Creating a custom colouring book is a popular activity for personal use, family projects, and small-scale commercial ventures. The process involves selecting or creating suitable line art, preparing the images for printing, designing a cover, and assembling the pages into a cohesive book. This guide outlines the steps based on methods and tools available through free online resources and software, focusing on practical techniques for UK-based creators.
Getting Started: Two Primary Approaches
Two main methods exist for initiating a colouring book project, each suited to different organisational styles and source material. The first method is ideal for those with a clear vision and a pre-existing collection of pages. This involves visiting a dedicated book creation page, providing a custom name for the book, and selecting from an organised view of all existing colouring pages. This approach is particularly effective for planning a themed book, organising multiple pages at once, starting with a clear vision, and using personal creations.
The second method is more spontaneous and discovery-based. It involves browsing a personal collection or a public gallery and clicking an "Add to Book" button that appears on the preview of a page. This allows for the creation of a new book on the spot. This method is perfect for discovering pages as you go, using pages from a public gallery, engaging in spontaneous book creation, and building books organically. A practical tip is to use the first method for organising personal creations and the second for discovering and adding pages from a public gallery to your books.
Once a book has been created, it can be accessed at any time from a central collection page, which serves as the hub for managing all colouring books. Within this management system, users can view, edit, and manage their books, with features allowing for the customisation of a book's title and the addition of a description for better organisation.
Converting Images and Photos into Colouring Pages
The core of a colouring book is its line art. There are different techniques for converting existing images or photos into suitable colouring pages, depending on the source material's complexity.
For Simple Images and Vector Drawings
For simple cartoon characters or vector drawings, a free online photo editor such as BeFunky or Fotor is suitable. The process is straightforward: 1. Find a Copyright-Free Image: For personal use, any drawing or image can be selected. For creating a book to sell, images must be sourced from stock websites or created from scratch to avoid copyright infringement. 2. Import the Image: Use the chosen photo editor to import the image file. 3. Remove All Colours: Adjust the exposure by maximising contrast, brightness, shadows, and highlights. Alternatively, apply a black and white filter from the B&W filters/presets tab or use colour settings to remove all colours. 4. Export the Image: The finished image can be saved in PDF format for printing. Some services, like ColorBliss, allow users to upload the custom pages for professional printing, eliminating the need to handle printing themselves.
For Photographs
Converting photographs into colouring pages is more complex due to shadows, half-tones, and light patterns. A more advanced editor with a Layers function, such as Pixlr Editor or GIMP, is recommended. The process involves: 1. Choosing a Photo: Start with simpler shots featuring a solid background or a strong contrast between the main subject and the background. 2. Uploading to the Editor: Use an editor that offers tools for painting, retouching, and colour correction. An online Photoshop editor is one free, browser-based option. 3. Duplicating a Layer: In the Layers window, duplicate the image layer to preserve the original. 4. Making the Photo Black and White: Use the "Black & White" adjustment (e.g., via Image > Adjustments > Black & White) to remove colour. 5. Inverting the New Layer: Turn the duplicated layer into a negative of the original photo using the "Inverted" adjustment (e.g., Image - Adjustment - Inverted). 6. Adjusting the Filter: The inverted layer will appear strange but can be adjusted to create the desired line art effect.
For creating a book file, free tools like Canva are recommended. Users can create a book, import their edited images (downloaded as .JPG or .SVG files), and populate the colouring book file. Canva can also be used to create a cover directly within the platform. Alternatively, a design program like Adobe InDesign can be used for a more professional layout.
Designing and Assembling the Colouring Book
Selecting Size and Material
The most popular size for a colouring book is 8.5x11 inches (approximately A4), as it is a convenient size that does not require large-format printers. The choice of paper is critical to ensure a good colouring experience; the paper should be thick enough to prevent colours from showing through. It is advisable to conduct a self-test by purchasing several types of paper and trying them with different colouring mediums like pencils, markers, and paints. A good starting point is 200gsm matte paper, with the option to increase the paper density if needed.
Creating the Cover
An attractive cover is essential. Current trends favour minimalism, with covers that are mysterious and lack excessive detail. A single-colour cover can be more effective than one with a mixture of tones. The cover should be designed to match the book's theme—for example, a knight-themed book should feature relevant imagery. The cover paper should be several times denser than the internal pages to withstand damage and transportation.
Adding Extra Elements
To make a colouring book more engaging, especially for children, creators can add extra elements to the pages. These can include writing prompts (e.g., "Describe your dream beach day" next to a beach scene) to blend art with early writing practice. Pairing pages with seasonal activities, such as colouring a snowman page while drinking hot cocoa, can enhance the experience. Challenge pages, like "Find all 5 pumpkins" or "Colour this page using green and blue," can keep children entertained for longer and provide a sense of accomplishment upon completion.
Conclusion
Creating a custom colouring book is an accessible and enjoyable process, whether for personal use, family activities, or as a small business venture. The key steps involve selecting appropriate images or photos, converting them into line art using free online tools, choosing the right paper size and material, and designing an attractive cover. By following the methods outlined—from using simple photo editors for basic images to more advanced software for photographs—anyone can produce a professional-quality colouring book. Adding creative elements like prompts and challenges can further enhance the final product, making it a valuable and engaging resource.