How to Make a Color by Number Book

Color-by-number adds a puzzle layer to coloring, which makes it a distinct, lower-competition niche. It takes a little more setup than a plain coloring book.

What is different

Each region of the artwork carries a small number, and a color key maps numbers to colors. The extra value (and the extra work) is in clean numbering and a clear, consistent key across the book.

Step by step

  1. Design the line art. Create images divided into clear regions large enough to hold a small number and be colored comfortably.
  2. Number the regions. Assign numbers to regions and keep the color-to-number mapping consistent across every page in the book.
  3. Add a color key. Include a legend mapping each number to a color, ideally on or near each page or on a reference page.
  4. Format and publish. Reach at least 24 total pages, add a cover that shows the finished colored result, and publish to KDP.

Make your book in minutes

Describe your idea and get a finished, illustrated book — no illustrator, no waiting.

Generate line art free

Frequently asked questions

Is color by number a good KDP niche?

It is a distinct, lower-competition format than plain coloring books because of the added puzzle element — but it requires clean numbering and a consistent color key.