๐จ HOW TO CREATE AND PUBLISH A COLORING BOOK TO SELL WITHOUT USING AMAZON KDP
TL;DR ๐
Reading Time Saved: ~20 minutes โณ โ Read this in ~7 minutes! ๐
What Youโll Achieve: Learn how to create, print, and sell coloring books without using Amazon KDP, using print-on-demand and your own website for higher profits.
๐ Step-by-Step Guide to Creating & Selling Coloring Books Without Amazon KDP
1๏ธโฃ Choosing a Profitable Niche ๐ฏ
โ Why Niche Matters
- People buy coloring books as solutions (stress relief, education, fun).
- Pick a niche that has demand and less competition.
โ How to Find a Profitable Niche - Search bestselling coloring books on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Etsy.
- Look for trending themes (e.g., farm animals, holiday books, educational themes).
๐ Watch how to choose the right niche
2๏ธโฃ Designing Your Coloring Book ๐
โ Print-On-Demand Strategy
- Instead of pre-printing, use print-on-demand (POD) to avoid upfront costs.
- Inform customers about slower shipping and offer a digital version instantly.
โ Use the Right Templates - Design with proper margins & bleed settings.
- Ensure no content is in the book gutter (center crease).
โ Creating Pages in Canva - Set custom dimensions for bleed: 8.625 x 11.125 inches.
- Use Magic Media AI to generate unique coloring images.
๐ See the full book design process
3๏ธโฃ Uploading & Printing with Barnes & Noble Press ๐จ๏ธ
โ Why Not Amazon KDP?
- Amazon takes 40-65% of profits.
- More control over pricing when using Barnes & Noble or private printers.
โ How to Upload & Print - Sign up at press.barnesandnoble.com.
- Choose Print-On-Demand & upload your PDF file.
- Set pricing to cover printing costs ($2.90 per book and up).
๐ Learn how to print your book
4๏ธโฃ Selling Your Coloring Book Online ๐
โ Build Your Own Website (Higher Profits)
- Avoid third-party marketplaces to keep 100% of profits.
- Use Hostinger AI Website Builder to create a professional online store in minutes.
โ Add Your Product for Sale - Upload book cover, description, and price ($15+ to cover costs & profit).
- Offer instant digital download to satisfy customers while they wait for print copy.
๐ See how to set up your online store
5๏ธโฃ Marketing Your Coloring Book ๐ข
โ Use Social Media & Content Marketing
- Instagram & TikTok Reels: Show the book in action ๐ฅ.
- Pinterest & Etsy Listings: Target parents & educators ๐.
โ Offer Freebies & Discounts - Provide a free sample page to build an email list.
- Run a limited-time discount to boost initial sales.
๐ Discover marketing tricks to sell more books
โก Actionable Steps to Get Started
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Pick a profitable niche & research top-selling books ๐
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Design your book using Canva with proper margins ๐จ
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Upload to Barnes & Noble Press for print-on-demand ๐
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Build your own website for higher profit margins ๐ฐ
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Promote through social media & giveaways ๐ฃ
๐ Want to Scale Your Coloring Book Business Faster?
We help creators publish & market their books without relying on Amazon.
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Step-by-step guidance on book design & sales ๐
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Custom website & marketing setup ๐
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Scaling strategies for long-term success ๐
๐ Book a FREE strategy session
๐ฌ Whatโs Your Biggest Challenge with Publishing Books? Drop a comment, and letโs discuss!







