How to Self-Publish a Coloring Book

Coloring books aren’t just for children. Adult coloring books have become increasingly popular because they provide a relaxing and creative outlet for adults. Self-publishing a coloring book is a great way to share your artistic talent with the world—and potentially turn your passion into a profitable venture! 

It’s important to understand the process of publishing your own coloring book and the benefits and disadvantages of self-publishing, so familiarize yourself with the reasons for self-publishing a coloring book before you get started. 

Reasons for self-publishing a coloring book 

Self-publishing is a great option for artists and illustrators who want to have complete control over the creative process and distribution of their coloring book. Publishing on your own allows you to have more control over your book’s design, content, and retailers, which can be beneficial if you want to target a specific audience or have a unique selling point.

Should I self-publish my coloring book? 

If you want full control over the publishing process, self-publishing might be for you. Traditional publishers will, of course, take care of production and distribution, but they will control most of the process. Think of self-publishing as being your own boss as opposed to owning your own company. There are advantages and disadvantages to both! 

What are the benefits and disadvantages of self-publishing a coloring book?

There are many benefits to self-publishing your coloring book, including: 

• keeping a higher percentage of the book sales. 
• having more control over the creative process. 
• releasing your book on your own timeline. 

However, self-publishing also means that you’ll be responsible for all aspects of the publishing process, such as editing, formatting, printing, and promotion. This can be a significant undertaking and may require additional resources and expertise.

Whether you choose to self-publish or go with a traditional publisher, you’ll have to prepare your book for the world to see. 

Preparing your book

Books don’t just happen. There’s a lot of time and hard work in creating the book itself. And once that creative process is complete, there are other preparations to make before you can publish. For coloring books, some of the most important components are your illustrations and book layout.  

How should you create your illustrations?

When creating your illustrations, it’s essential to consider the audience you’re targeting and your book’s theme. Adult coloring books often have more intricate designs and patterns than children’s coloring books. Because of that, you might want to create a variety of illustrations to appeal to different interests and skill levels. You can even format your book by organizing the illustrations by complexity. 

How should you format your book?

The first step in formatting your coloring book is to consider the size and layout of your illustrations. A common size for adult coloring books is 8.5×11 inches, with a portrait orientation (that means vertical instead of horizontal). 

Next, choose the type of paper you will be using for your book, as this can affect the overall quality, durability, and even color of your book. Finally, choose the best order for your illustrations. Will you group them by complexity or by topic? To answer this question, you might consider how the book will look once it’s printed. 

How do you print your book?

Once you have formatted your book, it’s time to print it. There are several different options for printing your coloring book, including: 

• Digital printing
• Offset printing 
• On-demand printing 

Each option has its pros and cons. Before you choose the method, consider your budget, print run, and turnaround time when choosing a printing method. Then you can start your book promotion to help you ring up those book sales! 

Promoting your book

You want to sell copies of your coloring book. So you need a book promotion plan! This is basically marketing for authors, and it’s a key element of your success as a published illustrator. 

How do you create a marketing plan?

Creating a marketing plan is essential to promoting your coloring book and reaching your target audience. Your marketing plan should include strategies for reaching your target audience through social media, email marketing, and advertising. Book reviews are also helpful in promoting your book, so try to get your work in front of some reviewers.

How do you get your book in the hands of reviewers?

Getting your book in the hands of reviewers can increase visibility and credibility for your coloring book. You can reach out to book reviewers and bloggers as well as submit your book to online bookstores and libraries. The more positive reviews, the better! 

Help your coloring book be a success!

To self-publish or to traditionally publish? That is the question. Fortunately, Elite Authors has the answer! We’ll guide you through the process and help you decide whether to look for a book deal or publish on your own. 

Visit our website for more information!