How Much Do Children’s Book Illustrations Cost?

Children’s book illustrations can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, depending on the artwork and the project. At Publishmojo, our rate is $50 per illustration. That makes 12 illustrations $600, 16 illustrations $800, and 20 illustrations $1,000 before other services.

For a broader comparison, Reedsy’s publishing cost guide, updated in August 2026, lists $1,890 to $6,990 to hire an illustrator for a 24-page children’s book. That is a marketplace benchmark. Your quote will depend on the number and type of pictures, the illustrator, and the agreed work.

The first step is to count the artwork your story needs. Then check what each price includes. A book’s page count alone will not give you a reliable illustration budget.

What does an illustration price cover

Illustrators may charge for each image, each page, each spread, or the whole project. These units can mean different amounts of work.

A spot illustration is a small image, often without a full background. It might show a character, an object, or one action. A full-page illustration fills one page. A two-page spread is a scene that extends across two facing pages.

For example, Reedsy’s guide to hiring an illustrator lists $60 to $200 for a single-page illustration and $100 to $400 for a two-page spread. These are reference ranges from its marketplace, not rates that every illustrator follows.

As another published example, US Illustrations lists starting rates of $120 for a standard 2D spot illustration, $175 for a full page, and $300 for a spread. Its layout service is priced separately. These are that provider’s starting prices, checked in October 2026.

Before comparing quotes, ask each provider to price the same artwork list. A quote for small character images will not tell you the cost of scenes with backgrounds and several characters.

Why page count and illustration count differ

A 32-page book does not automatically need 32 separate illustrations. Some pages may contain a title, copyright information, or text. One picture may cover two facing pages. Another page may contain several small pictures.

Hypothetical example: A plan with 12 illustrated spreads uses 12 pieces of artwork across 24 pages. If you also want two separate spot illustrations, your artwork list contains 14 pieces. The cover is another item to discuss.

This does not mean every piece should cost the same. The illustrator may quote one rate for a spot and another for a spread.

Make a page plan before requesting a quote. Write down what happens in each scene, which characters appear, and where the text will sit. Our guide to self-publishing a children’s book explains how illustration fits into the publishing process.

What can change your illustration budget

The amount of work in each scene

Style, backgrounds, and the number of characters help define the work. Show the illustrator examples of the look you want, then describe the scenes in your own story. Ask whether the quote covers every planned character and background.

A short book can still need substantial artwork. Describe the pictures you want instead of assuming that a short manuscript will cost less to illustrate.

Character design and planning

Ask whether the price includes character sketches and a storyboard. A storyboard is a rough plan showing how the pictures and text move through the book.

Review the character’s appearance before approving every scene. Check clothing, proportions, expressions, and any details that must stay consistent. Then confirm whether character sheets are included in the price or quoted separately.

Revisions and changes to the story

Ask how many revision rounds are included and when you can request them. Also ask what happens if you change an approved character, setting, or scene.

Finish major story edits before final artwork begins. If you change a scene after it has been illustrated, the picture may also need to change. Review sketches carefully and send your requested changes together.

The files and uses you need

Tell the illustrator which editions you plan to publish and which printing service you expect to use. Confirm the book’s size, text placement, and file requirements before the final art is made.

Also ask the agreement to state how you may use the images. Discuss print books, ebooks, advertising, translations, and merchandise if those uses apply. Confirm whether the agreement provides a license or transfers copyright, and whether any requested uses cost extra. The Association of Illustrators’ pricing guide explains why usage, territory, and duration matter when setting a fee.

How to calculate your illustration cost

When every agreed illustration has the same rate, multiply that rate by the number of illustrations. If the rates differ, calculate the total for each type, then add those amounts together.

At Publishmojo’s $50 per illustration rate, the artwork totals are:

·        12 illustrations: $600.

·        16 illustrations: $800.

·        20 illustrations: $1,000.

·        24 illustrations: $1,200.

These calculations cover the illustration fee only. Under our children’s book illustration service, one illustration can fill a single page or stretch across two pages for the same $50 price. Source files and one revision within your original request are included. Confirm the scene list and scope with us before placing an order.

A sample budget with formatting and cover design

Hypothetical example: You order 16 illustrations at $50 each, children’s book formatting at our flat $200 rate, and cover design at our flat $100 rate.

Your illustration fee is $800. Adding formatting and cover design brings this example to $1,100.

This example assumes those services cover the agreed project. Editing, printing, and other purchases are outside this calculation. Confirm whether the cover will use existing artwork or needs a separate illustration.

For the other costs to plan for, read our guide to how much it costs to publish a children’s book.

Questions to ask before hiring an illustrator

Get a written quote that answers these questions:

·        How many spots, full pages, and spreads are included?

·        Are character sketches, a storyboard, and cover artwork included?

·        How many revision rounds does the price cover?

·        What files will I receive, and is formatting included?

·        What uses of the artwork does the agreement allow?

·        What are the payment stages and delivery dates?

·        How are additions or changes to approved work priced?

Review several pictures from the same book when possible. Look for a character who stays recognizable across different scenes. Check that the pictures leave room for text and help the reader follow the story.

How to keep illustration costs within your budget

Start with an edited manuscript and a page plan. Then identify which moments need a full scene and which could work as a smaller image. Ask the illustrator how those choices affect the quote.

Agree on the character design before work begins across the whole book. If you want a sample, confirm its price and purpose first. A sample can help you assess the style before ordering the remaining artwork.

Keep the project brief in one document. Include your scene list, character details, book size, and intended readers. Clear decisions give the illustrator a firmer basis for the price.

Request a quote for your children’s book

Your next step is to list the pictures your story needs. Separate spots, single pages, spreads, and cover artwork. Then request a quote based on that list.

At Publishmojo, we offer children’s book illustrations and publishing support. Our illustration rate is $50 per illustration. Contact us with your manuscript, illustration ideas, intended age group, and the services you need so we can discuss the work and pricing before you order.