Have you ever considered making money by creating and selling coloring books? With the rise of self-publishing and the increasing demand for unique, creative books, selling coloring books on Amazon has become a lucrative opportunity. In fact, the adult coloring book market alone has seen exponential growth, generating millions in revenue globally.
But is it really possible for a beginner to break into this market? The good news is, yes! Thanks to AI tools and self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP, anyone can design and sell their own coloring books without the need for artistic skills or upfront inventory costs. Whether you’re targeting kids, adults, or niche audiences, this guide will show you exactly how to create and sell your own coloring books on Amazon and start generating passive income.
Step 1: Finding a Profitable Niche and Keywords
Before you start creating your coloring book, it’s essential to choose a profitable niche. A niche determines the theme of your book and directly affects its sales potential. Instead of guessing what might sell, use keyword research tools to make data-driven decisions.
Using Keyword Research Tools
To identify the best niche for your coloring book, install browser extensions like AMZ Suggestion Expander and KDP/Amazon BSR & Keyword Research SEO Tool from Self-Publishing Titans. These tools help you:
Discover trending search terms related to coloring books.
Analyze competition levels and find keywords with high demand.
Evaluate keyword scores and aim for those above 50 for better results.
Once installed, refresh your Amazon page and start typing relevant keywords. Look for phrases with high search volume and low competition. Additionally, you can use BookBolt (a paid tool) for in-depth keyword research and further validation.
Step 2: Creating a Coloring Book
Now comes the fun part—designing the pages! Thanks to AI-powered tools like MidJourney, you can generate stunning black-and-white illustrations for your book.
Generating Images with MidJourney
To create your coloring pages:
Open MidJourney and type
/imagine.Enter a detailed prompt. For example, if you’re creating a nature-themed coloring book, you can use:
“Secret garden on a white background, cartoon style, thick lines, no shading”
Set the aspect ratio to 9:11 for a portrait layout.
Generate multiple images and select the best ones for your book.
By fine-tuning your prompts, you can create a variety of images tailored to your niche. Whether it’s mandalas, animals, or fantasy-themed illustrations, the key is to maintain consistency in style.
Step 3: Vectorizing Images for High-Quality Printing
To ensure crisp, professional-quality images, convert your AI-generated images into vector format using Vectorizer.ai (a free tool). Vectorization enhances line sharpness and makes the images print-ready.
Steps to Vectorize Images:
Upload your PNG image to Vectorizer.ai.
Process the image to remove pixelation and refine details.
Download the vectorized version as a high-resolution PNG, ready for use in your book design.
Step 4: Designing the Interior of Your Coloring Book
Once your images are ready, it’s time to structure your book layout. Canva is a user-friendly platform that allows you to design the interior with ease.
Interior Layout Essentials:
First Page: A “This book belongs to” section for personalization.
Coloring Pages: Arrange images thoughtfully, leaving enough margin space.
Blank Pages: Insert a blank page between illustrations to prevent bleed-through when using markers.
By organizing your book well, you enhance the user experience and increase the likelihood of positive reviews.
Step 5: Creating a Captivating Cover
Your book’s cover is the first thing potential buyers will see, so it needs to be eye-catching. Use MidJourney to create an attractive cover image and design the final layout in Canva.
Designing the Cover:
Generate a cover illustration using MidJourney with a relevant prompt (e.g., “Cute animals coloring book cover, bright colors, engaging design”).
Upload the image to Canva and adjust the design to fit Amazon KDP’s cover dimensions.
Add the title, subtitle, and your author name using bold, clear fonts.
Run the final design through Vectorizer.ai to enhance sharpness.
A well-designed cover increases click-through rates, making your book more appealing to shoppers.
Step 6: Publishing on Amazon KDP
Now that your coloring book is complete, it’s time to publish it on Amazon KDP. Follow these steps:
Log in to Amazon KDP and click “Create a new book.”
Enter your book’s title, subtitle, and keywords. Ensure you use the researched keywords strategically.
Choose your book size (8.5” x 11” is a common format for coloring books).
Upload your interior PDF and cover file.
Set your pricing. Research competitors’ prices and choose a competitive yet profitable price point.
Preview your book using the KDP previewer tool to ensure everything looks perfect.
Click Publish and wait for Amazon’s approval.
How Much Can You Earn Selling Coloring Books?
Many self-publishers are earning anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month selling coloring books. For example, Secret Garden: An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book for Adults is selling approximately 153 copies per month at $12.50 per paperback, according to the BSR to Sales Calculator. This translates to an estimated monthly revenue of $1,912.50 before Amazon‘s printing and fees after Amazon’s printing and fees.
Your earnings depend on factors like keyword selection, book quality, and marketing efforts. Some bestsellers in this space are making over $10,000 per month with a well-optimized portfolio of books. The key is consistency—publishing multiple books can significantly increase your income potential over time.
Final Thoughts
Selling coloring books on Amazon KDP is a fantastic way to generate passive income while unleashing your creativity. By choosing the right niche, creating high-quality illustrations, and optimizing your listing, you set yourself up for success. With persistence and smart marketing, your coloring book can become a bestseller in no time!
Now that you have a complete roadmap, it’s time to bring your coloring book idea to life. Start your journey today and watch your self-publishing business grow!
