Today, weβre going to talk about my design process! This has taken me so long to perfect, but with the help of an amazing software named Dubsado I’ve really amped up my business game for you, the client, to have an amazing experience!
Step One β Booking
Once you have booked a service with me, I will begin working on your paperwork. Paperwork can sound scary, but I promise what it isβis awesome, fun and not as bad as it sounds.
So, first things first. Once weβve secured a project start date, Iβll enter your name into my client management system, along with your email and the details of your project.
P.S. I use a client management system because it keeps everything for me in order and gives you some amazing features as well as keeping all of files, invoices, emails and contracts organized for you!
Once your information is entered in, youβll receive a project confirmation email that contains your project details, some instructions on what to expect and the link to your client portal, along with your login information.
Roughly an hour after you receive your project confirmation email, you will receive a contract which has my companies terms and conditions laid out for you to review and sign electonically. You will only have to sign this contract once.
Roughly an hour after that you will receive your invoice which will be sent to your email address provided. I sent emails a few hours apart so I donβt fill up your inbox before youβve even sat down LOL!
The invoice you will receive will be set for the full cost of your service, but a deposit payment and remaining balance schedule attached to it with appropriate dates.
Your deposit is due at time of booking in order to secure your date. Your remaining balance will be due 5 days before your scheduled date. Before any booking can be finalized, your deposit must be paid and your contract must be read, signed and returned electronically.
Step Twoβ Collecting Information
You will receive an email outlining your book information such as dates, the type of service and the appropriate design form to fill out with information on your project. This form will not be βdueβ until 5 days before your scheduled date but is appreciated as soon as possible. Please do not fill out the form unless you are 100% ready to provide all of the necessary information. The form you will receive has an upload box at the end of the page where you can upload things such as a book cover image, blurbs, cover images, inspirational images for your design, manuscripts to be formatting, etc. Images from Depositphotos are included in the price of any design package, so please feel free to take a look at their website for image ideas.
Step Threeβ Reminders
A few days before your scheduled date, you will receive a reminder email that does simply that, reminds you we have a scheduled date coming up. This is also a great time to double check that youβve paid the remaining balance on your invoice.
Step Fourβ Beginning
Your big day is here, and I am just as excited as you. Today I will start the work on your design or service. I will start your initial design based on the information provided from your form. Please allow 7-10 Business Days to receive your initial design from me for approval.
Your proof design will be sent attached to a Design Proof Form and you will be
Once the initial design has been reviewed by you, we can begin making your revisions if necessary. If revisions are requested, please allow an additional 7-10 Business Days for your revised design concept.
Step Fiveβ Final Files
Hopefully, we didnβt need to do any revisions because you loved your design the first time around and now you have given final approval.
Please review your files carefully. Once final approval is given on designs, there will be an additional fee to make any more changes even if you are within your free revision limit per my discretion on the amount of additional work needed. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but I have this policy to keep my schedule flowing smoothly.
Once final approval is given and files have been finished, you will receive an email with a link to click for your final files. You will be able to view and download your files from this link.
Your final files will also be available in your client portal under the βprojectsβ tab.
Step Sixβ Printing & Distrubution
Now you are ready to have your design printed by the distributor of your choosing.
Book Covers:
If a blurb for cover design was not provided at the time of service, please send us the blurb at this time so we can place it on your book cover. For printing, we will need the trim size of your book cover, a final page count (please do not round this number), your page color (crème or white) and choosen your print distributor. If you are only now providing your blurb for your book cover, we will be creating your 3D book cover at this time as well. You will receive a PDF file in your Dropbox file and the correct 3D book cover graphic.
Step Sixβ The Big Reveal
The day has come, congratulations! Please make sure to tag T.E. Black Designs in any posts on social media including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.