Startup cost: $50 - $300

The startup costs for designing album covers are very minimal compared to other creative businesses. On average, you can expect to spend $50 – $300, mostly on design software like Photoshop, Illustrator, or subscriptions to Canva Pro and stock image libraries. If you already own a computer and have access to free design tools, your costs can be much lower. Some designers even start out using free programs like GIMP or free trials of professional software before investing further.