The Dust Jacket Chronicles: A Tale of Trials, Errors, and printable dust jackets for everyone!

If you’ve been following me (probably not considering the few followers I’ve got on my new Instagram…), you might know that I recently completed my first-ever dust jacket set. As exciting as it was to take on this project, it wasn’t without its challenges! I’m sharing a little behind-the-scenes look at the process – the ups, the downs, and all the moments in between.

Creating dust jackets was something I had always wanted to try, but it turned out to be trickier than I anticipated. The hardest part? Getting the size just right! There are so many different editions out there, each with its own dimensions, and I wanted to ensure that my designs fit perfectly on all of them. Let’s just say, there were plenty of paper drafts tossed aside as I worked through the sizing 👀 don’t judge me!

I started by sketching the illustrations that would eventually become the covers, and with each stage, I realized more and more how much attention to detail this project required.

Here’s a little glimpse into the process behind the dust jackets! It all started with rough sketches, where I tried to figure out the layout and general idea. From there, I slowly worked through the details and added color bit by bit. It was definitely a process of trial and error. But with every misstep, I also learned something new. It took a long time to perfect each cover, but I’m so proud of how they turned out.I hope it gives you a glimpse of the hard work, and maybe even a chuckle at the not-so-perfect draft along the way!

Now, here’s where things get real: I wanted to keep these dust jackets affordable. And, as you might imagine, living in France doesn’t exactly make printing a box set of dust jackets a budget-friendly task. I looked into local and international printing houses, but with the cost of running a small business in France (plus shipping, taxes, and general ‘how-do-you-even-make-this-profitable’ moments), I would have had to price the set at at least 85€. I mean, that’s more than the cost of the books themselves – and that’s before we even talk about shipping, packaging, and my coffee addiction… Crazy!

So, instead, I turned to the digital aspect! I wanted something that could work for any English box set edition (yes, more work for me, but worth it for you!). This way, people could print the jackets at a price that fit their budget. If you’re after top-notch quality, you can always turn to a specialized printing service. But if you’re looking for something more affordable, you can simply print it at Office Depot in the U.S. for about $15. It’s a win-win: I get to make art that’s accessible, and you get a budget-friendly way to dress up your books.

Here are the books: 

If you'd like to have a look, the set is available HERE.

Even though this project was hard work (and let’s not forget the many, many paper drafts and ink wasted ⚰️), it’s been so rewarding to see people appreciating the finished designs. Knowing that my dust jackets are dressing up bookshelves around the world makes all the effort worth it! And who knows… I might have plans for a new set in 2025 based on another beloved series. Any guesses? 😉

Bye for now,

Kayana