How to Self Publish a Coloring Book in 2025 (Quick & Easy Way)

As a publisher, your first big goal is getting something out there that people actually want to hold in their hands. That feeling when you see your own coloring book on a shelf or better yet, in someone’s hands is unmatched. At Mayfair Book Publishers, we’ve seen how a simple idea can turn into a book that earns money and builds your personal brand. Maybe you’re an artist, a writer, or just someone who’s been planning to create a physical product for a while. This guide is for you. We’re going to walk through the real steps to self publish your coloring book.

1. Start with High-Quality Artwork That Matches Your Vision

No coloring book is complete without strong artwork. The drawings are the heart of the book, and your readers will notice if they’re blurry, messy, or inconsistent. If you’re confident with drawing, go ahead and make your own colouring book. If you’re not drawing it yourself, you can either hire an artist, use AI-generated art, or buy stock illustrations.

AI art is cheaper and faster, but it’s a mixed bag. You’ll likely need to clean up the images, and there are still questions around commercial rights.

The key is consistency. Your book should have a style that flows from page to page. Keep everything at 300 DPI resolution and always confirm you have legal rights to every image.

2. Preparing the Book for Print: Layout, Design, and Details

Once your pages are ready, it’s time to put the book together. Decide on the size of your coloring book. An 8.5" x 11" page is the most popular, but you can go smaller if you want something more compact.

You can use software like Canva, Adobe InDesign, or even Microsoft Word to arrange your pages. Save your final version as a high-resolution PDF. The images should be centered and sized properly, with plenty of white space around the edges.

Book Cover

Then comes the cover. This is the first thing buyers see. A kid’s coloring book needs bright colors and fun fonts. If you’re publishing a coloring book for adults, it should look clean, artistic, or relaxing. The title should be easy to read, and the design should reflect your theme.

ISBN

And don’t forget about your ISBN and barcode. If you’re only selling on Amazon, you can use their free ISBN. But if you want to list your book in stores or libraries, it’s smart to buy your own.

3. Choose the Right Platform to Publish On

There are several ways to get your coloring book published. Amazon KDP is the easiest if you’re just starting out. It’s free to upload your files, they print the book for you, and your listing goes live quickly. It’s great for reaching buyers across the U.S. and even worldwide.

If you want better bookstore distribution, try IngramSpark. It’s ideal if you’re looking to get your book in libraries or stores. Barnes & Noble Press is growing and worth checking if you want extra exposure.

4. Know Your Audience and Pick a Niche That Sells

You can’t sell to everyone, so be clear about who your coloring book is for. If it’s for kids, use big simple shapes, letters, numbers, or themes like animals and vehicles. Parents love books that mix fun with learning. These books are usually shorter and cheaper.

Adults want something more detailed. Books focused on relaxation or mindfulness are always popular. You can also lean into niche themes like coloring books for nurses, spiritual themes, or science fans.

When your book has a clear theme, it becomes easier to find in search results, and easier to market.

5. Price It Right Without Losing Money

Setting the right price is part art, part math. Look at how many pages your book has, what size it is, and what it costs to print. Amazon takes a cut, so factor that in. As of now, pricing over $9.99 on Amazon gives you a better royalty rate, so that’s a good target.

Kids’ books usually sell between $6.99 to $9.99. Always compare your pricing with other books in your niche.

It’s okay to test different price points until you find what works.

6. Pick the Best Printing and Fulfillment Method

Print-on-demand is the easiest way to go if you don’t want to manage physical inventory. Every time someone orders your book, the platform prints and ships it automatically. No boxes in your garage, no trips to the post office.

7. Handle Legal Stuff Early So It Doesn’t Hurt Later

You need to make sure you have full rights to everything inside your book. If you’re using your own drawings, you’re good. But if you hired someone else, make sure you have a written agreement that says you can use and sell the work.

8. Market Your Book So People Can Find It

The biggest mistake new publishers make is thinking the book will sell itself. It won’t. You need to tell people about it. Start with Amazon SEO. Use keywords that people are already searching for. Include those in your title, subtitle, and description.

Share your artwork on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. Show behind-the-scenes pages or time-lapse videos of coloring. Join online groups related to coloring and post your work there. Offer a few sample pages for free to build interest.

Marketing takes time, but it builds momentum. You’ll learn what works, and each book gets easier to sell than the last.

Final Thoughts

To publish your own coloring book, you need to start with good artwork, format your book carefully, pick the right platform, and price it wisely. Choose a theme that connects with your audience, and use social media and SEO to reach them. Don’t overthink it. Keep it clear, and focus on quality. The rest will follow.