How To Make Money Selling Coloring Books Online

When I first started sharing simple drawings online, I never imagined they could turn into a real source of income. What began as a creative habit slowly grew into something bigger — coloring books that people actually wanted to download, print, and enjoy.

How to Make Money Selling Coloring Books Online is a realistic way to turn your artwork into a sustainable creative business. Coloring books are no longer just for kids — they’re now used by teens, adults, parents, and even educators as a relaxing and creative activity.

If you enjoy drawing and want to transform your art into something that earns over time, selling coloring books online can be a smart next step. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to create, publish, and sell your own coloring books — based on what actually works.

1. Choose a Profitable Niche

Before you start creating, decide on a niche that appeals to a specific audience. Some profitable niches include:

Kids’ coloring books – Simple, fun drawings with bold lines.
Adult coloring books – Intricate mandalas, nature, or stress-relief patterns.
Educational coloring books – Alphabet, numbers, or science-themed illustrations.
Seasonal & Holiday-themed books – Christmas, Halloween, and Easter designs.
Inspirational & Motivational books – Positive quotes with artistic backgrounds.

My Advice: Don’t try to do everything at once. I wasted two weeks trying to make a ‘General Coloring Book’ with cars, flowers, and dinosaurs. It didn’t sell well because it was too messy. Once I focused specifically on ‘Cute Cats for Kids,’ my sales actually started coming in. Pick one theme and stick to it!

2. Create High-Quality Artwork

Your drawings should be clean, engaging, and printable. Consider these tips:

Use black and white line art that is easy to color.
Ensure high-resolution images (300 DPI) for print quality.
Use digital tools like Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or Affinity Designer for professional results.

3. Format Your Coloring Book for Publishing

Once you have your illustrations, format your book correctly:

Standard size: 8.5 x 11 inches (for print-on-demand platforms).
Leave enough margins for printing.
Save as a PDF for digital books or a high-resolution file for print.

4. Where to Sell Your Coloring Books

You can sell both print and digital versions of your coloring books. Here are the best platforms:

Print-on-Demand Platforms:

Amazon KDP – https://kdp.amazon.com/ (Print books on demand and sell worldwide.)
Lulu – https://www.lulu.com/ (Great for custom-sized books.)
IngramSpark – https://www.ingramspark.com/ (Distribute to major bookstores and online retailers.)

Digital Download Marketplaces:

Etsy – https://www.etsy.com/ (Sell digital PDFs for instant download.)
Gumroad – https://www.gumroad.com/ (Offer both digital and print options.)
Your Own Website – Use Shopify (https://www.shopify.com/) or WordPress to sell directly.

5. Price Your Coloring Book Strategically

Pricing depends on your platform and audience:

Print Books: $6.99 – $14.99 (depending on size and complexity).
Digital Books: $3.99 – $9.99 (Etsy and Gumroad users love affordable PDFs).
Bundles: Offer multiple books at a discount to increase sales.

6. Market Your Coloring Book for Maximum Sales

Creating your book is just the first step—now you need to drive traffic and sales:

SEO Optimization – Use keywords like “printable coloring pages,” “adult coloring books,” and “kids activity book” in titles and descriptions.
Social Media Promotion – Share on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook groups.
Email Marketing – Build an email list and send special offers.
YouTube & TikTok – Post time-lapse videos of coloring pages.

7. Use AI to Speed Up Coloring Book Creation

AI tools can help generate unique illustrations or enhance designs:

Midjourney – AI-generated illustrations.
Adobe Firefly – AI-powered design tools.
Canva AI – AI-assisted art creation.

8. Bonus: Monetize Beyond Book Sales

Affiliate Marketing – Promote coloring supplies and earn commissions.
Subscription Services – Offer exclusive monthly coloring pages.
Custom Work – Design personalized coloring pages for clients.
YouTube Channel – Create time-lapse videos of coloring your designs and earn from ads.
Print-on-Demand Merch – Sell your coloring book designs on T-shirts, mugs, and tote bags.

9. Best Tools for Creating Coloring Books

To create high-quality digital coloring books, you’ll need the right hardware. Here are the best options:

Tablets for Drawing:

Apple iPad Pro + Apple Pencil – The best choice for digital artists using Procreate.
Wacom Cintiq – A professional drawing tablet with a built-in screen for precise designs.
XP-Pen Artist Pro – A budget-friendly drawing tablet for beginners.
Huion Kamvas – Great for creating high-resolution line art on a budget.

Laptops for Digital Art:

MacBook Pro – Ideal for running Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, and AI tools smoothly.
Microsoft Surface Pro – A versatile 2-in-1 laptop with pen support.
Dell XPS 15 – Powerful for Adobe Creative Suite and large design files.

These tools help speed up the creation process and ensure your coloring books look professional.

Conclusion

Selling coloring books online is a profitable and fun way to turn your creativity into income. By choosing the right niche, creating high-quality art, and using smart marketing strategies, you can build a successful coloring book business. Start today and watch your passion become a source of income!

🚀 Ready to publish your first coloring book? Start designing now and bring your artwork to life!