Custom Adult Coloring Books vs Custom Promotional Notebooks: Which Should You Print?

If you want an interactive, calming giveaway people use in dedicated breaks, choose Custom Adult Coloring Books; if you want an everyday work tool that gets opened in meetings and carried daily, choose custom promotional notebooks.

Above the fold (shop both):

• Adult Coloring Books

• Promotional Notebooks

Quick comparison table (decision variables that change the winner)

Choose Adult Coloring Books if… (with practical qualifiers)

Choose Adult Coloring Books when:

• You want a wellness-first gift with an intentional “pause and reset” vibe.
• Your recipients typically have 10+ minutes of downtime (desk breaks, lounges, retreats).
• You can include or place a simple tool like Custom Pencils.
• You want a high-contrast branded cover that looks good on a desk even when not in use.

Operational constraint: if you can’t provide coloring tools or stable surfaces, notebooks usually get higher immediate participation.

Choose Promotional Notebooks if… (with practical qualifiers)

Choose Promotional Notebooks when:

• You need a default-use item that works in meetings, trainings, and classrooms.
• The typical interaction is under 2 minutes (quick handoff, quick value).
• Your audience is broad and you want the lowest “will they use it?” risk.
• You want a giveaway that travels easily and doesn’t depend on supplies.

Branding constraint: notebooks often live in bags and stacks make the cover readable with simple hierarchy, not tiny copy.

Best use cases (winner flips based on context)

• Employee wellness kits → Adult coloring books (activity-driven calm + repeat sessions)
• New-hire onboarding & training → Promotional notebooks (meeting-ready utility)
• Trade shows (fast handoff) → Notebooks unless you’re building a curated wellness kit
• Retreats, workshops, community events → Coloring books (guided engagement)
• Classrooms and education programs → Notebooks (daily use)
• Waiting rooms → Coloring books if you can place pencils; otherwise notebooks for zero-mess writing

If you’re choosing based on paper, binding, and what makes coloring enjoyable, start with:

Adult Coloring Books Buyer’s Guide: Sizes, Printing, Materials, and Best Use Cases

Branding & imprint considerations (what prints cleanly vs what fails)

Adult coloring book branding (best practices)

• Cover wins: use one strong focal element + a clean logo panel.
• Keep interior branding minimal (inside cover message > repeated logos on art pages).
• Favor bold, consistent line art (thin lines fill in once colored).

Notebook branding (best practices)

• Treat the cover like a sign: logo + short line beats paragraphs.
• Put “extra info” (URL/QR, program details) on the back cover or inside cover.
• Avoid low-contrast marks that disappear on textured or dark covers.

What prints cleanly

• Solid logo marks, clear margins, and high contrast
• Simple typography (large enough to read at arm’s length)

What doesn’t

• Tiny text, fine outlines, or logos placed over busy patterns without a clean panel

Operational factors (setup, storage, and real-world adoption)

• Setup & staffing: coloring books benefit from a simple station; notebooks don’t.
• Transport: notebooks are easy “drop-ins” for any swag bag; coloring books work best as part of a kit (book + pencils).
• Cleanup: notebooks are low mess; coloring can introduce smudges if markers/gel pens are common.
• Longevity: notebooks can become “default tools”; coloring books become “intentional breaks.”

How to choose between coloring books and notebooks (fast steps)

1. Decide the intent: wellness activity (coloring) vs daily utility (notebooks).
2. Confirm supplies: no supplies allowed → notebooks; pencils OK → coloring books become viable.
3. Match the moment: meetings/training → notebooks; break rooms/retreats → coloring books.
4. Choose your brand behavior: storytelling + theme → coloring; “always visible tool” → notebook.
5. Reduce participation risk: if you must maximize immediate use, lean notebooks.

FAQs (direct answers first)

1) Which gets used more often in a corporate setting?

Promotional notebooks usually get used more often because they fit meetings, training, and daily tasks without supplies.

2) Which creates a stronger wellness impression?

Adult coloring books create a stronger wellness impression because they’re activity-based and encourage longer breaks.

3) Which is better if I can’t include pencils?

Notebooks are better if you can’t include pencils because they work with any pen and require no setup.

4) Which is better for high-traffic trade shows?

Notebooks are usually better for high-traffic shows unless you’re intentionally building a wellness-themed kit.

5) Where should I place branding so it stays readable?

Put branding on the cover with high contrast and simple hierarchy; use the back cover for details and QR codes.

6) Can I combine both in a single giveaway kit?

Yes pairing a notebook with an adult coloring book works well when you want both daily utility and mindful breaks.

7) What’s the most common reason coloring books underperform?

Lack of tools or surfaces people won’t start if they can’t color immediately.

8) What’s the most common reason notebooks underperform?

Overdesigned covers with tiny copy or low contrast that makes the branding unreadable.