How Teenagers Are Making $40–$100/Day Selling AI-Generated Coloring Books (Using Only ChatGPT + Canva)

Hold Up, Teens Are Getting Paid Selling Coloring Books?

Hold up, wait a minute. You're telling me teens are out here making $40–$100 a day selling coloring books? Like, the same ones we used to get psyched about at kindergarten? Yeah, but there's a catch — these aren't your run-of-the-mill, crayon-covered, Barbie-and-Spiderman books. These are coloring books created by AI, and they're turning into a lowkey goldmine for teens that can figure out how to use ChatGPT and Canva.

And the most wonderful part of it all? You don't have to be creative, a computer geek, or even have any initial money. Literally, just your laptop or phone, some creativity, and some hustle energy.

If you're short on money, bored, or want an outlet in which to flex some passive income muscle without putting your face on the internet, this is your call to action. So let's get started.

TL;DR: The Coloring Book Hustle in Bullet Points

  • Teenagers are earning $40–$100 daily creating and selling coloring books designed by AI.

  • You will need only the ChatGPT, Canva (free), and Leonardo AI optionally to create them.

  • Primarily, the books are marketed on KDP (Amazon), Etsy, or Gumroad.

  • Step-by-step procedure: Select a niche ➔ Get inspiration from ChatGPT ➔ Make a work of art with AI ➔ Design in Canva ➔ Export PDF ➔ Sell.

  • Niches like mandalas, animals, affirmations, and seasonal books are popping off.

  • You scale by producing more books, building your brand on TikTok and Pinterest, and offering bundles.

  • This is a 100% face-free hustle that's newbie-friendly and ultra low-budget.

  • Actual (phony) teen example: Aanya, 16, made $700 in 30 days just by selling cute animal coloring books.

What Even Is This Hustle

Let's break it down.

AI-generated coloring books = coloring books generated using AI programs like ChatGPT and image generators (e.g., Leonardo AI or DALL•E). No drawing required. Simply need to:

  • Select a subject (e.g., cats, dinosaurs, affirmations, seasonal material)

  • Get ChatGPT to spit out creative page ideas

  • Use AI art programs to generate basic, black-and-white line drawings (also referred to as coloring pages)

  • Design the book (cover + inner pages) in Canva

  • Resell it on platforms where people buy coloring books, i.e., Amazon KDP, Etsy, or Gumroad

The best part? Once you put the book up, it's passive income. You can even get paid while you sleep, scroll through TikTok, or stream Netflix.

Gadgets You'll Require for This Hustle

Here's your starter kit:

  • ChatGPT: Your idea generator. It assists you in brainstorming niche subjects, page prompts, and even headlines.

  • Canva (Free): This is where you design the covers and format your book pages. Canva is free and teen-proof literally.

  • Leonardo AI / Midjourney (Optional): For creating black-and-white line art. Leonardo AI is free to use and easy to access for beginners.

  • Amazon KDP / Etsy / Gumroad: Where you sell your books. KDP is great for print-on-demand (so you never stock). Etsy and Gumroad are great for digital downloads.

  • Pinterest / TikTok: Your marketing BFFs. Free platforms to get your coloring books trending.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make AI-Generated Coloring Books like a Pro

1. Select Your Niche (Don't Skip This)

This is where most individuals go wrong. Niching down is essential. Below are some trending niches teenagers are succeeding with:

  • Cute animals

  • Mandalas and designs

  • Inspirational quotes and affirmations

  • Holiday themes (Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day)

  • Mindfulness and self-help books

  • Interests (flowers, sports, automobiles)

  • Memes funny or Gen Z humorous

Step 2: Create Page Concepts using ChatGPT

You actually can have ChatGPT establish the tone of your book. Tell it:

  • "Give me 30 teen mindfulness coloring book ideas for creative coloring pages."

  • "Suggest 20 animal scenes that could be excellent coloring pages for kids."

  • "Design 50 affirmations of self-love for a coloring book."

ChatGPT will give you the full list. Copy-paste, and you're halfway there.

Step 3: Create Line Art with Leonardo AI or Similar Software

Use Leonardo AI, DALL•E, or Midjourney to create the actual coloring pages.

Your prompt should be similar to:

Black and white line drawing of a sweet baby panda under a bamboo tree, for a coloring book.

Pro Tips:

  • Make sure that the images are black and white with clear outlines (line art style)

  • Ask for simplicity (don't want crazy details that are difficult to color)

  • Compose at least 20–30 pages for a fairly good-sized book

Step 4: Design Your Book in Canva

After having your coloring pages, upload them into Canva.

  • Put them in order (don't forget to add a title page and perhaps a "This book belongs to:" page)

  • Make a cute, illustrative cover (Canva has a template for this)

  • Export your book as PDF (to print) or PDF (to download digitally)

Step 5: Put It Up for Sale Online

That is where the magic happens. 

  • Amazon KDP: Publish your PDF, choose your price, and Amazon will print and distribute it for you. You receive only royalties.

  • Etsy: Offer as a digital download. They print it themselves.

  • Gumroad: Very easy to sell PDFs. No setup fees.

Put your book out, include a decent description, insert your price, and you're in the game.

Sample ChatGPT Prompt

Here is a ready-made prompt you can copy:

"Create 30 original coloring page concepts for a calming and comforting teenage winter-themed coloring book. Each concept should have a particular scene or object to color, and there may be some with inspirational quotes included."

ChatGPT will literally hand you the blueprint.

Hottest Coloring Book Trends That Are Selling Like Crazy

  • Cute animals (pandas, cats, frogs, call them whatever)

  • Mandalas and geometric patterns

  • Seasonal themes (Christmas, Halloween, Summer Vibes)

  • Positive affirmations and self-love pages

  • Funny meme-type pages

  • Mindfulness coloring books and stress-relief

  • K-pop or anime-inspired designs (be careful about copyrights though)

  • Interests (automobiles, gardening, fashion) -

  • Young adult visual books (think about cottagecore, dark academia, etc.)

  • Astrology-coloring books and zodiac signs

Pricing, Profits, and How to Scale

How Much Should You Charge?

  • On Amazon KDP: Most coloring books cost between $6.99 and $9.99. You earn royalties (around $2–$4 per book depending on page count).

  • On Etsy/Gumroad: Online coloring books usually range from $3–10 per download.

Realistic Teen Earnings

Let's keep it honest.

  • 4–5 books a day at $2 profit per book = That is $8–10 a day.

  • While others are not so readily earning $40–$100 a day, writing multiple books, pushing them hard, and profiting from trending niches.

How to Scale This

  • Keep publishing more books in different niches

  • Offer bundle packages (3 books for $15, for example)

  • Establish your Pinterest and TikTok platforms to generate book sales

  • Add upsells like printable bookmarks, coloring calendars, etc.

Success Story: Aanya, 16, Coloring Book Queen

Aanya is 16, very enthusiastic about animals and beauty journaling, and started this company with no design background.

She made her first coloring book in a weekend – "Cozy Cats Coloring Book for Teens."

Uploaded it to both Amazon KDP and Etsy.

Did some promo on TikTok and Pinterest, nothing wild.

After 30 days, she brought in $700 in sales.

Now? She owns a mini coloring book empire in the making, publishing seasonal books every month, and earning consistent $40–$100 a day in passive sales.

Is she rich? Nah. But is she saving her pocket money? Absolutely.

Best Websites to Self-Publish Your AI Coloring Books

  • Amazon KDP: Suitable for print-on-demand, massive readership.

  • Etsy: Better for digital coloring books, ideal for trending niches.

  • Gumroad: Easiest platform to begin with, ideal for digital downloads and bundles.

Pro Tip: You can sell the same book through each of the three channels to earn the most money.

How to sell your coloring books (Without breaking the bank)

Pinterest

  • Create beautiful pins via Canva using your book covers and sample pages.

  • Create content regularly and use SEO-optimised titles like "Cute Cat Coloring Pages PDF".

TikTok

  • Show your covers, flip through the pages, or make engaging videos of individuals coloring.

  • Use trending sounds and hashtags like #ColoringBook, #PassiveIncomeForTeens, #AestheticColoring.

Reddit

  • Post on subreddits like r/PrintOnDemand, r/EntrepreneurRideAlong, or r/PassiveIncome.

  • Don't spam. Share your process, advice, and links in a nice, helpful way.

Additional Tips to Make Your Books Stand Out

  • Positive affirmations daily on each page (good vibes make people happy)

  • Design cute, scroll-stopping covers (use Canva templates)

  • Offer packages or topical bundles (e.g., "Holiday Pack")

  • Add other treats like printable bookmarks or journaling pages

  • Teen-friendly looks (softer, warmer, dreamier feels are what come to mind)

Motivational Pep Talk: Why You Must Begin Now

The thing is, you don't have to wait until you are "ready." You simply need to start.

Teenagers all over the world are making real money doing this with zero start-up cost and virtually no experience whatsoever. Coloring books will never go out of fashion. You can do it from your phone. You can do it from your bed. You can stack passive income literally while jammin' to music or scrolling on TikTok.

No excuses. Start small. Start today. Even if your first book flops, your second or third may blow away.

Your future self will thank you.

Final TL;DR: Key Takeaways

  • Adolescents are earning $40–100/day selling coloring books created with AI online.

  • All you need is ChatGPT, Canva, and the other AI painting software like Leonardo AI.

  • Sell your books on Amazon KDP, Etsy, and Gumroad in print or digital format.

  • Trending hot niches: Adorable pets, mandalas, affirmations, holiday themes.

  • Market your books for free on Pinterest, TikTok, and Reddit.

  • Include affirmations, adorable covers, and bonus printable treats to differentiate. 

  • It is a fun, face-less, low-cost side business that truly generates passive income in the long term. Let's take the bag.

Thank You