Love Coloring? Here are 3 options to always have an ample supply of coloring pages.

Adult coloring books and coloring pages have become increasingly popular in recent years. Coloring is a great way to relax and unwind as well as enjoy a simple art activity that does not require any special skills so anyone with various levels of artistic abilities can do it. If you’re interested in coloring pages, here are a few options you can choose from to never run out of coloring pages.

Option 1 – Purchase Published Coloring Books

The first option is pretty obvious and if you are reading this you must have already purchased or thinking of purchasing a coloring book. There are different types of adult coloring books currently available on the market. There are coloring pages of Florals, Animals and other Nature made objects or City Landscapes, people scenes, fashion, recent movie or animated film characters, and other man-made objects. There are also coloring books that cover a wide range of abstract designs such as geometric patterns and mandalas. Usually, abstract geometric coloring patterns would cover the entire page whereas mandalas would have a particular shape, where design elements of the pattern would be enclosed inside that shape. Circle or square mandalas are very popular designs.

There are several Pros and Cons to consider when purchasing coloring books.

Paper Quality
Usually, high-quality store-bought coloring books are printed on a specific type of paper. The paper is usually a higher weight and thickness than, for example, regular printer paper, has a smoother surface, and is created to last i.e acid-free paper.
Single side vs. double side print
Some coloring books would have coloring patterns printed on a single side of the page whereas some other coloring books would have patterns printed on both sides. Single side printed patterns allow coloring with markers and pens that may bleed through the paper. Permanent alcohol-based markers are usually the ones to produce nice bright colors however they may bleed through the paper. If the patterns in the book are printed on both sides this may create a problem. The pattern on the other side of the page would be pretty much ruined unless you color with non-bleeding coloring pens or markers. Coloring pens that are water-based may be more suitable for double-sided coloring books. Water-based coloring pens are also good for blending colors which is something you may, or may not want with abstract coloring designs.
Single Copy of a pattern
Usually, store-bought coloring books would only have a single copy of a pattern. If you like a particular pattern and would like to try coloring it differently you need to purchase several copies of the book.
Coloring Samples
With store-bought coloring books, you’re usually left to your own devices when choosing how to color a coloring page. For some of us who are inexperienced with color, it could be as hard as drawing itself. And when you have just one copy of a pattern and don’t want to screw it up it could be a bit scary. Some coloring pages artist provide coloring designs on their websites or social media so if you need some coloring ideas, look up the author of the coloring book and see if they’ve provided coloring examples for their books.

Check out Coloring Books on Amazon

Option 2 – Download and Print Digital Coloring Pages

Alternative to the store-bought coloring books you can Download Printable Coloring Pages off of the Internet. There are plenty to choose from so here are a few Pros and Cons of Downloaded Printable Coloring Pages

Unlimited Copies
You can print as many copies as you like. There is a large variety of Printable Coloring Pages to choose from, free and paid you can find on the internet.
Control Over Paper Quality
It’s also a very cost-effective option. High-quality paper for printing your coloring pages is relatively inexpensive. For example, you can purchase a pack of 250 pages at 110#text/199GSM under $20USD. Check out our Paper Recommendations Guide for printable coloring pages.
Complexity vs. Simplicity
Depending on your experience and preference you can find patterns, with small or large details, easy or more intricate. With the wide variety available you most likely can find the designs suitable to your preference.
Resolution and Image Size Recommendation for Printable Coloring Pages
Look for High-Resolution Printable Coloring Pages in PDF or PNG format. Downloadable coloring pages in PDF format will usually have a higher resolution. This will ensure a sharp and clear print. If you download coloring pages in image format, JPG, or PNG, ensure that the image size and resolution is at least 2000 x 1500 pixels for a standard US Letter size page (8.5 x 11 inches). The higher the image size the better quality print it will produce.

Option 3 – Create Your Own Coloring Pages

Another alternative to store-bought coloring pages is to create your own coloring pages and patterns. If you are not an artist, creating your own coloring page may seem like a daunting task but it doesn’t have to be. It’s actually very easy when it comes to abstract patterns. You can create coloring patterns by using simple lines, basic geometric shapes, combinations of shapes and lines. You can use a variety of tools to help you in the design process. Graph and grid pages, various geometric shapes, templates, rulers, protractors, and other tools. You can draw inspiration from the world around you, simple objects, symbols, and existing patterns. Just start looking around you and noticing simple shapes and patterns. Start with simple basic designs and see where your creativity takes you.

DIY Coloring Pages Styles Techniques, Methods, Brands, and Authors

These are the styles of Do It Yourself coloring pages that teach methods and techniques for creating your own patterns.

Zentangle by Rick and Maria
- The Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. It was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. “Zentangle” is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com.
- Black Pens, Shading. People who practice may create colored versions
Zenspirations: Letters & Patterning books and classes by Joanne Fink
- Black and Coloring pens, patterns, and lettering
Creative Doodling and Beyond book by Stephanie Corfee
Zen Doodle book series by Carolyn Scrace
Explore & Draw Patterns Activity Book by Owen Davey
- This entertaining drawing book will encourage you to look for, learn about, design, and, most importantly, draw a variety of fascinating, colorful, and stunning patterns. It’s jam-packed with cool activities, such as sketching an abstract pattern with your toes and designing a mystical mandala, as well as producing the most beautiful pattern you can think of. This entertaining sketching book will encourage you to look for, learn about, develop, and most importantly, draw.

Here at Geomegic, we are all about DIY (Design It Yourself) Coloring Pages.

Advantages to creating your own coloring pages.

Total Control over the design process
You have total control over how complex or simple your pattern design is. You can create unlimited coloring pages and try out multiple coloring designs and combinations of the single pattern. You can create a page filler of mandala-type coloring patterns. You can play with various designs and enjoy a simple yet rewarding creative process. You can learn and grow as you progress. You are in total control of the design process. You can create coloring patterns exactly as you like them. You can publish your own coloring books. Create designs for printing on a t-shirt and for home decors like fabric for curtains and pillows. The possibilities are truly endless.
Control over the paper quality
Create your designs on a high-quality, thick paper or thin card stock with a smooth surface, acid-free, and suitable for coloring. Check out our Paper & Tools Recommendations Guide.
Develop your Creativity
Makes you draw, be creative, think artistically and learn new creative skills and techniques

How to create your own coloring page in 3 easy steps.

Step 1 – Print out the Grid Page
We recommend using a geometric grid or a graph page to facilitate your design process. You can download a few types and sizes of printable geometric grid pages in our download section. Alternatively, you can use a regular quad graph paper or a bullet journal page to design simple square-based patterns. Please check out this page where we talk about geometric pattern design principles just so you have an idea of how to go about designing your own patterns.
Quick Tip: Use high quality printer paper suitable for coloring pages. Use a thick paper or thin card stock, learn more at our Paper Recommendations Guide.
Step 2 – Design the Pattern
Please visit our DIY patterns selection and see a few designs with step-by-step drawing instructions. Our designs are inspired by the world around us. You can look around and try designing a pattern based on pretty much anything. Literally, anything can be a pattern design inspiration, for example, one of our latest patterns is based on elevator call buttons. Read about our design ideas and what inspired our patterns on each pattern page and on our Instagram feed where we post the patterns and inspiration and design process behind it.
Step 3 – Color your Pattern
When choosing colors for your coloring designs we recommend starting with your favorite colors. Color is energy. If you like or are drawn to a particular color it’s not an accident. Each color represents certain energy and is connected to certain areas of our physical body such as the endocrine system, energy centers or chakras, our emotions, and our mental states. That is why coloring is so therapeutic. That’s why we love it so much. Pick just 2 or 3 of your favorite colors and you can create a beautiful coloring design that is not only as unique as you but also beneficial to you.
Quick Tip: Invest in high quality coloring markers. Go to an art supply store in your area that sells markers by the piece. Try all of them. Choose the colors that you like and buy them all. Just having all these beautiful colors at your disposal is already an inspiration. Check out this page where we talk about various marker types.