How long does it take to illustrate a children’s book?
Around three months from signed brief to print ready files. Here is where those months actually go, and what you will be doing while they do.
Month 1
Sketches and roughs
- Character designs and visual planning
- Rough sketches for every spread
- Author feedback and revisions
Your part
The busiest month for you. This is where changes are cheap, so this is where we want them.
Month 2
Final artwork
- Clean linework
- Colouring and detailed rendering
- Author reviews along the way
Your part
Lighter. You see the artwork as it develops rather than all at once at the end.
Month 3
Finalisation
- Final artwork adjustments
- Cover and end pages
- Final files prepared for print and digital
Your part
Mostly sign off, plus confirming the printer's specification so the files go out correctly.
What makes it longer
A large cast pushes the first month out, because nothing can be drawn properly until the characters are settled. Slow feedback on the roughs moves everything after it. Books longer than 32 pages, and books needing extra cover variants, take proportionally longer.
Working backwards from a date
If you have a launch date in mind, count back three months from when you need print ready files, and add whatever your printer needs on top. Tell us the date in your first email and you will get a schedule back that either works or says honestly that it does not.