More than illustrations, a creative partner.
Illustration is the most visible part of a children's book, but it is not the only one needed to successfully create it. Things like industry research, avoiding common mistakes, understanding of the creative process and managing timeline and costs are some of the hurdles that take away from the excitement, and add to the uncertainty.
Most of the authors we work with are making their first book, and questions naturally arise: How do I choose the right illustrator? What happens after the sketches? What files will I need? How long does it takes and how much will it cost? How do I know the artwork is ready for print?
That's why working with Pufli means more than hiring an illustrator. From the beginning of your project until the final files are ready for publishing, you'll have the support of a creative partner, often for a similar investment to hiring an independent freelance illustrator.
Our role is to make the illustration process fun, clear, and collaborative, and not something you have to figure out on your own.
An illustrator chosen for your story
Finding an illustrator can feel overwhelming. Instead of sorting through endless options in the internet, and rolling the dice with an artist that might not be responsible or professional, we help narrow the search to a carefully curated selection of artists whose style, strengths, and experience will genuinely fit your project.
Our roster presents seasoned artists with mature and distinctive illustration styles who are also great human beings. Whether you already know exactly which illustrator you'd like to work with or would appreciate our guidance, we'll explain why we believe a particular artist is a strong match for your story.
Guidance from a Creative Director
Besides the illustrator you choose, your Creative Director will oversee the project step-by-step, helping ensure that every illustration supports the story you're trying to tell. Characters evolve, layouts change, and visual pacing affects how the story is experienced. Sometimes small adjustments early in the process prevent much larger problems later.
We enable easy communication, provide structured milestones, and make sure the project keeps moving smoothly.
Deliverables ready for publishing
From the very beginning you will have a clear understanding of the deliverables, key milestones, timeline and budget. We will share with you a Scope of Work (SOW) that outlines every major aspect of your project, so you are confident we will meet your expectations. No surprises.
When your project is complete, you'll receive PDF production files prepared for today's publishing platforms, including Amazon KDP and IngramSpark, with page dimensions, bleed, trim size, resolution, and file preparation already taken into account.
Clear communication and transparent agreements
We know what your story means to you. That's why we work under a favorable work-for-hire agreement for self-publishing authors. Upon project completion, you will have 100% of the intellectual property (IP) rights for your book. Copyright and project terms are clearly documented before work begins.
Human-created artwork
We believe in thoughtful visual storytelling and artwork created with care. Every illustration delivered through Pufli is created by a professional human artist. No AI-generated artwork.
We believe originality, craftsmanship, and artistic voice matter even more today as the publishing landscape becomes increasingly saturated with generic visual content.
Summary: What you'll receive
Every project is unique, but depending on your book, your deliverables may include:
A dedicated professional illustrator selected by you
End-to-end guidance from a Creative Director
Character development and concept sketches
Storyboard and book layout planning
Original full-color illustrations
Front and back cover design
Structured milestones throughout the project
Print-ready files for publishing
Formatting for Amazon KDP and IngramSpark
Clear copyright and agreements
Ready to bring your story to life?
