How to Make and Sell Coloring Books on Amazon
Have a creative skill or just an idea? Why not turn it into a coloring book? The coloring book market is booming — expected to reach $1.5 billion in 2025 for adults alone, with the kids’ segment also on the rise. Plus, it’s affordable and easy to start: make your own books and sell digital copies.
In this article, we’ll show you how to effectively sell coloring books on Amazon.
Sell Your Coloring Books
Starting a coloring book business might seem simple — just imagine coloring pages with princesses, unicorns, and endless creativity. However, it’s important to remember that this venture requires careful planning and strategy.
Here are the main steps to help you get started:
Step 1: Understand the Coloring Book Market
Before you make coloring books, it’s essential to understand the market, since it offers a wide range of opportunities — from traditional children’s cartoon books to adult-oriented themes like mindfulness. Here are a few key facts:
Popular categories include stress-relief books and seasonal designs.
Emerging trends include personalized storybooks and coloring books inspired by popular video games.
Over 70% of coloring book purchases are made by women.
Millennials represent the largest demographic of buyers.
Eco-friendly coloring books are gaining popularity.
Popular themes include abstract designs, nature, animals, and pets.
By focusing on popular themes and staying up-to-date with emerging trends, you can create a product that resonates with your target audience and is better positioned in the market.
Step 2: Choose a Profitable Niche
Choosing the right niche ensures you target in-demand products and avoid getting lost in Amazon's crowded marketplace. This increases your chances of making sales and boosting revenue. Analyzing competition, sales, and other factors will help assess niche potential, and the AMZScout toolkit makes this process simpler with its user-friendly interface.
Here’s how to use it:
1. Install the AMZScout PRO AI Extension. Sign up with your email to start a free trial and access its features.
2. Look up a product. Enter a product name, such as 'coloring book by number,' into Amazon’s search bar. Open the AMZScout extension by clicking its icon in the top-right corner of your browser.
3. Review the niche profitability. Analyze key metrics like estimated monthly sales and net margin at the top of the screen.
For example, a “coloring book by numbers” averages 516 sales per month and generates approximately $4,836 in revenue.
4. Check the niche potential. Click Niche Score to see a breakdown of the competition and demand for the whole niche.
For example, the 'coloring book by number' niche has a score of 6—indicating desirable prices and good sales. However, many products in this niche come with cheap prices and face tough competition from established sellers with numerous reviews.
5. Check the niche history. Click on Niche History to see if products in this niche have stable demand or are seasonal, and whether the trend is stable, positive, or negative at the moment.
For example, we see that sales for 'coloring book by number' are extremely low during the summer and spring. This means that if you focus on this niche, you’ll need to promote other products during the winter and autumn to maintain sales.
6. Check an AI Analysis of your competitors' performance. Click AI Analysis in the upper-right corner to view a detailed breakdown of top sellers’ strategies, pricing models, keywords, and sales performance.
Note: You can check how to stand out with your product by clicking AI Product Analysis under any product to see improvement suggestions.
This helps you make informed decisions and target high-potential niches by appealing to specific audiences, giving you a competitive edge.
Step 3: Decide on Your Content and Theme
To make your coloring book more appealing, start by choosing a clear and engaging theme. For example, Twilight-themed coloring books once became popular thanks to the success of the book and movie series.
Select a drawing style that matches your target audience — detailed, intricate illustrations for adults, or simple, playful drawings for kids. To help your book stand out from competitors, consider adding a unique element, such as customizable pages or interactive prompts.
Step 4: Create the Interior Illustrations
The most important part of coloring books is the illustrations. Here are a few ways to create them:
DIY: If you have design skills, you can create the illustrations yourself using software like Adobe Illustrator or Procreate.
Hire freelancers: You can outsource the work to freelancers from platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. Be sure to check reviews and portfolios to ensure quality.
Use pre-made materials: Another option is to use pre-made illustrations from websites like Creative Fabrica, Book Bird, or Vecteezy. These offer affordable designs, but keep in mind you may face competition from others using the same assets.
AI-generated art: Many AI tools offer free art generation, but without a paid subscription, the images aren’t considered your intellectual property, so you can't legally sell them.
Coloring book maker tools: Platforms like Canva offer easy-to-use tools with drag-and-drop features and templates to build your coloring book quickly.
Make sure your illustrations don’t infringe on any copyrights, especially when using recognizable characters like Disney’s.
Step 5: Design a High-Converting Book Cover
A visually striking cover is key to attracting buyers. It’s the first thing they see, so make sure it stands out and clearly represents your book. Here are three practical tips:
Clarity: Keep the design clean and focused on the title and main imagery.
Niche alignment: Make sure the cover reflects your book's theme and appeals to your target audience.
Readable fonts: Use bold, easy-to-read fonts that are easy to read, even in small previews.
For example, Harry Potter coloring books became successful because their covers used iconic imagery from the series, instantly appealing to fans. The designs aligned with the magical theme and were instantly recognizable.
Remember, you can always update your cover later to improve its performance based on feedback or trends.
Step 6: Format Your Book for Amazon KDP
To publish your coloring book on Amazon, it’s crucial to ensure it meets the KDP format requirements. Here are the key steps:
Page count: The minimum page count for a paperback on Amazon KDP is 24 pages. Most coloring books fall between 30 and 60 pages, but keep in mind that longer books may increase print-on-demand costs, which can impact your pricing and overall sales.
File format: The most common file format for coloring books is PDF. Make sure your files are high resolution (300 DPI) to ensure the best print quality.
Book size: The recommended trim size for coloring books is 8.5” x 11” (similar to A4). However, you can choose other dimensions as long as they comply with KDP’s guidelines for margins and bleed settings.
You can format your book using platforms like Atticus or Canva. Both offer easy-to-use tools for creating and resizing book layouts, helping you design and resize your coloring book effortlessly.
Step 7: Publish on Amazon KDP
Once you're ready, it’s time to publish your coloring book. Here’s how to do it using Amazon KDP:
1. Sign in to your KDP account. If you’re new to Kindle Direct Publishing, provide your business details during the sign-up process.
2. Enter your book details. Click "Create" and select "Kindle ebook." Provide the following:
Language: Specify your book’s language from the supported options.
Title: Craft a compelling title that grabs readers’ attention.
Author: Add the author’s name and list up to nine collaborators, such as illustrators.
Description: The description should highlight the core theme, spark curiosity about the plot, and encourage readers to dive in. Kindle offers resources to help you format effectively.
Keywords: Enter up to seven keywords to boost search visibility and help customers find your book.
Publishing rights: Clearly state that the book is your intellectual property.
Category: Select up to two categories to help readers find your book and stand out from competitors.
Adjust print settings: Choose your print options, including interior type, paper quality, cover finish, and more.
Select your royalty: Choose 70% royalty if you sell exclusively on Amazon, or 35% if you distribute your book to other platforms.
3. Set your price. Find the right balance between competitive pricing and profitability.
4. Choose your markets. Select the Amazon marketplaces where you want to sell your book, such as Amazon Australia, to reach your target audience.
5. Publish. Click “Save” and then “Publish.” Your book will typically go live on Amazon within 72 hours.
Once published, your coloring book will be available to millions. In the next section, we’ll explore strategies to help it achieve its full potential.
Step 8: Market Your Coloring Book
Once your coloring book is ready, it’s time to get it in front of potential buyers. Marketing is essential for generating sales and building a loyal audience. Here are several proven strategies to promote your book:
Leverage social media: Platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook are ideal for sharing visuals of your designs and growing a community around your brand.
Collaborate with influencers: Partner with creators whose audiences align with your target market. Reviews, giveaways, and shoutouts can boost your visibility and credibility.
Run Amazon PPC campaigns: Use Amazon ads to target relevant shoppers and increase your book’s exposure across search results and product pages.
Engage locally: Attend craft fairs, pop-up events, or collaborate with schools and libraries to raise awareness and generate word-of-mouth interest.
Tip: Marketing success depends not just on creativity, but on consistency. Try new formats, but stay active and visible—your audience needs to see you regularly.
This is just a starting point. Your marketing journey will evolve as you learn what resonates most with your audience. Over time, you’ll refine your strategy and build a more sustainable business.
FAQs
Is selling books on Amazon really profitable?
Yes, selling books on Amazon can be profitable. While royalty percentages may start off modest, high sales volume can lead to over $1,000/month in passive income, according to seller feedback. To achieve this, you’ll need to pick the right product and use an effective promotion strategy.
How much money can I make selling coloring books?
The money you can make selling coloring books depends on factors like book type, promotion strategies, and more. Top authors can earn over $10,000/month, while those with multiple books but less recognition typically make between $1,000 and $5,000. To succeed, you’ll need a strong brand and high sales volume.
Can you make money selling coloring books on Amazon?
Yes, you can make money selling coloring books on Amazon. While earnings can vary, experienced sellers typically earn over $1,000/month. The key is finding a niche with demand, and using tools like AMZScout can help you identify the most profitable book types and optimize your marketing for a steady stream of passive income.
Can you publish a coloring book on Amazon?
Yes, you can publish a coloring book on Amazon using KDP. This service allows you to upload and sell both physical (print-on-demand) and digital coloring books. Depending on the cover type you choose (paperback or digital), you can choose your royalty rate and manage your earnings per sale.
Do coloring books need copyright?
You don’t need to officially register a copyright to start selling your coloring books, as your work is automatically protected under copyright law. However, registering with the U.S. Copyright Office can give you extra protection and make it easier to take legal action if someone copies your work.
Do I need an ISBN for my coloring book?
Whether you need an ISBN depends on where you're selling. If you publish through Amazon KDP, an ISBN is not required. However, using one can unlock features like “Look Inside the Book.” Keep in mind that ISBNs aren’t free — you’ll need to purchase one if you want to use it.
Conclusion
Selling coloring books can be a fun and creative business, but real success takes strategy. It all starts with choosing the right product — books that meet current demand. Consider using the AMZScout toolkit to make informed decisions, helping you select profitable niches. With smart planning, you’ll be better positioned for long-term growth and lasting success.
