Coloring is an activity that is both fun and creative. I don’t think there’s anyone on earth who hasn’t colored something at least once in his life. It’s one of those simple joys that sticks with us from the days of pencil colors and coloring books to the adult years when we start reaching for art again to reduce stress.
There’s something magical about coloring. The way it clears your head, slows everything down, and lets you focus on nothing but colors and lines. It’s peaceful, a little nostalgic, and honestly, kind of therapeutic.
But here’s what most people don’t realize — that little childhood habit can actually make you some good money. Yep, many people make a full-time income doing various stuffs related to coloring and you can too. Some create and sell coloring books, some make relaxing coloring videos, and others freelance as professional colorists.
So if you’ve ever wished to make money doing something simple, fun and relaxing, then this post is for you! Because coloring isn’t just a hobby anymore, it’s a great way to earn real income doing something that brings you joy. Here are 16 different ways you can get paid to color.
1. Sell Your Own Coloring Books on Amazon KDP
This is probably the most popular way people get paid to color. Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) lets you design and sell your own coloring books without ever touching inventory.
You can create books for adults, kids, or even niche audiences — like “Mindful Mandalas” or “Funny Animal Coloring for Toddlers.” Once you upload your designs, Amazon prints and ships each copy when someone buys it. You just sit back and earn royalties.
A lot of people use Canva, Creative Fabrica, or Midjourney to design coloring pages — even if they’re not artists. The real magic is in finding a niche and creating something people want to color.
2. Create & Sell Coloring Pages on Etsy
Etsy is full of people selling printable coloring pages. You make a digital file (PDF or PNG), upload it, and buyers download and print it themselves. No shipping, no stress.
What’s great about Etsy is how fast it can grow if your designs catch attention. Cute animal doodles, inspirational quotes, intricate patterns — there’s a market for all of it. Some sellers earn a few hundred dollars a month just from one popular listing.
The trick? Offer value packs like “50 Relaxing Mandala Pages” instead of single sheets. People love bundles.
3. Offer Coloring Book Illustration Services
If you love coloring but you’re more of an artist, you can actually get paid to color for other people’s books. Many authors on Fiverr, Upwork, or even in Facebook groups hire freelancers to create or color illustrations for them.
You don’t need to be a full-time artist either. If you’ve got an iPad and Procreate, or even traditional pencils and a scanner, you can turn your art into a portfolio and start getting commissions.
Freelancers can charge anywhere from $30 to $300 per page, depending on the complexity and style.
4. Start a Coloring YouTube Channel
This is one of my favorite ideas. People love watching others color — it’s relaxing, satisfying, and oddly therapeutic. You could film yourself coloring mandalas, using different tools, or creating time-lapse art pieces.
Once your channel grows, you can monetize it with ads, sponsorships, or even affiliate links for coloring supplies.
If you’re consistent, this can turn into a full-on passive income stream. Just make sure to use good lighting and calming background music — people come for the vibes as much as the art.
5. Design Coloring Apps or Games
If you’re into digital tools, this one’s super fun. Coloring apps like “Happy Color” or “Colorfy” make millions — but you don’t need a big studio to start. You can create small coloring apps or games using platforms like Unity or Appy Pie.
Monetize with ads or in-app purchases, and boom — you’ve built your own digital coloring business. You can even collaborate with developers if you’re more of a creative than a coder.
Nowadays, you don’t even need to write a single line of code to create simple apps. All you need is an idea that has potential, then you can use AI tools to bring your idea into life.
6. Sell Coloring Prints on Print-on-Demand Sites
Here’s a hands-off way to earn: upload your coloring art to print-on-demand platforms like Redbubble, Society6, or Zazzle.
Your designs can go on t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, or posters — all featuring your coloring-style artwork. You create the art once, and the platform prints and ships it whenever someone buys.
Think about creating “color-your-own” products, too — like t-shirts with blank outlines people can fill in with fabric markers. It’s unique and fun.
7. Make a Coloring Membership or Patreon
If you’ve built a small audience, you can create a subscription model where fans pay you monthly for exclusive coloring pages or tutorials.
Sites like Patreon or Ko-fi make this super easy. Offer special rewards like “members-only coloring packs,” behind-the-scenes videos, or early access to new books.
This model works best if you already share your coloring work online — maybe on Instagram or YouTube and want to give your fans something extra.
8. Create a Coloring Blog or Website
Yes, blogging still works — especially if you love writing and coloring. You could create a site where you post coloring tips, supply reviews, and printable pages.
Once you get traffic, you can earn money through ads (like Google AdSense), affiliate links (for pencils, markers, etc.), and your own products.
People underestimate how niche communities like coloring can turn into loyal audiences. If you write with passion, you’ll find your tribe.
9. Offer Coloring Workshops (Online or Locally)
If you enjoy teaching, this one’s for you. You can host coloring workshops — either online via Zoom or in person at local libraries, cafes, or community centers.
Adults love mindful activities, and kids always enjoy coloring sessions. Charge per ticket or offer private group sessions.
It’s a great way to combine creativity, connection, and income — especially if you love helping others relax and express themselves.
10. Create Coloring Books for Kids’ Parties or Events
Parents are always looking for fun, quiet activities for birthday parties. You can design custom coloring pages with the birthday kid’s name, cartoon characters, or themes like “Princess Party” or “Dinosaur Adventure.”
Print them as little booklets or sell them as digital downloads. You can even partner with local party planners or Etsy sellers to scale it up.
It’s simple, creative, and very profitable during festive seasons.
11. Work as a Coloring Assistant for Artists or Studios
Yep, it’s a real job. Some illustrators and comic book artists hire colorists to bring their line art to life.
If you’re good at understanding shading, palettes, and tones, you could find gigs on Upwork, Behance, or art communities like DeviantArt.
Professionals in comic coloring can earn $20–$50 per page — or more if you build a solid reputation.
12. Sell Custom Coloring Portraits
This is such a fun idea — create coloring-style portraits of people’s pets, families, or favorite characters.
You can list them on Etsy, Instagram, or TikTok. Clients send photos, and you turn them into line art that they can color in.
It’s personal, creative, and surprisingly in demand. People love gifting personalized coloring pages for birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries.
13. Join Coloring Contests
While not a consistent income stream, coloring competitions can actually pay pretty well. Many brands, art supply companies, and online communities host contests with cash prizes, gift cards, or art kits.
It’s also a great way to get your work seen by others and build your reputation as a colorist. Keep an eye on social media groups or websites like ArtStation or DeviantArt.
14. Create Digital Coloring Courses
If you’ve mastered coloring techniques — like blending, shading, or digital coloring with Procreate — you can turn that knowledge into a course.
Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and Gumroad make it super easy to upload tutorials and get paid when people enroll.
Start small. Even a short “Beginner’s Guide to Digital Coloring” can attract hundreds of students if it’s well made.
15. License Your Coloring Art
Once you’ve built a library of original artwork, you can license it to companies that produce coloring books, greeting cards, or even fabric patterns.
Licensing basically means you get paid for the rights to use your art — sometimes as a one-time payment, sometimes as ongoing royalties.
If you’re serious about art, this can turn into a steady passive income stream.
16. Create Coloring ASMR Videos
Yes, ASMR coloring is a thing — and it’s oddly addictive. Viewers love the sound of markers, pencils, and paper scratching.
You can film close-up coloring sessions with gentle sounds and relaxing visuals, then upload them to YouTube or TikTok.
ASMR channels often grow fast because they tap into both the relaxation and art-loving communities. Once you get views, the ad revenue follows.
Final Thoughts
Coloring isn’t just a childhood hobby anymore. It’s become this really cool creative space where people express themselves and earn money doing it.
You don’t need to be the next Picasso to get paid to color. You just need a mix of creativity, consistency, and curiosity to try new things.
Start small. Maybe list a few pages on Etsy, upload a time-lapse video, or join a coloring challenge. You’ll learn, grow, and find your lane as you go.
And honestly? Getting paid to do something that relaxes you — that’s kind of the dream, isn’t it?
FAQs
Q: Do I need to be good at drawing to make money coloring?
Not at all. Many opportunities, like selling pre-made coloring pages or using AI tools for line art, don’t require professional art skills. Creativity matters more than perfection.
Q: How much can I make selling coloring books or pages?
It depends on your niche and marketing. Some Etsy sellers make $100/month, while top Amazon KDP coloring book creators earn thousands.
Q: What tools do I need to start?
Basic ones: a tablet with Procreate, or just pen and paper plus a scanner. For digital sales, you’ll need Canva, Creative Fabrica, or even ChatGPT to help with descriptions and ideas.
Q: Can kids or teens get paid to color too?
Yes! They can open parent-managed Etsy shops, join art contests, or even create YouTube coloring videos for fun (with supervision).
Q: What’s the easiest way to start?
Selling printable coloring pages on Etsy. It’s low-cost, beginner-friendly, and you can start today.
If you love coloring, lean into it. It’s not silly, it’s not childish — it’s creativity at its purest. And now, you’ve got 16 real ways to turn that joy into income.
So grab your markers. Your next “just for fun” doodle might be the start of something that actually pays.
