How to Publish a Coloring Book

Unleashing Your Inner Artist: The Complete Process of How to Publish a Coloring Book on Amazon, IngramSpark, and More

Publishing a coloring book is an exciting venture, especially with today’s accessible self-publishing platforms. If you’re wondering how to publish a coloring book, the good news is—it’s easier than ever. Whether you’re an aspiring author or an artist, this guide will walk you through the full process, from concept to publication, with a focus on top platforms like Amazon KDP, BookBaby, IngramSpark, and others.

In short, to publish a coloring book, you’ll need to conceptualize your theme, create or source high-quality illustrations, format your files according to platform standards, choose a publishing marketplace, and launch with a marketing strategy. And yes, all this can be done even if you’re just getting started.

Let’s begin with understanding your audience and the market you’re stepping into.

Understanding the Coloring Book Market in the USA

The U.S. coloring book market has seen explosive growth, not just among kids but also with adults seeking relaxation and creativity. Knowing your market is key to making the right publishing decisions.

Why Coloring Books Are So Popular

Coloring books are no longer just a children’s pastime. Adult coloring books focusing on mindfulness, stress relief, and even professional skill-building (like fashion design or architecture) have created a massive new market segment. According to market research, adult coloring books exploded in popularity around 2015 and have remained a steady niche ever since.

Adults love the tactile nature of coloring and the escape it provides from screens. Kids, of course, use them for fun and education. The dual audience potential is one of the reasons many authors explore this genre.

Trends and Niches in the U.S. Market

Some of the hottest niches for U.S. authors include:

Mandala and geometric patterns
Mindfulness and therapy-themed books
Educational activity books for preschool and elementary kids
Seasonal and holiday-themed coloring books
Pop culture or parody-style books (be cautious with copyright)

Staying up to date with current trends by browsing Amazon’s “Best Sellers in Coloring Books” is a smart way to stay competitive.

Defining Your Coloring Book Concept

Before jumping into illustration or formatting, clarity around your book’s concept is crucial. Without a strong idea, your book could get lost among the thousands available online.

Target Audience Selection (Kids vs Adults)

Start by identifying who you’re creating this for. A coloring book for a 5-year-old should look and feel drastically different from one meant for a stressed-out office worker.

Kids: Bright, bold illustrations, often educational, simple line work.
Adults: Complex patterns, themes like mandalas, zen art, swear words (yes, they sell!), or stress-relieving illustrations.

Choosing your target audience upfront will influence your design choices, marketing, and even your pricing strategy.

Choosing a Niche That Sells

Let’s face it—“general” doesn’t sell. You need a niche.

Consider:

Educational coloring books for parents and teachers
Therapeutic coloring books for mental wellness
Sassy, humorous books for adults
Custom names or letter books for kids (e.g., “A is for Ava”)
Hobby-related books, like fishing, gardening, or astrology-themed coloring books

The more specific you get, the better your chances of ranking high in search results and connecting with a buyer who says, “This is exactly what I was looking for.”

Planning the Content and Design

Once you’ve chosen a niche and target audience, it’s time to plan what your coloring book will look like. This is your product blueprint.

Deciding on Page Count, Size, and Layout

Most coloring books range from 25 to 100 pages. For beginners, 40-50 pages is a solid, manageable starting point.

Here’s a cheat sheet:

Standard size: 8.5” x 11” (common for Amazon KDP)
Paper type: White or cream (use white for better contrast)
Binding: Paperback is standard; spiral binding isn’t supported on Amazon KDP

Your layout should be single-sided if you expect users to use markers (to avoid bleed-through), and consider adding blank pages between illustrations for extra protection.

Tools and Software to Use for Designing

You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create a quality coloring book, but the right tools will make your job easier.

Some top tools:

Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop: Ideal for vector art and professional layouts
Canva: User-friendly and affordable for simple designs
Affinity Designer: Great alternative to Adobe with a one-time payment
Book Bolt: Tailored for Amazon KDP book creation

Save your files in high-resolution (300 DPI) and always preview before uploading to ensure quality.

Creating High-Quality Illustrations

Your illustrations are the soul of your coloring book. Whether you’re drawing them yourself or outsourcing, quality and originality are non-negotiable.

Hiring an Illustrator vs DIY Design

If you have artistic skills, DIY is the cheapest route. But hiring a pro ensures polished, print-ready results.

Outsourcing Options:

Fiverr and Upwork: Great for budget-conscious authors
99designs or DesignCrowd: Better for premium results
Direct hire from Behance or Instagram: Ideal if you want a consistent art style

Always clarify licensing—make sure you have full commercial rights to the artwork!

Best Practices for Print-Ready Artwork

Use bold, clean black lines
Avoid shading or gradients
Ensure consistent style across pages
Check file resolution (300 DPI minimum)
Save in grayscale PDF format for best print compatibility

The goal? When your customer opens the book, they should say, “Wow, this is exactly what I needed.”

Formatting for Self-Publishing Platforms

Getting your coloring book files formatted correctly is one of the most critical steps before uploading to publishing platforms. Each marketplace, whether Amazon KDP or IngramSpark, has its own technical requirements. Formatting mistakes can lead to rejected files or poor-quality prints.

PDF Requirements for Amazon KDP and Others

Most self-publishing platforms require your interior file to be submitted in PDF format, and your file must meet specific dimensions based on your selected book size. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Amazon KDP: Requires a PDF (Print-Ready) file with embedded fonts. You must select whether your book is with bleed or no bleed. Amazon provides free downloadable templates to help you place your content accurately.
BookBaby and IngramSpark: Also use PDF files but are stricter about margins and bleed areas.
Blurb: Offers its own BookWright software to assist in formatting, or you can upload a PDF.

Pro tip: Always test your file using the KDP Previewer or similar tools offered by other platforms. It shows exactly how your book will look when printed.

Bleed Settings, Margins, and DPI Considerations

Understanding bleed and margins is essential:

Bleed is when illustrations or lines go to the edge of the page. You’ll need to add 0.125″ on each side.
Margins are safety zones. Keep all vital content like text or key image details at least 0.25″ away from the edge.

DPI (Dots Per Inch) is another big one:

Use 300 DPI minimum for crisp lines.
Avoid using web images or clipart as they are usually only 72 DPI.

These details can make or break the professional feel of your coloring book.

Choosing the Right Publishing Platform

With your book formatted and illustrations in place, it’s time to pick a publishing platform. Not all platforms are created equal—some are ideal for reach, others for profit margins or print quality.

Overview of Amazon KDP

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the most popular and user-friendly option for publishing coloring books in the U.S. Here’s why it’s a favorite:

Free to use
No upfront cost (print-on-demand)
Wide distribution through Amazon.com
Author royalties up to 60% of list price (minus printing cost)

The upload process is relatively simple:

Set up an account on kdp.amazon.com.
Enter book details (title, subtitle, author, description, keywords).
Upload your formatted PDF and cover.
Set your pricing and distribution.
Publish!

Note: Amazon doesn’t currently support spiral binding or hardcover coloring books, which might be limiting for some creators.

BookBaby, B&N Press, and Other Top Competitors

If you’re looking for alternatives or want broader distribution, here are excellent options:

BookBaby: Offers high-quality print options and wide distribution, but it’s not free—you pay for their printing services.
B&N Press (Barnes & Noble Press): Great for reaching the B&N online marketplace. Easy to use but with a smaller customer base than Amazon.
IngramSpark: Perfect for authors seeking library and bookstore distribution. Charges a setup fee but offers global reach.
Blurb: Known for premium print quality and customization options. Great for coffee-table-style coloring books.
AuthorHouse, PublishDrive, Draft2Digital, StreetLib, Kobo Writing Life: These are useful for broader eBook and POD distribution, although not all are ideal for coloring books due to limited print customization.

Choosing more than one platform can maximize your reach. Many authors use Amazon KDP as the main source and IngramSpark for expanded reach.

Setting Up Your Account and Book Details

Now that you’ve chosen your publishing platforms, it’s time to properly set up your account and optimize your book listing for discovery and sales.

ISBN, Author Profile, Title, and Description

Every book needs a unique identifier—this is where the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) comes in.

Amazon KDP: Offers a free KDP ISBN, but it cannot be used outside Amazon.
IngramSpark and BookBaby: Require you to purchase your own ISBN or use theirs, allowing broader distribution.

Your author profile is another key asset. Create a compelling Amazon Author Central page with your bio, photo, and links to all your books.

Next, nail your title and description:

Include your main keyword (“how to publish a coloring book”) naturally.
Keep titles clear and searchable. Avoid stuffing them with keywords.
Use the description area to outline what makes your book unique, who it’s for, and what benefits it offers.

Use formatting like bullet points and short paragraphs to make your listing scannable.

Pricing Strategy for Profit and Visibility

Pricing can be tricky. Set it too high, and you may lose buyers. Too low, and your profit shrinks.

Typical price ranges:

Children’s coloring books: $5.99 – $9.99
Adult or niche books: $7.99 – $14.99

On Amazon KDP, the printing cost is deducted from your list price, and you receive 60% of the remainder.

Example:

Book Price: $9.99
Printing Cost: $2.15
Royalty: (60% of $9.99 = $5.99) – $2.15 = $3.84 profit

Test your pricing, watch your competitors, and don’t be afraid to tweak.

Uploading and Publishing Your Coloring Book

This is where the magic happens! With your files and strategy ready, it’s time to publish.

Step-by-Step on Amazon KDP

Log in to your KDP account.
Click “Create Paperback”.
Fill in book details:
- Title, subtitle, author, description
- Choose categories (like “Juvenile Nonfiction / Activity Books”)
- Add 7 keyword phrases (e.g., “mindfulness coloring book for adults”)
Upload content:
- Upload your interior PDF and cover file (or use the cover creator).
- Choose bleed/no bleed and paper type.
Set pricing and territories.
Submit for review—Amazon takes 24–72 hours to approve.

Once approved, your book goes live on Amazon.com and other regional stores.

Publishing Across Other Platforms (Blurb, IngramSpark)

Each platform has a similar process:

Create an account.
Upload your book files (they often include a cover wizard).
Enter metadata (title, author, ISBN, etc.).
Set your pricing and choose distribution channels.
Review and publish.

Some platforms like Blurb allow you to create photo-realistic previews, while IngramSpark provides bookstore-quality offset printing.

Marketing Your Coloring Book

Publishing is only half the battle. You now need eyeballs on your book—and sales.

Social Media Promotion and Giveaways

Create a social media presence around your niche. If your book is about animals, gardens, or inspirational quotes, there’s an audience out there.

Use platforms like:

Instagram (great for sharing your artwork)
Pinterest (popular for moms and teachers)
Facebook Groups (for coloring book fans or homeschoolers)

Also, consider running giveaways:

Use platforms like Rafflecopter or KingSumo
Offer free pages as printable samples
Collect emails to start a mailing list

Engaging content builds trust and drives sales.

Amazon SEO, Reviews, and Sponsored Ads

To get found on Amazon, use smart keywords:

Place your main keyword in the title or subtitle.
Use all 7 backend keyword fields wisely.
Don’t repeat phrases or use punctuation—just plain keywords.

Also:

Ask for reviews from early buyers. Never pay for reviews—it’s against Amazon’s rules.
Run Amazon Ads—even $5/day can give you visibility in the early stages.

The goal is to get enough traction in the first 30 days to influence the algorithm.

Tracking Performance and Getting Reviews

Once your coloring book is live, the next step is monitoring its performance and boosting credibility through reviews. This is essential for long-term sales.

Monitoring Sales and Adjusting Strategy

Most platforms, like Amazon KDP, offer a dashboard where you can:

Track daily and monthly sales
View royalty earnings
Identify best-performing regions

Use this data to adjust your strategy:

Try changing your cover design if the book isn’t converting.
A/B test titles or keywords.
Adjust pricing temporarily to see how it impacts sales.

You can also use Amazon Author Central to view customer reviews, track rankings, and gain valuable insights.

Encouraging Reviews the Ethical Way

Book reviews are a major trust signal for shoppers. But be careful—Amazon has strict rules against incentivized reviews.

Here’s how to get honest feedback:

Include a review request page at the end of your coloring book.
Offer free printable pages in exchange for joining your email list, then request reviews in your welcome emails.
Engage reviewers in Facebook groups by sharing your book and asking for feedback.

Avoid fake reviews or bots—it’s not worth the risk. Authentic, honest reviews sell more books in the long run.

Monetizing Beyond Book Sales

Selling your coloring book is just the beginning. You can create multiple revenue streams from the same content.

Creating Digital Versions or Printables

A growing market exists for printable coloring pages, especially on platforms like Etsy and Teachers Pay Teachers. Here’s how to take advantage:

Convert your coloring pages into PDF downloads
List them as printables with usage licenses
Offer them in bundles, e.g., “25 Mandala Pages for Relaxation”

This approach eliminates printing costs entirely and gives you passive income opportunities.

Subscription Models and Patreon

Want recurring income? Launch a Patreon or BuyMeACoffee account where fans subscribe to receive monthly coloring pages.

Ideas include:

Monthly exclusive coloring page packs
Behind-the-scenes art creation videos
Community coloring contests

You can even include perks like early access to new books or one-on-one art feedback sessions. With enough fans, this model can generate consistent monthly income.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even seasoned authors slip up when publishing coloring books. Avoid these pitfalls to ensure a smoother publishing journey.

Design Errors

Too thin lines: These often disappear during printing.
Crowded pages: Make sure there’s enough whitespace.
Too many grayscale elements: Stick to black outlines for coloring clarity.
Poor DPI: Always use 300 DPI for high resolution.

Test print your book at home before uploading. What looks good on screen might not look great on paper.

Platform Compliance Issues

Every platform has specific file rules. Ignoring them can result in delays or rejection:

Forgetting bleed on KDP
Using trademarked images or characters
Incorrect page sizes or file formats

Also, never use images or fonts you don’t have commercial rights to. Royalty-free is not always free to use for print products—always double-check the license.

Legal and Copyright Considerations

Copyright laws are often overlooked, especially by first-time authors. But if you want to publish safely, you need to understand your rights.

Licensing Artwork

If you’re using stock illustrations or hiring freelancers, make sure you secure:

Exclusive, commercial-use licenses
Written contracts for custom illustrations

Always clarify that your use is for “commercial reproduction and print publication.” Websites like Vecteezy, Shutterstock, and Creative Market offer commercial licenses, but check for restrictions on products for resale.

Trademark and Content Ownership

Avoid using:

Brand names
TV or movie characters
Celebrity likenesses

Publishing coloring books based on trademarked properties without permission can result in legal takedowns and bans from platforms like Amazon.

Also, register your work with the U.S. Copyright Office for extra protection. It’s optional but helps in legal disputes.

Scaling Your Coloring Book Business

Once your first book is out and making sales, it’s time to scale up and build a coloring book brand, not just a one-off product.

Outsourcing, Branding, and Series Building

As you grow:

Hire illustrators to speed up production.
Develop a consistent brand look, logo, and book design.
Launch a series (e.g., “Mindful Mandalas Vol 1, 2, 3”)

Series books can build customer loyalty and increase repeat purchases.

Use tools like:

Book Bolt for niche research
Trello or Notion to manage your publishing pipeline

Also, consider building a team—hire a virtual assistant to help with uploading, metadata, and marketing.

International Expansion and Translations

If your book is text-light (as most coloring books are), translating your Amazon listings into other languages like Spanish, French, or German can open up new markets.

Use Amazon’s Translate Your Book feature or hire translators on Fiverr or Upwork.
Join platforms like Kobo Writing Life to publish in Canada, Europe, and Asia.

It’s a global market—tap into it strategically.

Final Thoughts and Long-Term Success

Publishing a coloring book isn’t just a creative endeavor—it can be a profitable business if approached strategically. From choosing your niche and designing engaging content to formatting for platforms like Amazon KDP, BookBaby, or IngramSpark, each step builds toward a successful launch.

If you’re serious about building a long-term income stream, treat your coloring book like a product, not a one-off project. Keep learning, keep improving, and most importantly—keep creating.

Happy publishing!

FAQs

1. Can I publish a coloring book on Amazon KDP for free?

Yes! Amazon KDP is completely free to use. You only pay for printing when a customer purchases your book. There are no upfront fees to publish.

2. Do I need an ISBN to publish a coloring book?

You don’t need to buy your own ISBN if you’re publishing exclusively on Amazon KDP—they provide one for free. But for platforms like IngramSpark, owning your ISBN is recommended for broader distribution.

3. Can I sell the same coloring book on multiple platforms?

Absolutely. As long as you own the rights to the content, you can publish the same book on Amazon KDP, BookBaby, IngramSpark, Blurb, and others. Just be sure to format it according to each platform’s guidelines.

4. How many pages should my coloring book have?

A good coloring book typically has between 25 to 100 pages. For beginners, 40–50 is a sweet spot—it’s affordable to print and easy to fill with quality content.

5. What software is best for designing a coloring book?

Professional tools like Adobe Illustrator and Affinity Designer are best for clean vector artwork. Canva and Book Bolt are great for beginners. Make sure all artwork is in 300 DPI and print-ready format.