HOW IT WORKS When I’m ready to start your project (I am usually able to give you an estimated start date), I will request a 50% advance payment to secure your spot. Once the advance is received, I begin working on the overall concept, composition, and visual direction of your cover. Depending on the project, this phase may include researching visual approaches, selecting or testing suitable stock images or references, and, if needed, sharing links to stock image libraries in case you wish to be involved in the selection process or if I need clarification on specific details. After a few days, I will send you a preliminary draft. This draft is for internal evaluation only and may consist of:

• low-resolution comp images that have not yet been purchased
• a mix of low- and high-resolution images
• a rough layout, sketch, or unfinished illustration (in the case of in-house illustrations)

Preliminary drafts are not final artwork and may not be shared publicly, posted online, or shown in forums or groups. Some stock image providers explicitly prohibit the public display of unlicensed comp images. Once you provide your feedback, I will refine the design accordingly. After approval of the general direction, I will purchase the necessary high-resolution assets (when applicable) and rebuild the cover with full attention to typography, details, and final polish. From this point on, we will exchange drafts and feedback until the cover is finalized. When the design is complete, I will send you the final version for last review. Please check it very carefully, as any changes requested after the delivery of the final files will be charged separately. After your final approval, you will receive a PayPal invoice for the remaining balance. Once the payment has cleared, I will deliver:

• the final ebook cover in two sizes
• a 3D version for promotional purposes

By commissioning a cover and returning the completed questionnaire, the Client acknowledges and accepts this workflow and the terms described below.

COPYRIGHT, LICENSE & USE OF THE ARTWORK

Once the full payment has been received, I grant the Client an exclusive, non-transferable license to use the final, flattened version of the artwork solely for the publication and promotion of the specific book for which it was commissioned. All artwork, including but not limited to concepts, drafts, layouts, visual style, composition, image and font placement, and source files (including layered PSD files), remains the exclusive intellectual property of the artist, unless a full copyright transfer is explicitly agreed in writing and paid for separately.

SOURCE FILES (PSD AND WORKING FILES)

The artwork will be delivered as JPEG files and, for printable covers, also in PDF format. Source files, including layered PSD files, are not provided. A flattened version of the image without text, and the text elements provided as PNG files without background, can be supplied at an additional cost for marketing purposes only. Even if a PSD or other working files are provided by separate agreement, this does not imply a transfer of copyright or unrestricted usage rights. The Client may not:

• resell, sublicense, distribute, or share the PSD or any source files
• modify, adapt, or repurpose the artwork beyond the originally agreed use
• use the artwork or its components for other books, editions, or products without written consent

Possession of a PSD does not override copyright law or any licensing restrictions attached to the artwork or its components.

THIRD-PARTY ASSETS, STOCK IMAGES & LICENSES

For my covers I may use photos I shoot, illustrations I draw, and program assets I create and/or purchase. The stock image licenses I typically use allow:

• unlimited sales for ebooks
• up to 500,000 copies for printed books

This is a very high number and difficult to reach, but it is the Client’s responsibility to inform me if an extended license is required. I will indicate where such licenses can be purchased. The Standard License allows the creation of digital promotional material using the delivered artwork. For physical products, you may create basic promotional items such as business cards, information leaflets, and flyers. Some physical or commercial uses require an Extended License (for reference: https://depositphotos.com/license-comparison.html). In the case of in-house illustrations, the Client may use the cover printed on any item, but may not create variations or reuse the illustration for other books or covers.

ARTWORK TRANSFER TO THIRD PARTIES

The artwork may not be transferred, sublicensed, or handed over to any third party, including but not limited to:

• publishers
• audiobook publishers or producers
• distribution platforms
• marketing or advertising agencies

This explicitly includes the creation of audiobook covers or any adapted version of the artwork. The Client may not authorize a publisher or third party to modify, recreate, adapt, or derive new artwork from the original cover. If an audiobook cover or any other adapted version is required, it must be commissioned directly from me or explicitly authorized in writing, with any applicable redesign fees or license upgrades agreed in advance.

SERIES, STYLE & RECREATION OF THE ARTWORK

The delivered artwork, including its visual style, composition, and overall design identity, may not be recreated, replicated, or used as a template—either by the Client or by third parties—without prior written agreement. This includes:

• creating additional covers for the same series
• commissioning other designers to produce covers that match or closely imitate the original design
• creating new covers independently that are clearly derived from the original artwork

Any continuation of a series or creation of coordinated or matching covers must be agreed with the original artist or covered by a separate licensing agreement. I maintain full copyright of all designs delivered and of all discarded preliminary drafts or concepts. I reserve the right to alter and reuse discarded concepts (excluding any elements uniquely identifying the Client or their work) for other projects or premade covers. No ideas obtained from discarded drafts or concepts may be used by the Client.

AUDIOBOOK LICENSES FOR PUBLISHERS

Publishers may license either:

1. Layered Artwork License

A layered production file containing the artwork and text on separate layers. This license grants the publisher the right to modify the cover solely for the creation and distribution of the audiobook edition of the specific title.

2. Finished JPG License

A completed flattened JPG audiobook cover prepared by Daniela Colleo. This file is licensed as finished artwork only and may not be modified, altered, or adapted after delivery. Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

• the license is granted exclusively for the audiobook edition of the specific title;
• the publisher may not reuse the artwork, or any individual design elements extracted from it, for any other book, publication, or product;
• the layered artwork may be used solely by the publisher and its employees or contractors involved in the production of the audiobook edition;
• the layered artwork may not be distributed, transferred, sublicensed, or provided to any unrelated third party.

Copyright and all intellectual property rights remain exclusively with Daniela Colleo. This license grants limited usage rights only. No ownership of the artwork or any of its individual elements is transferred. Any use beyond the scope of this license requires prior written permission from Daniela Colleo.

CLIENT-PROVIDED IMAGES

If the Client asks me to work on one or more images they provide, the Client acknowledges that they must have acquired the proper license for those images and must provide proof of such license upon request. Images in the public domain are not accepted. In the event of a dispute involving material provided by the Client, the Client agrees to assume full legal and financial responsibility and to indemnify, hold harmless, and defend Daniela Colleo from any copyright or permission infringement claims resulting from materials supplied by the Client.

ATTRIBUTION & PORTFOLIO USE

Attribution is appreciated but not required. If you would like to credit my work, you may use one of the following: Cover Design by Daniela Colleo of https://www.StunningBookCovers.com (with a working link) Cover Design by Daniela Colleo of StunningBookCovers.com (without a link) For covers featuring my original illustrations: Cover Illustration and Design by Daniela Colleo of https://www.StunningBookCovers.com (with a working link) Cover Illustration and Design by Daniela Colleo of StunningBookCovers.com (without a link) Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Daniela Colleo reserves the right to display the completed cover in her portfolio, website, and promotional materials.

PAYMENTS & FINAL NOTES

The week before the start of the project, I will send a PayPal invoice for the 50% advance payment. The balance is due before delivery of the final files. US residents may pay in US Dollars. All other payments will be requested in Euros, using the exchange rate of the invoice date. Any change requested after the delivery of the final files will incur an additional fee.