Custom Adult Coloring Books vs Custom Children’s Coloring Books: Which Should You Print?

If your audience is mostly adults, choose Custom Adult Coloring Books for sophisticated themes, intricate line art, and workplace-friendly branding; choose children’s coloring books when the primary users are kids and you need bigger shapes, simpler imagery, and faster participation.

Shop both:

• Adult Coloring Books

• Children’s Coloring Books

Quick comparison table

Choose Adult Coloring Books if… (with decision qualifiers)

Choose Adult Coloring Books when:

• The main audience is teens/adults, and you want a calm, mindful activity.
• You want a premium “kept on desk” item with repeat use over weeks.
• Your designs benefit from intricate patterns (mandalas, geometric, nature detail).
• You’re building a wellness kit that can pair with Custom Pencils or Art Supplies.

Constraint to respect: avoid overly complex, dark pages if your audience includes first-time Colores too much density can reduce participation.

Choose Children’s Coloring Books if… (with decision qualifiers)

Choose Children’s Coloring Books when:

• The primary users are kids, and you need instant, low-effort engagement.
• You expect crayons or washable markers, which favor bigger shapes and simpler compositions.
• The setting involves higher wear (classrooms, community tables, family festivals).
• You need the safest creative option for broad public distribution, with neutral, age-appropriate imagery.

Constraint to respect: keep branding mostly on the cover heavy interior branding can make kids (and parents) disengage quickly.

Best use cases (winner flips based on constraints)

• Employee wellness gifts → Adult coloring books (calm, repeat use, desk-friendly)
• School events, libraries, youth programs → Children’s coloring books (simple, fast participation)
• Family festivals (mixed ages) → If kids are the focus: children’s; if adults are the buyers: adult
• Healthcare waiting rooms → Children’s for pediatric areas; adult for general clinics and caregiver spaces
• Restaurant kids’ activity programs → Children’s (quick sessions, low instruction needed)
• Conference giveaways → Adult (brand-safe sophistication + longer dwell time)

For format rules (size, paper behavior, and what makes coloring enjoyable), use the hub guide: Adult Coloring Books Buyer’s Guide: Sizes, Printing, Materials, and Best Use Cases.

Branding & imprint considerations (make it usable first)

Cover branding (both categories)

• Put the brand on the front cover with high contrast and a clean logo panel.
• Use the back cover for details (URL/QR/contact) so the front stays “giftable.”
• Keep typography bold and readable at arm’s length.

Interior design rules that prevent low participation

• Children’s books: prioritize large, closed shapes and clear outlines; avoid tiny detail and busy backgrounds.
• Adult books: keep detail but preserve negative space so pages don’t feel “heavy.”
• If you add a message, place it on the inside cover rather than across art pages.

What prints cleanly vs what doesn’t (practical art guidance)

Prints cleanly

• Bold outlines, consistent stroke weight, simple character silhouettes
• Clear margins around any branded panel

Doesn’t

• Hairline outlines and micro-text (fills in once colored)
• Logos placed over dense pattern backgrounds without a clean panel

Operational factors (real-world handling differences)

• Mess & supervision: children’s books often involve markers/crayons and more surface mess; adult books trend toward pencils/desk use.
• Durability: kids’ settings need more robust planning (spills, rough handling, pages tearing).
• Throughput: for high-traffic family events, children’s books win because sessions are shorter and participation is faster.
• Storage & transport: both stores easily, but if you’re bundling tools, plan a companion like Art Supplies rather than scattering loose crayons.

FAQs (direct answers first)

1) Which is better for a mixed-age community event?

Choose children’s coloring books if kids are the primary participants; choose adult coloring books if adults are the primary recipients and you want a calmer experience.

2) Which one gets used longer over time?

Adult coloring books typically have longer repeat use because adults revisit pages and keep books at desks or at home.

3) Is it okay to use the same designs for adult and children’s books?

Usually, no kids need simpler shapes and fewer tiny details to keep the activity fun and frustration-free.

4) Where should branding go so it doesn’t ruin the experience?

Put branding on the cover and keep interior branding minimal an inside-cover message is usually enough.

5) Which is better if people will use washable markers?

Children’s coloring books are usually the safer fit because the artwork is designed for bigger fills and quick sessions.

6) Which is better for employee wellness kits?

Adult coloring books are the better wellness choice because they support mindful, longer-form breaks and feel more premium.

7) How do I make sure the logo stays readable?

Use high contrast and a clean logo panel rather than placing the logo over detailed patterns.

8) If I’m still unsure, what’s the safest default?

Match the book to who will hold it most adult recipients → adult coloring books; kids participants → children’s coloring books.