How to Review and Approve Book Illustrations: A Complete Quality Control Guide

I'll never forget the moment I realized I had no idea how to review illustrations.

I was sitting at my computer, staring at the first batch of artwork from my illustrator. The images were beautiful—technically perfect, artistically stunning. But something felt off. I couldn't put my finger on it.

So I sent back a vague email: "These look great, but can you make them more... better?"

My illustrator was confused. I was frustrated. The project stalled for weeks.

Here's what I learned the hard way: reviewing illustrations isn't about having good taste. It's about having a systematic approach to quality control that ensures your book looks professional while maintaining a positive relationship with your illustrator.

The Review Mindset: You're Not a Critic, You're a Collaborator

Here's the first thing you need to understand: you're not reviewing illustrations to find fault. You're reviewing them to ensure they serve your story and your readers.

Think of it like this: you're the director of a movie, and your illustrator is the cinematographer. You're not telling them how to do their job—you're making sure their work supports your vision.

The Three-Question Framework

Before you even look at the illustrations, ask yourself these three questions:

1. Does this illustration serve the story? Does it enhance the text, clarify meaning, or add emotional depth?

2. Does this illustration serve the reader? Will it help children understand, engage with, or enjoy the story?

3. Does this illustration serve the book? Does it fit the overall style, tone, and quality level of the entire project?

If you can answer "yes" to all three, you're probably looking at a good illustration. If not, you need to figure out what's missing.

The Technical Review: Making Sure Your Files Are Print-Ready

Here's something that will save you thousands of dollars: technical problems are expensive to fix after printing.

File Format Requirements

For Print Books:

• Resolution: 300 DPI minimum (dots per inch) - Adobe's print guidelines recommend this for professional quality
• Color Mode: CMYK (not RGB) - Pantone's color systems explain why CMYK is essential for print
• File Format: TIFF or high-quality PDF
• Bleed: 0.125 inches on all sides
• Safe Zone: Keep important elements 0.25 inches from edges

For Digital Books:

• Resolution: 72 DPI for web, 150 DPI for e-readers - Web.dev's image optimization guide provides detailed recommendations
• Color Mode: RGB
• File Format: PNG or JPEG
• File Size: Under 2MB per image for web

The Resolution Reality Check

Here's a quick way to check if your illustrations are high enough quality:

For a 32-page children's book (8.5" x 11"):

• Each full-page illustration should be at least 2550 x 3300 pixels
• That's about 8.5 megapixels per image
• Total file size should be 15-25MB per illustration

If your illustrator is sending you files smaller than this, they're not print-ready.

Color Accuracy

This is where things get tricky. Colors look different on screen than they do in print. The International Color Consortium has established standards for color management across different devices.

The Test: Print a sample page on your home printer. If the colors look significantly different from what you see on screen, you need to address this with your illustrator.

The Solution: Ask your illustrator to provide both RGB (screen) and CMYK (print) versions of each illustration. Professional color management tools can help ensure consistency across different outputs.

The Creative Review: Making Sure Your Story Shines

This is where most people get stuck. How do you know if an illustration is "good enough"? Understanding why illustrations matter in children's books is crucial for making these decisions.

Character Consistency Checklist

Your characters should look the same throughout the book. Here's what to check:

• Physical Features: Same hair color, eye color, body type, clothing style
• Facial Expressions: Consistent emotional range and personality
• Proportions: Same head-to-body ratio, same relative sizes
• Style: Same artistic treatment, same level of detail

The Test: Lay out all character illustrations side by side. Can you immediately tell it's the same character? If not, you have a consistency problem.

Storytelling Effectiveness

Every illustration should advance the story. Here's how to evaluate this:

Does the illustration:

• Show what's happening in the text?
• Add information not mentioned in the text?
• Create emotional impact that matches the story's tone?
• Help readers understand the sequence of events?

The Test: Cover the text and look at the illustration. Can you tell what's happening? Does it make you want to read the text to learn more?

Style Consistency

Your book should have a cohesive visual style. Here's what to check:

• Color Palette: Consistent use of colors throughout - Learn more about color psychology in children's books
• Artistic Technique: Same medium, same level of detail
• Composition: Similar approaches to layout and framing
• Mood: Consistent emotional tone and atmosphere

The Test: Flip through the book quickly. Do all the illustrations feel like they belong together?

The Feedback Process: How to Give Effective, Actionable Feedback

Here's the secret to getting the revisions you want: be specific, be constructive, and be respectful.

The Feedback Formula

What I Like: Start with something positive What Needs to Change: Be specific about what's not working Why It Matters: Explain the impact on the story or reader How to Fix It: Provide clear direction for improvement

Example of Bad Feedback: "I don't like this illustration."

Example of Good Feedback: "I love the warm colors and the character's expression. However, the background feels too busy and distracts from the main action. Since this is a key emotional moment in the story, we need the reader's focus to be on the character's face. Could you simplify the background to just the essential elements?"

The Revision Request Template

Here's a template I use for requesting revisions:

Subject: Revision Request - [Page Number/Description]

Hi [Illustrator Name],

Thank you for the beautiful work on [specific illustration]. I really appreciate the [specific positive element].

I have one revision request:

**Current Issue**: [Describe the problem]
**Impact**: [Explain why this matters for the story/reader]
**Requested Change**: [Be specific about what you want]
**Reference**: [If applicable, mention a page that does this well]

Please let me know if you need any clarification. I'm excited to see the updated version!

Best regards,
[Your Name]

When to Push Back (And When Not To)

Push Back When:

• The illustration doesn't match your agreed-upon style
• Characters look inconsistent with previous illustrations
• Technical quality is below professional standards
• The illustration doesn't serve the story

Don't Push Back When:

• You just prefer a different artistic choice (unless it's a major element)
• The illustration is technically sound but not exactly what you imagined
• You're making changes that weren't in the original brief

Revision Management: Setting Expectations and Limits

Here's the reality: revisions cost money and time. You need to manage them carefully. This is why budgeting for book illustrations should include revision costs from the start.

The Revision Reality Check

Typical Revision Allowance:

• Simple Revisions: 2-3 rounds included in base price
• Complex Revisions: 1-2 rounds included, additional rounds cost extra
• Major Changes: Usually require additional payment

What Counts as a Simple Revision:

• Color adjustments
• Minor character tweaks
• Background simplification
• Text placement adjustments

What Counts as a Complex Revision:

• Character redesign
• Complete scene changes
• Style changes
• Multiple character additions

The Revision Timeline

Standard Timeline:

• Simple Revisions: 3-5 business days
• Complex Revisions: 1-2 weeks
• Major Changes: 2-4 weeks

The Rule: The more specific your feedback, the faster the revision.

When to Stop Revising

Here's a question I ask myself: "Is this revision making the book significantly better, or am I just being picky?"

Stop When:

• The illustration serves the story effectively
• The quality meets professional standards
• The style is consistent with the rest of the book
• Further changes would be minor improvements, not major enhancements

Continue When:

• The illustration doesn't match the agreed-upon style
• There are technical quality issues
• The illustration doesn't serve the story
• Character consistency is compromised

The Final Approval Checklist

Before you give final approval, run through this checklist:

Technical Quality

• Resolution is 300 DPI or higher
• Color mode is correct (CMYK for print, RGB for digital)
• File format is appropriate
• Bleed and safe zones are correct
• File sizes are manageable

Creative Quality

• Characters are consistent throughout
• Style is cohesive across all illustrations
• Each illustration serves the story
• Color palette is consistent
• Emotional tone matches the text

Storytelling Effectiveness

• Illustrations enhance the text
• Key moments are visually emphasized
• Character emotions are clear
• Story sequence is easy to follow
• Readers can understand the action

Professional Standards

• Quality matches industry standards
• Illustrations look professional
• No obvious technical errors
• Style is appropriate for target audience
• Book looks ready for publication

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are the mistakes I've made (and seen others make) that you should avoid:

Mistake #1: Vague Feedback

The Problem: "I don't like it" or "Make it better" The Solution: Be specific about what's not working and why

Mistake #2: Too Many Revisions

The Problem: Endless tweaking that drives up costs and delays the project The Solution: Set clear limits and know when to stop

Mistake #3: Ignoring Technical Requirements

The Problem: Approving illustrations that won't print properly The Solution: Check technical specifications before approval

Mistake #4: Inconsistent Feedback

The Problem: Changing your mind about style or approach mid-project The Solution: Stick to your original brief and style guide

Mistake #5: Rushing the Process

The Problem: Approving illustrations without thorough review The Solution: Take time to review carefully and get feedback from others

Tools and Resources for Managing Reviews

Here are some tools that make the review process easier:

File Management

• Google Drive or Dropbox: For sharing large files
• Adobe Acrobat: For reviewing PDFs with comments - Adobe's collaboration tools make feedback easier
• Figma or Canva: For creating feedback mockups

Communication

• Slack or Discord: For quick communication
• Zoom or Google Meet: For video calls to discuss complex changes
• Email templates: For consistent feedback format

Quality Control

• Color calibration tools: For accurate color review - Professional color management solutions are industry standard
• Print preview software: For checking how illustrations will look in print
• Feedback tracking spreadsheet: For managing multiple revision requests - Asana's project management tools can help organize feedback

The Approval Process: Making It Official

When you're ready to approve, make it official:

The Approval Email Template

Subject: Final Approval - [Project Name]

Hi [Illustrator Name],

I'm happy to give final approval for all illustrations in [Project Name].

All illustrations meet our agreed-upon quality standards and technical requirements. The style is consistent, characters are well-developed, and each illustration effectively serves the story.

Thank you for your excellent work and patience throughout the revision process. I'm excited to see the final book come together!

Please proceed with delivering the final files in the following formats:
- Print-ready TIFF files (300 DPI, CMYK)
- Web-ready PNG files (72 DPI, RGB)
- Character style guide
- Color palette reference

Best regards,
[Your Name]

The Final File Checklist

Before you approve, make sure you have:

• All illustrations in print-ready format
• All illustrations in web-ready format
• Character style guide
• Color palette reference
• Usage rights documentation
• Invoice for final payment

The Bottom Line: Quality Control Pays Off

Here's what I've learned after reviewing hundreds of illustrations: the time you spend on quality control now saves you money, time, and frustration later.

A well-reviewed illustration process ensures:

• Professional Quality: Your book looks like it belongs in a bookstore
• Reader Engagement: Children will want to read your story again and again
• Author Satisfaction: You'll be proud to share your book
• Illustrator Relationships: Your illustrator will want to work with you again - Learn more about working effectively with illustrators
• Cost Efficiency: Fewer expensive fixes after printing

Remember: you're not just reviewing illustrations. You're ensuring that your story gets the visual treatment it deserves. You're making sure that children will fall in love with your characters and your world. You're creating something that families will treasure for years to come.

That's worth taking the time to get right.

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Ready to start your illustration project? Learn how to work effectively with illustrators and budget for professional results. For more insights on creating compelling children's books, check out our children's book writing tips and cover design importance.