Hey all! Today I’m going to share something super exciting with you — how to make money by coloring. Sounds wild, right? But trust me, it’s real, and it’s growing fast.
As someone who is creative at heart, loves cozy hobbies and is indulged in creative self-care, I know how fulfilling coloring can be. Its like a paradise for those creative souls. But wait, what if I told you it could also be your next income stream??
Whether you’re just starting your digital side hustle journey, looking for hobbies that make money, or simply dreaming of ways to make money from home—this one is for you. Let’s dive in.
Can You Actually Make Money Coloring?
Yes, you really can! The idea of turning your love for coloring into cash might seem too good to be true—but thousands of creators are doing it right now.
From selling digital coloring books to freelancing as an illustrator or even getting paid to review coloring pages, there are real ways to get paid to draw, get paid to color, and yes—get paid for coloring in your free time.
And guess what? You don’t even have to be a professional artist. You just need creativity, some patience, and a little consistency.
Option 1: Sell Your Own Coloring Books
One of the most popular ways to make money with coloring books is by creating and selling them online. If you love designing or even curating themes (like affirmations, cute girls, or cozy home scenes), this is gold. I have been making coloring books on kdp for sometime and making consistent income from it. I have made some bold and easy coloring books and some cute and cozy coloring books for stress relief. Its a hobby for me which I have turned into a side hustle. And I am loving everybit of it. The best part about making coloring books is that you have to work one time on a coloring book then you earn consistent passive income in terms of royalty which is really so awesome. You can check out my coloring book website here and I also share coloring videos and free printables for coloring on my coloring page social media’s such a Instagram, Youtube and Pinterest. This is one of my favorite side hustle to earn income online and is one of my passions.
So if this sounds intersting to you then next on your cards should be to learn about how to make money selling coloring books on different platforms such as:
- Amazon KDP
- Etsy
- Gumroad or Payhip
- Your own blog or shop
No, you don’t need to be a professional artist. You can hire illustrators or even use AI tools (like ChatGPT + image generators) to create print-ready pages. Then, upload and sell them!
This is one of the most passive ways to make money from home and one of my favorite creative income streams.
Option 2: Become a Freelance Illustrator
If you’re more hands-on and want to actually draw or color for others, freelance is your playground.
Platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and even Instagram are full of clients looking to buy custom illustrations. From kids’ books to marketing art, this is your chance to get paid to draw and get paid for coloring.
Here’s a fun twist: even coloring enthusiasts who use Procreate or digital pens can land these gigs.
Bonus tip: You can offer custom name-based coloring pages (kids LOVE these), or niche themes like “dog breeds”, “career girls”, or “cute animals in pajamas”!
Option 3: Create Printables for Pinterest & Teachers
Don’t sleep on printables! Coloring sheets are always in demand—especially around holidays, classroom activities, and self-care routines.
You can create coloring pages for:
- Teachers (on TPT)
- Parents (for birthday parties)
- Therapists (for mindfulness and calm)
- Bloggers (offering free downloads)
These can be uploaded as free printables or sold as part of themed bundles. It’s a beautiful way to make money online while still being creative.
Option 4: Combine Blogging + Coloring Books
If you’re the storytelling type, this is for you. Start a blog about coloring and creativity.
You can write blog posts about:
- Mindful coloring for stress relief
- How to start selling your art
- Easy digital tools for creating coloring books
- Free downloads and themed activities
You’ll build a loyal audience that loves your aesthetic. Once you grow your traffic, you can monetize through income from blog techniques like:
- Affiliate links (to coloring tools, journals, etc.)
- Selling your coloring pages
- Sponsored posts
It’s a smart way to make a website to make money, and eventually produce money passively through digital sales.
Option 5: Sell Coloring-Themed Merch (Without Holding Inventory)
If you love designing (or even repurposing your coloring pages), try print-on-demand platforms like:
- Redbubble
- TeeSpring
- Zazzle
- Printful (linked to your Shopify or Etsy store)
You can upload your drawings or coloring book art and turn them into:
- T-shirts
- Tote bags
- Mugs
- Journals
- Wall prints
This way, you’re not just making money coloring, you’re building a fun little product line that sells while you sleep!
And the best part? You don’t have to worry about inventory or shipping, it’s all handled for you. That’s the beauty of make money online fast and free models like this.
Option 6: Start a YouTube Channel or Reels Series About Coloring
If you’re not camera shy, this one’s a gem. People LOVE to watch time-lapse videos of coloring—especially relaxing, cozy, aesthetic ones. You could:
- Share your coloring process
- Review coloring books
- Talk about your favorite markers or coloring tools
- Share tutorials on how to draw, shade and blend
You could turn your hobby into content and start building an audience. Try to add affiliate links, link to your shop etc where ever you can. This will boost your income.
Also, Pinterest LOVES coloring content. A short video or step-by-step carousel can go viral quickly, driving traffic back to your blog or shop.
Option 7: Use Affiliate Marketing to Boost Your Income
Once you start building a community—whether it’s through a blog, Instagram, YouTube, or Pinterest—you can share affiliate links for:
- Coloring books
- Markers, gel pens, pencils
- Journals or sketchbooks
- iPad Pro + Procreate app
Every time someone buys through your link, you earn a small commission. Over time, it really adds up.
It’s one of the smartest ways to make money fast online without being salesy. You’re just sharing what you genuinely love—and getting rewarded for it.
Try signing up for Amazon Associates or other coloring-related affiliate programs!
Option 8: Offer Workshops or Tutorials
This is for those of you who enjoy teaching or guiding others.
You can host mini coloring workshops on:
- Zoom
- Skillshare
- Teachable
- Even as paid Canva or Notion downloads
People love mindful hobbies that offer calm, especially in today’s fast-paced world. If you’re good at calming others with your art, you have a market.
So many moms, teachers, therapists, and busy professionals are seeking peaceful creative breaks. That’s where YOU come in.
Why Coloring Is a High-Income Skill (Yep, Really!)
It’s easy to overlook it, but coloring falls under digital design, printable creation, and publishing—which are all considered high income skills when done strategically.
You don’t need to invest tons of money or go viral overnight. Instead, you just need to be consistent and clear about your niche.
So, whether you’re focused on creating cozy affirmations, nostalgic themes, or cute character sets—you’re building a brand that brings joy and income.
Final Thoughts: Is Coloring a Crazy-Easy Side Hustle?
Yes, it totally is. Whether you’re drawing digitally, curating niche pages, or writing about coloring, this is one of those Crazy-Easy Side Hustles You Can Do from Your Laptop with a warm cup of tea and a cozy playlist.
And the best part? You’re doing something you actually love.
So if you’ve ever wanted to turn your cozy hobby into a creative biz, now’s the time to start.
Leave a Reply