How to Create a Coloring Book for Amazon KDP in 2025
Have you ever dreamed of publishing your own coloring book and making passive income from it? With Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing), it’s never been easier. You don’t need fancy tools, expensive software or design experience – just a clear plan, a creative vision, and the right guide to walk you through it.
In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to create a professional-quality coloring book for Amazon KDP in 2025. Whether you’re starting from scratch or ready to upload your first file, these steps will help you build a book you can be proud of – and actually sell.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly believe in that support creativity and stress relief.
Why Amazon KDP Is Perfect for Coloring Book Creators
Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) has completely transformed self-publishing – and for coloring book creators, it’s one of the best platforms out there. Whether you’re an artist, a hobbyist, or an aspiring entrepreneur, KDP makes it possible to get your book in front of a global audience with no upfront printing costs.
Here’s why it’s the ideal place to launch your first (or next) coloring book:
Print-on-Demand = No Inventory
You don’t need to invest in hundreds of copies or worry about where to store them. KDP handles printing and shipping as orders come in – so you only pay when a book is sold.
Global Reach Without a Publisher
Your book is instantly available to millions of customers on Amazon worldwide. No middlemen, no gatekeepers. You keep control over your pricing, content, and updates.
Free to Use, Even for Beginners
Publishing on KDP is completely free. You can upload your files, design your cover, and publish without spending a dime – making it accessible even if you’re just getting started.
Great for Niche and Hobby Creators
From kawaii creatures to mythological gods or seasonal scenes, niche coloring books perform well on Amazon. If you have a creative idea, there’s likely a market – and KDP helps you reach it.
Step 1 – Plan Your Coloring Book
Before you open any design software, you need to do a little strategic thinking. Planning your coloring book upfront ensures you’re creating something that sells – not just something that looks pretty.
This step is all about clarity: Who is your book for? What will it look like? And what niche will it fit into?
Choose a Theme or Niche
Your theme is the heart of your book – and it’s what attracts buyers. Some popular (and evergreen) niche ideas include:
- Fantasy Creatures (dragons, fairies, cryptids)
- Kawaii Animals (bunnies, cats, dinosaurs)
- Stress Relief (mandalas, nature scenes)
- Mythology (Greek gods, ancient civilizations)
- Affirmations or Art Therapy themes
Pro Tip: The more specific the niche, the easier it is to stand out on Amazon.
Define Your Audience
Your book’s tone, complexity, and design should match your audience. Ask yourself:
- Is this book for kids, teens, or adults?
- Are the designs simple or intricate?
- Will they color for fun, therapy, or creativity?
Examples:
- Ages 4 – 8 => Simple outlines, big shapes
- Teens & Adults => Intricate line work, detailed themes
- Art Therapy => Calm compositions, soothing patterns
Knowing your audience helps you choose fonts, line weight, layout, and pricing.
Decide on Book Size and Length
Amazon KDP offers various trim sizes, but here are two of the best for coloring books:
- 8.5″ x 8.5″ – Square format, modern and giftable
- 8.5″ x 11″ – Classic vertical layout, printer-friendly
Recommended total pages: 40 – 109 pages, with at least 72 pages for expanded reach.
Remember: coloring books should be single-sided to prevent bleed-through.
Step 2: Create Your Interior Pages
Once you’ve nailed down your theme and audience, it’s time to bring your coloring pages to life. Whether you’re drawing from scratch or using digital tools, this is where your creativity shines.
Use Design Tools or AI
You have more options than ever when it comes to creating coloring pages – no art degree required. Some powerful tools include:
- Nurie Creator (AI-powered; great for fast niche generation)
- Canva (drag-and-drop templates + SVG import)
- Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator (vector line art creation)
- Procreate (for hand-drawn, stylized illustrations on iPad)
Format in High Resolution
Amazon KDP has specific technical requirements for print books:
- Resolution: 300 DPI (dots per inch)
- File type: PDF recommended
- Color mode: Black & white (for printing clarity)
- Page layout: Single-sided is best for coloring books.
Also, leave a 0.25″ – 0.5″ margin on all sides to prevent important parts from being trimmed off.
Add Backing Pages or Blank Spacers
To prevent ink bleed-through, insert a blank page behind each coloring design. This also creates a cleaner, more enjoyable experience for the colorist.
Structure example:
- Page 1: Coloring page
- Page 2: Blank Backing Page
- Repeat….
Step 3 – Design a Professional Cover
They say don’t judge a book by its cover – but shoppers on Amazon absolutely do. Your coloring book cover is your first impression, your visual pitch, and your best marketing tool all in one.
Fortunately, you don’t need to be a graphic designer to make a high-converting cover. You just need the right tools, layout, and clarity.
Use Templates or Design Tools
Amazon KDP provides free cover size calculators and downloadable templates. Once you know your page count and trim size, you can create your print-ready file in tools like:
- Canva (with KDP cover templates built-in)
- BookBolt (paid, but optimized for self-publishers)
- Adobe Illustrator / Photoshop (for full control)
Meet Amazon’s Cover Requirements
Here are the basic specs for a professional-looing KDP coloring book cover:
- Trim Size: Match your interior (e.g., 8.5″ x 11″)
- Color Mode: CMYK (for print clarity)
- File Format: PDF (print-ready)
- Spine Width: Calculated based on total page count
- Bleed: 0.125″ on all sides
Design Tips That Help Your Book Sell
- Use bold, legible fonts (especially from a thumbnail view)
- Include 1 – 2 sample illustrations as a “peek inside”
- Choose a high-contrast background for visibility
- Add your title + subtitle clearly (avoid clutter!)
Step 4 – Upload to Amazon KDP
You’ve planned your pages. You’ve formatted your files. You’ve designed a beautiful cover. Now it’s time to bring your coloring book to life on Amazon!
The publishing process on Kindle Direct Publishing is easier than you might think – especially when you’re prepared with the right files and information ahead of time.
Log In & Start a New Paperback Project
- Visit kdp.amazon.com
- Click “+ Create” => Select Paperback
- Enter your book title, subtitle, author name, and description
- Choose your keywords and categories
- Set publishing rights (usually “I own the copyright”)
- Choose print options (B&W interior, white paper, trim size, bleed, matte cover)
Upload Your Files
Once you’ve filled out your book details, it’s time to upload your files:
- Manuscript (Interior File): PDF (single-sided, 300 DPI, correct page count)
- Cover File: PDF with bleed, full wrap (front, spine, back)
- Use KDP’s Print Previewer: This tool checks for alignment, bleed issues, and print-safe margins
Set Your Price and Territories
- Decide if you want Expanded Distribution (recommended if your book has 72+ pages)
- Choose a list price that covers your print cost and leaves room for royalties (Typical range for coloring books: $6.99 – $9.99)
- Select the Amazon marketplaces where your book should be available (default: Worldwide)
Hit “Publish” and Wait for Approval
Once you submit your book, KDP will review it – usually within 24 – 72 hours. You’ll receive an email once it’s live. Then… you’re officially published!
Pro Tips to Boost Visibility and Sales
Publishing your coloring book is just the beginning. Now it’s time to help people find it – and fall in love with it. These pro tips will help you increase your visibility, drive organic traffic, and turn your book into a passive income machine.
Use Keyword-Rich Titles and Subtitles
Your title is searchable – so treat it like a headline. Use relevant, niche-specific keywords that people are already typing into Amazon.
Instead of:
“Color & Relax”
Try:
“Relaxing Mandala Coloring Book for Adults: 40 Pages of Stress Relief & Mindfulness”
Upload to the Right Categories
Amazon allows two categories, but you can request up to 10 total via Author Central. Aim for a mix of high-traffic and niche-specific categories like:
- Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Coloring Books for Grown-Ups
- Books > Health > Self-Help > Creativity
- Books > Children’s Books > Activity Books > Coloring
Add A+ Content & Author Bio
If you have a KDP brand or series, you can add A+ content to your book page through Amazon Author Central. This lets you include image carousels, branded banners, and comparison charts.
Also: Don’t skip your author bio. Let people know who’s behind the book – and why they’ll love it.
Promote on Pinterest, Gumroad & Your Blog
Amazon’s algorithm rewards external traffic. When you promote your book on platforms like Pinterest, Gumroad, Instagram, and your own blog, it increases your book’s visibility and ranking.
Want to Save Time? Try Nurie Creator
If designing page after page sounds overwhelming – or you’re just short on time – there’s a faster, smarter way to create your coloring book: Nurie Creator.
This powerful AI software is made for creators like you. It lets you generate ready-to-publish coloring book pages in any niche, with no design skills, and no complicated tools.
With Nurie Creator, you can:
- Generate unique black-and-white line art in many styles in seconds
- Build niche-specific books (like cryptids, fantasy, kawaii animals)
- Export high-res pages in PDF, PNG, SVG, or PPT formats
- Skip the formatting stress – EVERYTHING is KDP-ready
- Access built-in training + done-for-you traffic system
Start Creating Instantly
Click here to try Nurie Creator =>
Just one powerful tool to help you publish faster and earn sooner!
