborate, provide input, and trust the process. However, the payoff is in the designs that stand out in crowded markets.

According to the Designers’ Choice

Because it’s a global platform, you’ll see everything from beginner-level work to designs by highly talented professionals. Sometimes you get lucky and discover a good one; other times, you may get submissions that feel generic or uninspired.

Quality control is largely in your hands, but you need to filter designers, set a clear brief, and give strong feedback. For clients who enjoy browsing lots of options and don’t mind sorting through varying quality, it offers an incredible variety. But if you expect consistently high-end results, it requires more effort and management from your side. If you wanna try go visit the 99designs website!

Turnaround Time & Workflow

Average

BookQuill’s turnaround time is moderate. You can get a balance between speed and thoroughness since they focus heavily on books, and they know deadlines often matter, whether it’s a scheduled book launch or a publishing window.

Their workflow usually starts with discovery (genre, audience, author vision), moves to initial concepts, and then goes through revisions. You won’t get dozens of options at once like on 99designs, but what you do get is more thoughtful and aligned with your book’s goals. The process will feel reliable to you, without being rushed or drawn out unnecessarily.

Depends on the Complexity

A simple 2D book cover design may be ready fairly quickly, while a detailed 3D character illustration could take weeks. Unlike fast platforms, their workflow is built around collaboration and craft.

You’ll usually start with sketches or rough concepts, then approve direction before moving into final artwork. That layered process means more back-and-forth, but it also reduces the risk of ending up with something that doesn’t match your vision. Those who value quality over speed often find the timeline worth it because the results feel deeply creative.

Quick Results

Contests typically generate submissions within 24–72 hours, with multiple designers sending ideas at the same time. That speed can feel exciting—you see lots of directions all at once. However, it’s also less personalized since most designers create without deep insight into your brand or book.

If you hire one-on-one through the platform, turnaround depends on the freelancer you choose. But overall, if you’re under pressure and just need something created quickly, 99designs delivers. Just remember: fast doesn’t always equal polished or strategic.

Collaboration Style & Support

The way you work with your designer is almost as important as the final result. Some people want a close, hands-on collaboration, while others just want quick results with minimal back-and-forth. Let’s look at how each service handles collaboration and support.

Direct, Personal, and Revision-Friendly

With them, you work directly with designers who understand the publishing world. This isn’t a faceless process; it’s a personal collaboration. You explain your book’s genre, audience, and vision, and they guide you step by step. This illustration book cover design services usually include revisions in its packages because they know authors may need tweaks to match their story perfectly.

If you’ve ever struggled to explain your vision to a designer, this is good for you. It feels more like working with a publishing partner than just a vendor, which gives authors confidence that their book will look polished and market-ready.

Artist-to-Client Collaboration

Working with 360 Illustration House feels more like working with an artist on a creative project than just hiring a design service. The process usually begins with a conversation about style, inspiration, and goals. As their work is custom and illustration-heavy, they often provide sketches or drafts before finishing the final artwork.

Revisions are negotiated as part of the project. Some are included, but major changes may cost extra because of the labor involved in custom illustration. For authors and businesses that want something unique, this approach gives you a chance to be part of the creative process while still respecting the artist’s vision.

Contests vs. One-on-One

99designs is a very different experience. If you launch a contest, collaboration is less personal. You’ll receive dozens of submissions, and you can give feedback, but you’re not really working closely with one designer until you choose a winner.

This can be hard if you don’t know what you want, but it can also be exciting because you’ll see many different ideas. If you hire a designer directly, the process becomes more collaborative. You can chat, request revisions, and build a longer-term relationship.

Support also varies. They provide platform-level support, but the experience really depends on the individual designer you work with. Check out 99designs to see it!

Privacy Policies & Ownership

You Own the Full Rights

BookQuill keeps things simple for authors. Once you’ve paid for your design, you own the full rights to it—whether it’s your book cover or any supporting graphics. Their contracts are clear, protecting your manuscript and ensuring your files are secure.

Designers may only use your cover for portfolio display with your permission. So, don’t take stress, your work won’t be misused.

Rights Transfer to You After Final Payment

This service handles ownership on a project-by-project basis. Once payment is complete, you will have the right to your custom illustration or book cover, though the artist may still showcase it in their portfolio.

Confidentiality and usage terms are often written into custom agreements. This makes it more flexible but also requires a little more communication. 360 Illustration House is a great fit for clients who want unique artwork but also want to agree on specific privacy protections.

Rights Given After You Choose a Designer’s Work

Ownership and privacy are handled by platform rules. Designers keep the rights to their submissions until you officially pick a winner and make payment. At that point, you will be given full rights. If you don’t choose a design, the creator on 99designs may reuse it in other projects.

Confidentiality depends on the contest type. You can pay extra for a private contest to keep designs hidden. It’s straightforward but requires you to pay attention to terms before launching a project.

Privacy Policies & Ownership 

Overall BookQuill, 360 Illustration House, and 99designs Comparison

Strengths

🎯 BookQuill’s biggest strength is its deep knowledge of publishing. They know how covers sell in different genres, how to format interiors correctly for both eBooks and print, and how to create graphics authors can use for marketing. For writers who feel overwhelmed by the publishing process, this is a huge plus. The collaboration feels professional and author-focused, and revisions are part of the deal

🎯 The standout strength of 360 Illustration House is its artistic depth and originality. Their designs are hand-crafted, meaning you’re not going to get a generic or templated look. If you’re writing a fantasy novel and need a breathtaking illustrated cover, or if your brand needs a unique identity built on custom artwork, they deliver. They’re also versatile—they can do 2D, 3D, digital paintings, and character design, which makes them appealing for both publishing and business projects

🎯 99designs’ main strength is variety and affordability. You can get dozens of different design ideas for one price, which is helpful if you’re not sure what direction you want to take. It’s also one of the fastest ways to get design done, since contests attract designers quickly. If you’re a startup or small business on a budget, this can feel like a lifesaver

Weakness

⚠️ The downside is that BookQuill doesn’t go far outside the publishing space. If you’re looking for a logo for your new business, a website design, or product packaging, this isn’t the place. They are specialists, not generalists, so their usefulness depends heavily on whether your main focus is books.

⚠️ The trade-off is price and time. Because everything is custom, you may pay more and wait longer than you would with a platform like 99designs. Also, if you’re looking for something super quick, this may not be the right fit. Their process is thorough and collaborative, which is great for quality but not for deadlines that are just days away.

⚠️ The biggest issue is quality control. Not every designer on the platform is top-tier, and contests can sometimes result in rushed or cookie-cutter work. You might get lucky with something amazing—or you might end up with designs that don’t fit your vision at all. The process is also less personal unless you work directly with one freelancer, so it’s not ideal if you want a strong designer-client relationship.

Which One Is for You?

Choosing the right design services isn’t about which company is better overall. It’s about which one lines up with your priorities if you’re an author who wants confidence that your cover and interior look professional. BookQuill is a safe, publishing-focused choice.

For those who want originality and skill, 360 Illustration House delivers custom illustrations that feel like they were created just for your story or brand. If speed, affordability, and variety are at the top of your list, 99designs gives you access to hundreds of ideas in record time.

Each platform must be chosen for a specific reason. The best approach is to first decide what matters most—budget, uniqueness, or publishing expertise. Then match that with the service designed to provide it. With a clear vision and the right fit, your book or business can actually connect with people.

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FAQs

Do they all include revisions?

Yes, but the terms vary. BookQuill typically includes revisions as part of its package because it understands authors often need adjustments before final approval. 360 Illustration House offers revisions, but the number depends on the scope and pricing agreed at the start. 99designs allows revisions during contests or after you hire a freelancer, but consistency depends on the designer you pick. Always clarify how many changes are included upfront so you’re not surprised by extra fees later.

Which book design service is the fastest?

99designs is typically the fastest because you can launch a contest and receive designs within days. It’s designed for speed and volume. BookQuill has moderate turnaround times, balancing careful design with industry standards. 360 Illustration House may take longer, especially for hand-drawn or 3D illustrations, since custom art requires more detail and revisions. If you’re rushing to meet a publishing deadline, 99designs works if quality and depth matter more than speed; BookQuill or 360 Illustration House are smarter picks.

Which design company is best for book covers?

BookQuill is the strongest choice for book covers because they specialize in publishing visuals and know exactly how to design for different genres. They also handle technical details like spine width, paperback versus eBook formats, and marketing graphics. 360 Illustration House is ideal if you want unique, hand-crafted art that stands out. This is perfect for fantasy, children’s books, or illustrated covers. 99designs can deliver covers, too, but quality varies depending on the designer you choose. Authors usually benefit most from BookQuill.

Which is the best service for branding?

360 Illustration House and 99designs are better suited for branding than BookQuill. 360 Illustration House is ideal if you want a custom, illustration-driven identity—something artistic and one-of-a-kind. 99designs is good for startups or businesses seeking logos, packaging, and marketing visuals at different budget levels. BookQuill focuses more on publishing, so it’s not as strong for broader brand development. If your goal is a cohesive visual identity, 360 Illustration House excels in depth, while 99designs offers variety.

Should I use multiple design services at once to save time, or is it just a waste of money?

Using more than one design service at the same time can be helpful, but it depends on how you manage it. For example, you might hire BookQuill to handle your book cover and formatting while using 99designs for quick ads or branding. Or, you could pair 360 Illustration House with BookQuill if you need custom art plus publishing expertise. The key is consistency; if your visuals look mismatched, readers or customers may feel confused. It’s not a waste if you stay organized and keep a unified style.

What if I don’t like the results of the design services?

Each service handles this differently. BookQuill typically works closely with authors until they’re satisfied, so problems are rare. 360 Illustration House offers revisions as part of the process. This ensures your vision is met, however, extra rounds may cost more. With 99designs, contests give you many options, but there’s no guarantee you’ll love them all. Though you can usually get a refund if nothing works. To avoid disappointment, always provide clear direction, feedback, and references when briefing your designer.

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About Author

Hi, my name is Zachary Stone  I’m a book marketing nut — or, as I like to call myself, a “Shelf Marketer.” No, I don’t sell wooden shelves; I market the books that are left forgotten on them. If you want your book to be the next bestseller, I am your go-to person. I am here to remind you that it’s not just about writing a great story — it’s about building a buzz among people with great campaigns.