How to Incorporate Your Brand into a Custom Colouring Book

Creating a custom coloring book can be a lucrative way to showcase your artistic talents and promote your brand. With the rise in popularity of adult coloring books, there is a growing demand for unique and engaging designs. This article will guide you through the process of designing and printing a custom coloring book that aligns with your brand's identity and resonates with your target audience.

Understanding the Coloring Book Boom

The coloring book industry has experienced a significant boom in recent years, with the rise of adult coloring books leading the charge. According to QinPrinting, the first release of adult coloring books in the commercial self-publishing scene occurred between 2012 and 2015, and the attention of the popular press has since moved on to other trends. However, the market for coloring books, both for adults and children, remains strong, with MVP Print continuing to receive a steady flow of printing requests, many from repeat-buying customers and successful self-publishers.

The Rise of Adult Coloring Books

The coloring book boom was driven largely by the surge in popularity of adult coloring books. In 2015, there was a significant spike in the demand for adult coloring books, marking a peak in the trendiness of this activity. Despite the initial hype settling down, adult coloring books have remained incredibly popular, attracting a wide range of individuals seeking a relaxing and creative outlet.

Benefits of Creating a Coloring Book

Creating a coloring book can be a lucrative way to showcase your artistic talents and potentially generate passive income through self-publishing. Coloring has been found to have a calming effect, slowing down heart rate and respiration, while also stimulating the brain, as noted by clinical psychologist Craig Sawchuk from the Mayo Clinic. Therapists, such as Emily Hamilton, often recommend adult coloring books to their clients as a helpful self-soothing and coping tool, as the activity can calm the nervous system and aid in processing emotions.

Beyond the personal benefits, coloring books can also serve as a means to build your brand and engage with your target audience. Adult coloring books are considered a form of art that can be easily displayed or shared on social media platforms, providing an opportunity to showcase your creativity and connect with potential customers. Additionally, coloring can be an accessible hobby that requires little funding, making it an appealing option for individuals looking to explore a new creative outlet.

Choosing a Captivating Theme

The first step in creating a successful coloring book is to choose a captivating theme. According to MVP Print, coloring books with a unifying theme, whether broad like "Nature" or narrow like "Popular Italian Scooters," tend to perform better than those without a clear focus. When selecting a theme, it's crucial to consider your target audience, whether it's for adults or children, and research the current coloring book market trends to identify popular themes with high demand.

Researching Popular Themes and Trends

Exploring the latest coloring book themes and trends is essential to ensuring your creation aligns with the preferences of your target audience. Popular adult coloring book themes often include intricate floral designs, abstract patterns, and nostalgic subject matter like vintage cars or iconic landmarks. For children's coloring books, themes focusing on animals, fantasy creatures, and educational concepts like the alphabet or counting tend to be well-received.

Finding Your Unique Niche

While understanding popular coloring book themes is important, it's also crucial to find a unique niche that sets your creation apart. This could involve combining multiple themes, exploring lesser-known subject matter, or offering a fresh perspective on a classic topic. By identifying a unique coloring book niche, you can capture the attention of your audience and establish your brand as a go-to source for captivating and distinctive designs.

Custom Colouring Book Design Process

When it comes to creating the designs for your custom coloring book, you have two main options: traditional hand-drawn designs or digital designs using illustration software. Both approaches offer unique advantages and can help you create a visually appealing and engaging coloring book that resonates with your target audience.

Traditional Hand-Drawn Designs

If you have a passion for traditional art and enjoy the process of hand-drawing your illustrations, this option may be the perfect choice for you. Hand-drawn coloring book designs can have a distinct and charming aesthetic that appeals to many people. By utilizing your artistic skills, you can create unique, one-of-a-kind illustrations that capture the essence of your brand. This approach allows you to infuse your personal style and creativity into the coloring book, making it a true reflection of your artistic vision.

Digital Design with Illustration Software

Alternatively, you can create your coloring book designs using digital illustration software like Adobe Illustrator or Canva. This method offers several benefits, including the ability to easily modify and refine your designs, access a wider range of creative tools and effects, and maintain consistent quality throughout your coloring book. Digital coloring book designs can be particularly appealing to those with a more contemporary or minimalist aesthetic, as they often feature clean lines, vibrant colors, and intricate patterns. Many professional graphic artists prefer this approach to ensure a high level of detail and precision in their custom coloring book designs.

Formatting and Layout Considerations

Once you have your completed designs, it's time to focus on the formatting and layout of your custom coloring book. This process involves creating a template that includes the necessary bleed and trim lines, as well as considering the appropriate paper quality and binding options to ensure a professional and cohesive final product.

Creating a Template with Bleed and Trim Lines

To ensure your coloring book designs print correctly, it's essential to create a template that includes bleed and trim lines. Bleed lines extend the artwork or background color beyond the final trim line, which helps eliminate any unwanted white edges. Trim lines indicate where the paper will be cut to achieve the desired page size. By incorporating these guidelines into your layout, you can ensure your coloring book pages have a clean, professional appearance.

Choosing the Right Paper Quality

The paper quality you choose for your coloring book can greatly impact the overall experience for your users. Uncoated or wood-free papers are recommended for coloring books, as they allow for consistent color absorption and prevent the ink from smearing or bleeding through the pages. Ideal paper weights for coloring books typically range from 100 gsm / 68 lb to 140 gsm / 95 lb, with thicker paper providing better durability and a premium feel.

Binding Options for Coloring Books

When it comes to binding your coloring book, the choice will depend on the number of pages. Saddle stitching is a popular binding option for coloring books with 48 pages or fewer, as it is a cost-effective and durable solution. For coloring books with more pages, perfect binding may be the better choice, as it provides a stronger, more professional-looking spine.

Printing Your Custom Colouring Book

When it comes to printing custom coloring books, you have several options to consider. While platforms like Amazon offer print-on-demand services, MVP Print suggests that many successful independent sellers prefer working with offset printing for professional-quality results.

For high-quality printing, QinPrinting recommends exploring various paper options, including 60 lb. and 70 lb. uncoated white paper for the interior pages. Additionally, coated art paper in 100# or 120# weights can be used for the cover, providing a premium and vibrant finish.

In terms of binding options, coloring books can be produced with a range of methods, such as saddle-stitched, perfect bound, spiral bound, or wire-o. The choice of binding will depend on your desired aesthetic, durability, and user experience.

When designing your custom coloring book, it's crucial to consider a resolution of 300 dpi to ensure crisp and high-quality images. Additionally, an inner margin of approximately half an inch is recommended to provide a comfortable coloring experience for your audience.

For those looking to print in larger quantities, offset printing can be a cost-effective solution, as the cost-per-unit typically decreases as the order size increases. Printivity, a leading professional printing provider, emphasizes their expertise in handling bulk printing projects and delivering competitive pricing.

Branding and Marketing Strategies

With your custom coloring book now created and printed, it's time to focus on branding and marketing strategies to effectively reach your target audience. Leveraging various channels and approaches can help you build an online presence, forge meaningful collaborations, and ultimately drive sales for your unique coloring book offerings.

Building an Online Presence

Establishing a strong online presence is crucial for the success of your custom coloring book. Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to showcase your designs, engage with your audience, and promote your brand. A dedicated website can also serve as a hub for showcasing your coloring book, providing product details, and facilitating online sales.

Optimize your online presence by creating visually appealing content, leveraging relevant keywords for coloring books, and implementing effective search engine optimization (SEO) strategies. This will help your custom coloring book stand out in the digital marketplace and attract the attention of potential customers.

Collaborations and Partnerships

Exploring opportunities for collaborations and partnerships can significantly expand the reach of your custom coloring book. Consider teaming up with other artists, influencers, or brands that align with your target audience. These collaborations can introduce your work to new audiences, leading to increased visibility and potential sales.

Engaging in coloring book partnerships can also provide access to new distribution channels, such as working with established publishers, print service providers or specialty retailers. This can help your custom coloring book gain traction and reach a wider customer base.

Expanding Your Brand with Companion Products

Creating a successful custom coloring book can often lead to opportunities for expanding your brand and offering companion products. By developing products that complement your coloring book, you can enhance the user experience and increase the perceived value of your brand. This could include art supplies like high-quality colored pencils, branded sketchbooks, or even digital offerings such as online courses, printable content, or an immersive experience that engages your customers in new ways.

Expanding your coloring book brand with companion products allows you to provide a more comprehensive and engaging experience for your audience. Whether it's offering related art supplies that enhance the coloring process or digital content that extends the creative journey, these additional offerings can foster deeper customer engagement and loyalty. By diversifying your product lineup, you can tap into new revenue streams and solidify your position as a trusted and versatile brand in the thriving coloring book market.

As you explore the possibilities of expanding your coloring book brand, keep your target audience in mind and consider how these companion products can add value to their experience. By leveraging your expertise, creativity, and understanding of your customers' needs, you can develop a well-rounded portfolio of offerings that amplify your brand's reach and impact in the industry.