To print a coloring book, open the PDF, choose single-sided, turn on Fit or Scale to fit so the whole page lands on letter paper, and print the cover in color and the rest in black and white. Staple the pages on the left edge, or take the file to a copy shop for coil binding. For a book that looks store-bought, order a paperback copy from a print-on-demand service such as Amazon KDP or Lulu.
This guide compares the three ways to print, lists the prices print shops publish online (Last verified: October 29, 2026), and gives the printer settings that stop pages from being cropped. Prices change and vary by store, so treat them as a starting point.
Illustration of a stapled home-printed booklet.
Which way to print: a quick comparison
| Option | Typical cost (as listed) | Binding | Ready in | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home printer | Your paper and ink | Stapler, hole punch and ribbon, or a folder | Minutes | One copy, tonight |
| Staples | B&W from 32–34¢ a page; booklets from $1.70 per 8 pages | Booklet (saddle stitch), coil, comb, staples | Same day if ordered by 12 pm | A neat bound gift, same day |
| FedEx Office | Self-service B&W 23¢ a page at one store; online price shown after upload | Coil, comb, stapled | Same day for most orders by noon (CST) | Coil-bound books that lie flat |
| Office Depot / OfficeMax | B&W 18¢ a page; saddle-stapled booklets from $1.52; spiral-bound from $5.09 | Booklet, spiral, comb, wire | Same day for most orders by 2 pm | Cheapest bound copies |
| The UPS Store | Set by each store | Comb, coil, 3-ring (quoted in store) | Up to 72 hours | If it's the shop near you |
| Amazon KDP proof copy | $2.84 printing for a 24–110 page black-ink 8.5 x 11 in book, plus shipping | Paperback | Varies, shown at checkout | A real paperback for little money |
| Lulu | Lulu's own example: $5.48 for a 100-page 8.5 x 11 in B&W paperback, plus shipping | Paperback, coil, saddle stitch | 3–5 business days to print, plus shipping | A paperback without a KDP account |
Sources: Staples copies, Staples booklets, FedEx Office copies, Office Depot document printing, The UPS Store manuals, KDP proof copies, KDP printing cost, Lulu print costs. Store prices, especially binding, are often quoted in store only.
Before you print: check the PDF
A few minutes here saves a wasted print run.
- Check the page size. Coloring book PDFs from MyColoring.ai use A4 pages (210 x 297 mm) with a margin around each picture. A4 is a little taller and narrower than US letter (8.5 x 11 in), so in the US you will always print with "Fit" turned on. US print shops print on letter paper and don't list A4.
- Count the pages. A 10-page book from the AI coloring book maker is 11 pages with the cover. Printed single-sided, that's 11 sheets.
- Decide on the cover. The cover is in full color and the inside pages are black line art. Print the cover in color (or on cardstock) and the rest in black and white to keep costs down.
- Print one test page. Check that the lines are dark and nothing is cut off before printing the whole book.
Option 1: Print the coloring book at home
Printer settings
| Setting | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Paper size | Letter (US) or A4 | Match the paper in the tray |
| Scaling | Fit, Scale to fit or Shrink oversized pages | Keeps the whole page on letter paper instead of cropping |
| Sides | Single-sided | Markers can bleed through and ruin the picture on the back |
| Color | Color for the cover, black and white or grayscale for the rest | Saves color ink |
| Quality | Standard or high | "Draft" mode can print lines too light |
Where to find scaling:
- Mac Preview: in the print dialog, choose Scale to Fit and Print Entire Image (Apple guide).
- Adobe Acrobat Reader: under Page Sizing & Handling, choose Fit (scales up or down) or Shrink oversized pages (only scales down).
- Chrome or Edge: open More settings and set Scale to Fit to printable area.
To print the cover in color and the rest in black and white, print page 1 in color first, then print pages 2 to the end in grayscale.
Paper
| Coloring with | Paper |
|---|---|
| Crayons, colored pencils | Regular copy paper works; heavier paper feels nicer |
| Washable markers | Heavier paper (28–32 lb), single-sided |
| Alcohol markers, paint | Cardstock (65 lb or more) and a scrap sheet behind the page |
Crayola recommends smooth, uncoated paper for alcohol markers and says its own coloring books use 80 lb paper (Crayola FAQ). Check your printer's manual for its maximum paper weight before feeding cardstock.
Binding at home
- Staples on the left edge: stack the pages, add a cardstock back, and put 2 or 3 staples down the left side. Fast and cheap; the book doesn't lie flat.
- Hole punch and ribbon or binder rings: pages turn easily and kids can take one page out to color.
- Clip folder or report cover: the easiest option for a classroom set.
- Saddle-stitched booklet: printing a folded booklet means using your PDF reader's "Booklet" print option and a long-reach stapler. It looks great but takes practice, and it puts pictures back to back, so it works best for crayons and pencils.
Option 2: Use a copy shop (Staples, FedEx Office, Office Depot)
Copy shops are the best middle ground: same-day pickup, real binding, and no ink to buy.
Illustration of a stapled booklet, a coil-bound book and a paperback.
How to order online:
- Upload the PDF on the store's print page (Staples, FedEx Office and Office Depot all accept PDFs).
- Choose 8.5 x 11 in, single-sided and black and white. Ask for the cover to be printed in color on cardstock, or upload it as a separate color job.
- Choose the binding: coil (lies flat, best for coloring), comb, or stapled.
- Pick a store for pickup and check the preview to make sure the page isn't cropped.
What to ask for at the counter: "Single-sided, fit to page, color cover on cardstock, coil binding with a clear front cover and a black back cover." Binding prices are often not listed online; ask for a quote before printing several copies.
Walgreens also prints PDF documents with same-day pickup, and select CVS stores offer copy and print, but neither lists binding, so expect loose pages.
Option 3: Order a paperback (Amazon KDP or Lulu)
If you want a copy that looks like a book from a store, with a printed spine and a glossy cover, use print-on-demand:
- Amazon KDP proof copies. You can order printed copies of a book you haven't published by setting it up as a draft and approving it in KDP's previewer; proofs are marked "Not for Resale" and you can order up to 5 per order. KDP charges the printing cost (for a black-ink 8.5 x 11 in paperback of 24 to 110 pages, $2.84) plus shipping. You will need a full-wrap cover and an interior at a KDP trim size, and at least 24 pages. Our guide to making a KDP coloring book with AI covers trim size, margins and the cover.
- Lulu. You can order a single paperback without publishing it. Lulu's own example puts a 100-page 8.5 x 11 in black-and-white paperback at $5.48 plus shipping, and printing takes 3–5 business days before shipping. Use its pricing calculator for your exact book.
Both take longer than a copy shop. For a holiday gift, order early: production plus economy shipping can take a couple of weeks.
Timing for Christmas and birthdays
| You want | Start this many days before |
|---|---|
| Home-printed booklet | 1 day |
| Copy shop, coil bound | 1–2 days (same day if ordered early) |
| KDP or Lulu paperback | 3 weeks, to be safe |
Don't have a coloring book yet?
Make one in a few minutes with the AI coloring book maker: pick a theme or a story, choose 3 to 40 pages, and download a PDF with a color cover and no watermark. To make a book starring your own child, follow our guide to making a personalized coloring book.
