How to Make and Sell a Coloring Book from Your Art

how to make and sell coloring books of your art
how to make and sell a coloring book from your art

Have you ever dreamed of creating your own coloring book? It is both fun and satisfying to make and sell a coloring book of your own art!

Last year I self published my own coloring book through Amazon KDP. The book features my own hand drawn mandala art and I absolutely love it!

Today I’m going to explain to you the steps I took to make this book so you too can make a coloring book from your own art!

How to Make and Sell a Coloring Book of Your Own Art

It is actually free (or pretty close it) to create a coloring book from your art using this method!

In order to follow this tutorial, you will need:

  • An Amazon account (it does not have to be Prime).
  • An account on Amazon KDP (which you can set up with the same login information as your Amazon account).
  • Access to image editing software and a scanner to digitize your art.
  • Software like Powerpoint or Google Sheets to build your coloring book interior.

You could also probably use Canva or another software to design the interior if you prefer, but I’m just showing you how I did it. There are many ways to produce the same result, so don’t feel like you can’t do this if you don’t have the exact software.

mandala coloring book interior page

Creating the Artwork for the Coloring Book

First, you’ll need to have some artwork that you want to use for this project. I suggest having at least 30 artworks for a coloring book. Of course, you can have more than that if you want!

Here are some things to keep in mind when creating the artwork for your coloring book.

  • Black and white line-art is best. The amount of detail can range from very simple (aimed toward kids) to extremely complex (for adult coloring enthusiasts).
  • Try to keep the difficulty consistent between drawings. Alternatively, you could start the book with more simple drawings that progressively get more complex.
  • Keep in mind that you will need to digitize your art for the coloring book. If you can create your images digitally from the start, that’s great! If not, you can hand draw your artwork in black pen (Sharpies are good).
  • I suggest scanning your drawings and then cleaning them up on the computer using a design program like Photoshop and/or Illustrator. I have a tutorial on how to do this here: How to Clean up Line art in Photoshop and Illustrator.
  • Save each of your drawings as separate image files, either .jpg or .png is fine.
  • Make sure the image size is large enough to fit on an 8.5″ x 11″ page. You can size down but I don’t recommend sizing up otherwise it can look blurry or pixelated.

If you have and Apple iPad, I have a tutorial on how to make coloring pages using the Procreate app.

Designing the Coloring Book Interior

I created my coloring book in Powerpoint but you could use Google Sheets or another software as long as it can produce the same result.

Create a new document and adjust the slide size to match the size of the book you want to make (ex. 8.5″ x 11″). Here is more information on KDP book sizes.

Note the size will be slightly different if you want to have bleed (the image goes all the way to the edges of the page). You can read more about bleed at the link above. For my book I didn’t use bleed, because it doesn’t fill the whole page.

autumn mandala

Once your document is set up, duplicate a few blank slides and start designing your book!

  • To add a professional touch, include some title pages at the beginning your book. Things like a copyright page, introductory pages on how to use the book, etc.
  • You could also include an author bio with your headshot, or include links to your website and social media handles. It’s your book so you can make it exactly how you want!
  • Once you’ve gotten those first few pages laid out you can start inserting the image files of your artwork, one per page. Add a blank slide in between each artwork page.
  • You want to have a blank page on the back because the coloring materials may bleed through the page.
  • Try to visualize how the book is going to look when it’s physically printed out. Sometimes it can help to actually print it, or use some sheets of paper to mock up a booklet.
  • Once you have every single page of your book added to the file, including blanks, save it as a PDF.
  • Take note of the total number of pages in your book because you will need that information for the next step which is creating your book cover.

Designing the Coloring Book Cover

Now for the fun part, designing a beautiful and eye catching cover for your book!

  • First you’ll need to download the cover template. This is where you’ll select your book’s dimensions and total number of pages and it will give you the correct file size to use for the cover. Link to the KDP cover template generator.
  • You can just use the dimensions, or you can download a template to make your cover in Photoshop or another image editing program. If you don’t have something like that you can also use Book Bolt, which you can read more about here.
  • You can put text on the binding, or not. This is completely up to you.
  • It does need to have a title on the front, not just an image or left blank.
  • The back of the book will automatically have a ISBN barcode added to the bottom left.
  • You can also include some author information on the back, like your name and website URL.
  • Make your cover look nice and appealing, with clear and easily readable text.
  • It’ll be printed in full color even if your interior is black and white, so you can make it stand out with color!

When you’re finished designing your cover, save it as a pdf. So now you should have 2 PDF’s, one for your book interior and one for your cover.

Now we can move on to the upload process.

mandala coloring book julie erin designs

Uploading the Coloring book to Amazon KDP

Now you’re ready to upload your book to Amazon KDP! When logged in, click on Create > Paperback.

(You can add a hard cover version later but it requires a different cover size).

Go through all 3 of the upload pages carefully and fill out as much as you can. Take your time here. Below are some tips and things to keep in mind while you go through this process:

  • Title needs to exactly match what is on the cover of your book
  • The subtitle can be more descriptive.
  • Author: This can be your name, your brand name, or a pseudonym.
  • Add keywords that describe your book in the description and keywords section. Think about what people might search for to find your book (theme, etc.).
  • The previewer will let you know if something is wrong with your file so take note of this. It also takes several minutes to load. But don’t skip this step, it’s always important to proof your file before you hit publish.
  • Try not to get discouraged if you don’t get everything just right the first time. This is not a super easy thing to do. Mistakes are all part of the learning process.
  • For pricing, this is totally up to you. But a lot of people sell their books for under $10 so keep that in mind.

Publishing and Printing Your Coloring Book

The final step to make and sell a coloring book of your art is to hit publish!

…..and then wait for it to be approved. This can take a few days or more. So sit back and give yourself a pat on the back for completing this project. It’s no small feat!

It’s possible that your book won’t be approved the first time through, and that’s okay. Someone will let you know exactly what is wrong via email, and then you can simply revise your file and publish again. This is all part of the process.

After your book is published you will have the option to order Author Copies, which are usually around $2 -3. This varies depending on the size of your book. You could consider buying some to sell at an art fair or give away as gifts.

I also kept one of mine for myself, both for fun and promotional purposes!

how to make and sell a coloring book of your own art

I hope you’ve discovered how fun it can be to make and sell a coloring book of your own art!

If you follow this tutorial and wind up publishing your own coloring book, I’d love to see it! Feel free to leave a link below so I can check it out.

If you are looking for a full step by step video guide, you may like this Skillshare class: How to Self-Publish a Coloring Book.

I hope you have a great rest of your day!

Cheers,

julie signing off

Julie Erin Designs Now Selling on Spoonflower!

julie erin designs now selling on spoonflower
julie erin designs now selling on spoonflower

I’m excited to share that Julie Erin Designs is now selling on Spoonflower!

Spoonflower is a print on demand retailer, similar to Redbubble or Society6, which specializes in fabric with seamless pattern designs. But I was happy to learn they also sell other products like wallpaper and home décor!

I’ve spent the last few months uploading over 100 of my seamless pattern designs to Spoonflower. Then I had to purchase and wait for samples of them which is required to sell in their marketplace.

evil eyes gold spoonflower wallpaper

I’ve been hesitant about opening a shop on Spoonflower because of this barrier to entry.

However, I do have several pattern designs which sell well on other websites, so I figured it was time to take the plunge. There also may be less competition due to the sample requirement.


The cheapest way I found to get samples is to order a “cheater quilt” which includes up to 42 samples stitched together in a 1 yard sized “quilt”. The cost for one of these quilts is $18.50 USD.

I waited for a Free Shipping promotion so didn’t have to pay for shipping to Canada which can be pricey. The cost came out to about 0.44 cents (USD) per design, which I think is worth it considering the potential earnings.

purple rose daisy pattern fabric

The print on demand products offered by Spoonflower look really nice. And then there is the endless possibility of things that can be created with fabric.

A nice perk of Spoonflower are their design challenges which are based on current trends in the industry. Entering these challenges can help increase exposure on both on their website and Instagram.

You can enter designs which haven’t been made “for sale” yet and if you make into the top 50 (voted on by the Spoonflower community) it will be listed for sale for free, without having to purchase a sample.

However, there are a lot of talented artists on there so competition is stiff!


Overall I’m excited to start selling my work on Spoonflower and hope it proves fruitful as another income stream for my art.

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing a few of my designs available on Spoonflower. If you have an account on there, let’s follow each other!

If you want to see a list of other websites I sell my art on, along with more resources about selling your art online then check out the Artist Resources section of my website.


Cheers,

julie signing off

Redbubble Travel Mug Review

redbubble travel mug review
redbubble travel mug review

Are you considering getting a travel mug from Redbubble? Read this review of my new Redbubble travel mug first!

Since my work place is transitioning to having people back in the office a few days a week I wanted to get a travel mug that I could fill up at home to help cut down on the use of common areas.

So I thought, why not get one with my own artwork on it from my Redbubble store!

I chose my Pink and Gold Mandala Pattern design because I love pink and wanted to see how the artwork would turn out on a real life product.

redbubble travel mug review

I must say I’m impressed and pleased with how the design turned out! And I actually really like the mug itself. I’ve received several compliments on it since I started bringing it to work.

Redbubble Travel Mug Review

  • Dishwasher safe (top rack), which is great because I hate doing dishes by hand.
  • No scratching or fading after several washes.
  • Very light when empty, making it easy to throw into a purse or backpack.
  • Colour is vibrant and my artwork looks crisp and true to the original.
  • Nice mouthfeel, the little indent for the bottom lip is nicely engineered for drinking.
  • Good insulation. Keeps my coffee warm for a long time.
redbubble travel mug review

Travel mug features as per Redbubble’s website

  • Features wraparound prints
  • Top rack dishwasher safe
  • Insulated stainless steel with removable lid
  • Mug holds 15oz (443ml)
redbubble travel mug review

Overall, I am very happy with my decision to purchase this travel mug from Redbubble. I recommend to those looking for a nice mug featuring unique designs to stand out from the crowd. These mugs would make a great gift for friends, family, or coworkers who love to drink hot coffee or tea.

Shop my full line of travel mugs on Redbubble

I hope you’ve found this Redbubble travel mug review helpful in deciding whether or not to buy one.

Cheers,

julie signing off

Other product reviews you may be interested in:

Society6 Yoga Mat Review

society6 yoga mat review
society6 yoga mat review

I’ve been getting back into yoga lately with the whole lockdown thing going on, almost practicing every day! I know a lot of other people are too and might be looking into getting a new yoga mat. Especially from Society6 since they have so many cute and unique designs created by artists like myself.

So I bought a yoga mat from Society6 with one of my mandala designs on it and thought I’d share a review of it today for those on the fence about getting one.

society6 yoga mat full length

What I love about my yoga mat from Society6:

  • The artwork is vivid, crisp, and makes me happy to look at (especially since it’s my own art).
  • It has a nice, grippy texture (see close-up below).
  • It’s not too thick but squishy enough to be comfortable while lying down on the ground.
  • It comes with a carrying strap for easy transportation to and from the yoga studio.
  • Very affordable for the quality.
  • The perfect length for yoga practice (70″ long by 24″ wide, 1/2″ thick).
society6 yoga mat close up

Quick note: When I first unrolled the yoga mat it had a strong chemical smell.

I assume a combination of the yoga mat material with the printing process made it smell that way.

To remedy this, my yoga teacher recommended rubbing essential oil on it. After doing that and airing it out overnight the smell did go away. Apparently this is common with a lot of yoga mats.

Beyond this initial unpleasant experience, everything else about the mat has impressed me and I absolutely love using it. Back when I was still going to in person classes, I always received compliments on the mat and people asking me where I got it from.

society6 yoga mat

So if you are on the fence about getting a yoga mat from Society6, I say go for it!

Check out my full line of yoga mats here.

And to go along with your new yoga mat, here’s one of my favourite yoga workout videos from Youtube!

Interested in more reviews of Print on Demand products?

See these posts:


Cheers,

julie signing off

Society6 Leggings Review

society6 leggings review
society6 leggings review

I purchased a pair of leggings from Society6 a little while ago. After wearing them and washing them a few times I thought I’d write up a little review for those of you who are wondering what they’re like!

I have to say I absolutely LOVE these leggings.

elephant tribal pattern leggings navy blue

They’re stretchy, comfortable, and the fabric is soft and silky to the touch.  The thick band around the top is sturdy and helps prevent muffin top, which is always good. I’m wearing a size Small in the image and usually wear small or medium in leggings, depending on the store.

The print, my White and Navy Blue Elephant Pattern, looks GORGEOUS. It actually looks a lot better and brighter in person than the preview images on their website.

See the contrast between the preview photos and the ones of me wearing them?  They look so different! The bright blue colour is actually much closer to my original image.

These leggings are great for working out and doing yoga but also just for lounging around the house and being comfortable.

Here is the product description from Society6’s website:

Nobody will judge you for wearing them all day, every day – they’re that comfy. That’s because these tights are constructed with breathable, antimicrobial polyester spandex that keeps you dry while staying cool.

Society6 Leggings Description

  • Constructed with antimicrobial polyester spandex
  • Breathable, moisture-wicking qualities
  • Six panel cut and sew construction
  • Adjustable waistline
yoga pants elephants

Check out my other leggings designs in my Society6 store!

So if you’re on the fence about picking up some leggings from Society6 I say GO FOR IT!  You won’t regret it.

Have you ever bought leggings from Society6 or another POD website?  Let me know your experience in the comments below!

Cheers,

julie signing off

You may be interested in these other product reviews:

Redbubble A-Line Dress Review

redbubble a-line dress review
redbubble a-line dress review

I finally bought a dress from Redbubble! Since I started uploading my designs there I’ve been curious about how their A-Line dresses would look, fit, and feel. I had a hard time finding any detailed reviews of Redbubble dresses online, so I decided to write my own!

After I published my Tropical Monstera Pattern and saw how nice it looked, I had to order one for myself, figuring it would be perfect to wear for summer or a tropical vacation.

I must say I am pleased with the dress. I ordered an XS after reviewing the size chart, and it fits quite nicely. (I’m 5’0″ by the way and usually wear size S)

It took a few weeks to arrive, because I’m in Canada and it got stuck at the border for about a week (due to Customs).

Aside from a photoshoot at English Bay beach, I’ve also worn this dress to work paired with a belt and black cardigan. I even received some compliments from my co-workers!

tropical monstera pattern redbubble a-line dress review

Redbubble A-Line Dress Review

  • It is loose and flowy, non clingy, silky feeling, and doesn’t wrinkle easily.
  • It is comfortable to wear.
  • The print is vibrant and shows off my artwork nicely.
  • The light and thin fabric is not see through at all.
  • It would be a great garment for hot summer days or a tropical vacation.
photoshoot model a-line dress review redbubble

I quite like the dress with a belt for my figure, as seen in the photo above. But, I think this dress is probably flattering for most body-types, especially with the option of a belt or no belt.

While this dress is great for hot summer days or tropical vacations, it could also be paired with a light cardigan and heels for a cute evening look.

More details about the dress from Redbubble‘s website:

  • 97% Polyester / 3% Elastane woven dress fabric
  • Made in the U.S.A.
  • Print covers entire front and back panel
  • Loose swing shape for an easy, flowy fit.
a-line dress paired with a belt, sunglasses and hat

Let me know what you think about this Redbubble dress review, or any other Redbubble products you’ve purchased by leaving a comment below!

Shop all of my dress designs on Redbubble

Check out these other Redbubble product reviews I’ve written:

Have a great day!

Cheers,

julie signing off