Your Guide To Self-Publishing A Coloring Book In 7 Easy Steps

Are you an aspiring artist with a passion for creativity? Have you ever dreamed of sharing your artwork with the world? Well, you're in luck because self-publishing a coloring book is a fantastic way for you to do just that! In this article, we will take you on a journey through the exciting world of self-publishing, so let's get started!

Step 1: Find a Hot Niche & Set A Mood Board

First, you need to take a moment and find a hot niche with good potential. Something with low competition and that is in high demand. Once you establish your niche, start to picture your coloring book and figure out what themes and designs you want to include. Let your creativity run wild.

Step 2: Create Your Art

Are you ready to make the magic happen? Dive into your creative process, and don't be afraid to experiment. Think about the people who will be coloring your pages. What kind of experience do you want to offer them? The more heart and soul you pour into your illustrations, the more captivating your coloring book will be.

Step 3: Edit & Format Your Book

Even the most talented artists can make mistakes, so you must go through to see that everything is seamless. You want your customers to have an enjoyable coloring experience. So, always double-check for errors to ensure everything about your coloring book looks perfect. Now that your artwork is complete, it's time to format your coloring book. How do you want your coloring book to look and feel? You can do this by taking advantage of any graphic design software (Canva as a option) or hiring a professional if you prefer. You must also consider the layout, page size, and overall design first, so mention these to your designer.

Step 4: Title & Cover Design

Coming up with a perfect title will need some keyword/title research depending on the publishing platform you are using. Using keywords that people are searching for will help potential customers find your coloring book. When it comes to your cover, unless you are already familiar with creating cover designs, I would suggest hiring a freelancer to create your cover so that it looks professional and really stands out from the crowds, in a good way. Send one of the coloring pages from your book for them to design your cover with. Tell them the size,  title and author name to create your cover. On Amazon KDP the cover is uploaded as one PDF document with the front and back of the book cover. Here is a cover calculator to help you with the dimensions which Amazon KDP provides. 

Step 5: Publish Your Book

Self-publishing is an excellent choice to reach a global audience quickly. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allow you to upload your coloring book as an e-book, paperback, hardcover or a downloadable PDF with Etsy.

Step 6: Market Your Coloring Book

Now that your coloring book is ready to meet the world, it's time to market it. Choose how you will promote your masterpiece; you can choose social media for your website or collaborate with other artists. All these are excellent ways for your book to gain exposure. If you upload your book to the Amazon KDP platform you can also run ads on their platform. 

Step 7: Build Your Brand

As you are about to navigate the self-publishing journey, you need to think about the bigger picture. Think about how this coloring book fits into your overall brand as an artist. Are you planning to create more coloring books? You can use your coloring book as a stepping stone to a bright career, so you must focus on building your brand.

Take Home Message

Self-publishing a coloring book is an experience that allows you to share your unique vision with the world. But you need to remember that it's not just about the destination but also about the artistic journey you're embarking on. So, are you ready to turn your artistic dreams into reality? Start today, and let your creativity shine through.