I’m telling you, the adult coloring book market is where the real money is. I’ve seen that the vast majority of people actually spending their cash on these books are adults, not kids. But here’s the thing: you can’t just throw some random pages together and expect to build a brand. You have to be incredibly strategic.
I’ve noticed that adult colorists have a total “BS detector” when it comes to AI-generated images. They can spot a weirdly melted hand or a floating eye from a mile away, and once they see that, they’ll never buy from you again. If you’re just starting out, I want you to look into the “Bold and Easy” or “Simple Aesthetic” styles. You don’t need a million tiny details to make a best-seller. In fact, a lot of people find those super-intricate books way too stressful, which defeats the whole purpose of coloring for them.
The biggest insight I can give you is this: you have to pick a lane and stay in it.
Think about it—if you love “Bold and Beautiful” books with thick lines and easy shapes, you’re probably looking for a quick, 20-minute dopamine hit. You aren’t going to suddenly buy an 18-hour-per-page detailed fantasy landscape. Adult colorists are very loyal to their specific “vibe.”
I’ve seen so many creators fail because they try to be everything to everyone. One week they do simple flowers, the next they do hyper-realistic horror. All that does is confuse your customers. If I buy a book from you because I love your clean, boho style, and your next book is a gritty, detailed steampunk mess, I’m probably not coming back. I recommend you build your brand around one specific “look” so that when someone sees a page, they immediately say, “Oh, I know who made this.” That’s how you turn a one-time buyer into a superfan.
