Creating coloring books just became incredibly simple. Midjourney generates perfect black and white line art in seconds.
I tested 200+ Midjourney Prompts for Coloring Book Pages last month creating my daughter’s birthday coloring book. Some failed completely while others produced printable masterpieces.
The secret? Specific parameters that force clean outlines, no shading, and thick borders perfect for coloring. Most beginners skip these critical details.
This guide gives you 50+ tested prompts creating kids coloring pages, adult mandalas, animals, fantasy scenes, and more. Each template works immediately—just copy and generate.
Direct Answer: Midjourney creates professional coloring book pages using prompts with “–no shading, color, gradient” parameters plus “thick black outlines, simple shapes, white background” descriptions. Add “–ar 3:4” for standard page ratio. Essential formula: [subject] + “coloring book page, black and white line art, thick outlines, simple details” + –no shading color –ar 3:4.
What Makes Perfect Coloring Book Prompts
Good coloring prompts need specific elements that basic Midjourney commands don’t include naturally.
Black and white only matters critically. Midjourney defaults to full color images. You must explicitly request line art and remove color completely.
Thick outlines prevent frustration when coloring. Thin lines disappear under crayon pressure or marker bleed. Request “thick black outlines” every time.
No shading keeps pages simple. Midjourney loves adding shadows, gradients, and depth. These elements ruin coloring pages by filling spaces meant for crayons.
Simple shapes work better than complex details. Kids especially need clear defined areas without tiny intricate patterns that frustrate coloring.
White background ensures clean printing. Gray or textured backgrounds waste ink and create messy printed pages.
Standard page ratio matters for printing. 3:4 aspect ratio matches typical coloring book dimensions better than square or wide formats.
I learned this after wasting 50 generations with beautiful art that couldn’t work as actual coloring pages. The technical requirements matter more than artistic beauty.
Essential Midjourney Parameters for Coloring Books
Parameters control how Midjourney interprets your prompts. These specific settings create coloring-friendly outputs.
The –no Parameter
This removes unwanted elements from generations. For coloring books, use: --no shading, color, gradient, shadow, depth
Each term eliminates specific problems. “Shading” prevents dark fill areas. “Color” forces black and white. “Gradient” stops tonal variations.
Combine them in one parameter like: --no shading color gradient shadow background texture
I tested removing each element individually. All together produces cleanest results consistently.
The –ar Parameter
Aspect ratio determines image proportions. Coloring books typically use portrait orientation.
Standard ratios:
--ar 3:4– Classic coloring book page--ar 2:3– Taller narrow format--ar 1:1– Square pages (less common)
Most prompts work best with --ar 3:4 matching 8.5×11 inch paper when printed.
Style and Quality Settings
Additional parameters improve consistency and quality.
–style raw produces cleaner line work without artistic interpretation that adds unwanted complexity.
–q 1 balances quality and speed. Higher quality settings don’t significantly improve simple line art.
–seed [number] creates consistent style across multiple pages. Use the same seed for entire coloring book maintaining unified aesthetic.
I generated a 20-page dinosaur book using identical seed numbers. Every page matched perfectly in line thickness and detail level.
50+ Ready-to-Use Coloring Book Prompts
Copy these templates directly into Midjourney. Modify subjects while keeping parameters intact.
Kids Animal Coloring Pages (10 Prompts)
1. Cute Safari Animals “Cute baby elephant playing with butterflies, coloring book page, thick black outlines, simple shapes, white background, no details in background, children’s illustration style –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4 –style raw”
2. Ocean Creatures “Happy dolphin jumping over waves, coloring book page, thick black outlines, simple ocean scene, white background, kid-friendly style –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4”
3. Farm Animals “Friendly cow in meadow with flowers, coloring book page, bold black lines, simple barn in background, large clear spaces for coloring –no shading color gradient texture –ar 3:4 –style raw”
4. Woodland Forest “Smiling fox sitting under mushroom, coloring book page, thick outlines, simple forest elements, white background, cartoon style –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4”
5. Jungle Safari “Playful monkey hanging from tree branch with bananas, coloring book page, bold black outlines, simple jungle leaves, clear coloring areas –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4 –style raw”
6. Pets and Friends “Cute puppy with ball and bone, coloring book page, thick black lines, simple shapes, white background, children’s book illustration –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4”
7. Arctic Animals “Adorable penguin family on ice, coloring book page, bold outlines, simple background, large spaces for coloring –no shading color gradient texture –ar 3:4 –style raw”
8. Birds and Nature “Colorful parrot on tree branch with tropical flowers, coloring book page, thick black outlines, simple leaves, white background –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
9. Reptiles Collection “Friendly turtle with patterned shell, coloring book page, bold black lines, simple pond scene, clear sections –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
10. Dinosaur Adventure “Cute T-Rex with small arms, coloring book page, thick outlines, simple prehistoric plants, white background, kid-friendly cartoon –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
Adult Coloring Mandalas (10 Prompts)
11. Floral Mandala “Intricate flower mandala with lotus petals, coloring book page, detailed symmetrical pattern, thick black outlines, white background –no shading color gradient –ar 1:1 –style raw”
12. Geometric Patterns “Complex geometric mandala with triangles and circles, coloring book page, symmetrical design, bold black lines, detailed sections –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 1:1”
13. Nature Mandala “Mandala made of leaves and vines, coloring book page, organic flowing patterns, thick outlines, intricate details –no shading color gradient –ar 1:1 –style raw”
14. Animal Mandala “Butterfly wings forming mandala pattern, coloring book page, symmetrical detailed design, bold black outlines, white background –no shading color gradient –ar 1:1”
15. Celtic Knots “Intricate Celtic knot mandala, coloring book page, interwoven patterns, thick black lines, complex but clear sections –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 1:1 –style raw”
16. Zen Garden “Zen mandala with waves and lotus flowers, coloring book page, peaceful symmetrical design, detailed outlines, white background –no shading color gradient –ar 1:1”
17. Starlight Mandala “Celestial mandala with stars and moons, coloring book page, intricate cosmic pattern, bold black lines, detailed –no shading color gradient –ar 1:1 –style raw”
18. Tribal Patterns “Tribal mandala with ancient symbols, coloring book page, bold geometric shapes, thick outlines, symmetrical design –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 1:1”
19. Peacock Feathers “Mandala created from peacock feathers, coloring book page, detailed symmetrical pattern, elegant lines, white background –no shading color gradient –ar 1:1 –style raw”
20. Ocean Waves “Water mandala with waves and shells, coloring book page, flowing symmetrical pattern, thick black outlines, intricate details –no shading color gradient –ar 1:1”
Fantasy and Magic (10 Prompts)
21. Fairy Castle “Enchanted castle with towers and flags, coloring book page, thick black outlines, simple fairytale style, white background –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
22. Unicorn Dreams “Magical unicorn with flowing mane and stars, coloring book page, bold black lines, fantasy elements, clear coloring spaces –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
23. Dragon Adventure “Friendly dragon with wings and treasure, coloring book page, thick outlines, simple medieval background, white background –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
24. Mermaid Kingdom “Beautiful mermaid with seashells and coral, coloring book page, bold black lines, underwater scene, simple details –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
25. Wizard Tower “Wizard’s tower with magical symbols and stars, coloring book page, thick outlines, fantasy architecture, white background –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
26. Enchanted Forest “Magical forest with glowing mushrooms and fairy houses, coloring book page, bold black outlines, whimsical style –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
27. Phoenix Rising “Majestic phoenix with spread wings and flames, coloring book page, thick black lines, detailed feathers, white background –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
28. Crystal Cave “Cave filled with magical crystals, coloring book page, bold outlines, geometric crystal shapes, simple background –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
29. Pegasus Flight “Flying pegasus with clouds and rainbows, coloring book page, thick black outlines, fantasy sky scene, white background –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
30. Fairy Garden “Tiny fairy with flowers and butterflies, coloring book page, bold black lines, magical garden setting, simple details –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
Nature and Flowers (10 Prompts)
31. Rose Garden “Beautiful roses with leaves and stems, coloring book page, thick black outlines, detailed petals, white background –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
32. Butterfly Meadow “Butterflies among wildflowers, coloring book page, bold black lines, simple flower shapes, clear wing patterns –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
33. Sunflower Field “Tall sunflowers with bee, coloring book page, thick outlines, simple leaves, white background, cheerful design –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
34. Tree of Life “Intricate tree with roots and branches, coloring book page, detailed bark texture, bold black outlines, symmetrical –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
35. Tropical Paradise “Tropical flowers hibiscus and plumeria, coloring book page, thick black lines, large petals, simple leaves –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
36. Mushroom Forest “Whimsical mushrooms in fairy ring, coloring book page, bold outlines, various sizes, simple grass, white background –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
37. Cherry Blossom “Cherry blossom branch with delicate flowers, coloring book page, thick black outlines, elegant design, simple background –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
38. Succulent Garden “Collection of succulents in pots, coloring book page, bold black lines, geometric plant shapes, white background –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
39. Autumn Leaves “Falling autumn leaves with acorns, coloring book page, thick outlines, various leaf shapes, simple composition –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
40. Water Lily Pond “Water lilies floating on pond, coloring book page, bold black outlines, simple ripples, lotus flowers –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
Holiday and Seasonal (10 Prompts)
41. Christmas Joy “Christmas tree with ornaments and presents, coloring book page, thick black outlines, simple holiday decorations, white background –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
42. Halloween Night “Friendly ghost and pumpkins, coloring book page, bold black lines, simple spooky elements, kid-friendly –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
43. Easter Celebration “Easter bunny with decorated eggs and flowers, coloring book page, thick outlines, simple basket, white background –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
44. Valentine Hearts “Hearts and roses pattern, coloring book page, bold black outlines, romantic design, simple shapes –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
45. Thanksgiving Harvest “Cornucopia with fruits and vegetables, coloring book page, thick black lines, autumn harvest, white background –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
46. Spring Garden “Spring flowers blooming with butterflies, coloring book page, bold outlines, cheerful design, simple background –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
47. Summer Beach “Beach scene with sandcastle and seashells, coloring book page, thick black outlines, simple waves, white background –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
48. Winter Wonderland “Snowman with scarf and snowflakes, coloring book page, bold black lines, simple winter scene, kid-friendly –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
49. Fourth of July “Fireworks and American flag, coloring book page, thick outlines, patriotic design, white background –no shading color gradient shadow –ar 3:4 –style raw”
50. New Year Celebration “Clock at midnight with stars and confetti, coloring book page, bold black outlines, celebratory design, simple elements –no shading color gradient –ar 3:4”
Advanced Techniques for Better Results
Improving prompt quality requires understanding Midjourney’s behavior with coloring book requests.
Using the Seed Parameter
Consistency across pages matters when creating complete coloring books. The –seed parameter ensures matching styles.
Generate your first page and note the seed number from job details. Add that exact seed to all remaining prompts.
Example workflow:
- Create page 1: “Cute cat –no color –ar 3:4”
- Check seed (example: 12345)
- Page 2: “Cute dog –no color –ar 3:4 –seed 12345”
All pages maintain identical line thickness, detail level, and artistic style creating professional cohesive books.
I created a 30-page alphabet book this way. Every letter matched perfectly in visual style despite different subjects.
Niji Mode for Anime Style
Niji mode specializes in anime and manga aesthetics. Add –niji 5 for cute character coloring pages.
This style works beautifully for kawaii animals, chibi characters, and manga-inspired designs popular with teen colorists.
Standard Midjourney produces more realistic line art. Niji creates exaggerated features, big eyes, and simplified cute forms.
Example comparison:
- Regular: “Cute bunny coloring book –no color –ar 3:4”
- Niji: “Cute bunny coloring book –no color –ar 3:4 –niji 5”
Niji version shows larger eyes, rounder shapes, and manga-style cuteness versus realistic rabbit anatomy.
Controlling Line Thickness
Line weight affects coloring difficulty. Thicker lines suit younger children. Finer lines challenge adults.
Adjust thickness through prompt wording:
- Kids: “very thick bold black outlines”
- Adults: “detailed thin precise black lines”
- Medium: “moderate black outlines”
Midjourney interprets these descriptors accurately, producing noticeably different line weights.
Test different wordings for your target audience. Preschool pages need extra thick lines while adult mandalas benefit from delicate details.
Removing Unwanted Details
Sometimes Midjourney adds background elements, textures, or patterns you don’t want.
Strengthen your –no parameter: --no shading color gradient background texture pattern shadow depth detail
Be specific about exclusions. If backgrounds keep appearing, add “white background, nothing else” to main prompt plus “–no background scenery”.
I fought with persistent grass backgrounds on animal pages. Adding “clean white background” plus “–no grass ground scenery” finally worked.
Fixing Common Problems
Problem: Colors appear despite –no color Solution: Add “black and white line art only” to prompt text plus strengthen –no parameter.
Problem: Shading fills spaces Solution: Add “no shading, no fill, outline only” plus –no shading shadow gradient.
Problem: Lines too thin Solution: Emphasize “very thick bold black outlines” or “heavy line weight”.
Problem: Too much detail Solution: Add “simple shapes, large clear areas” and –no detail texture.
Problem: Wrong aspect ratio Solution: Always include –ar 3:4 explicitly (don’t rely on defaults).
Preparing for Print and Publishing
Generated images need preparation before becoming actual coloring books.
Resolution and Quality
Midjourney outputs at varying resolutions. Higher quality ensures sharp printed lines.
Upscale images using Midjourney’s upscale buttons or external tools like Topaz Gigapixel AI.
Minimum print resolution: 300 DPI at final size. For 8.5×11 inch pages, that means 2550×3300 pixels minimum.
Test print one page before committing to entire book printing. Check if lines appear crisp and thick enough for actual coloring.
Removing Gray Tones
Sometimes faint grays remain despite –no color. Remove these in image editing software.
Use Photoshop or GIMP (free):
- Open image
- Adjust Levels (Image > Adjustments > Levels)
- Move white slider left until grays disappear
- Increase contrast if needed
This creates pure black and white without in-between tones that waste printer ink.
Online tool alternative: Use Photopea.com (free Photoshop alternative) for same adjustments without software installation.
Page Layout and Margins
Don’t print images at full page size. Leave margins for binding and handling.
Standard margins:
- 0.5 inch on all sides for spiral binding
- 0.75 inch left margin for perfect binding
- 0.25 inch trim on outer edges
Layout software like Canva or Adobe InDesign helps create proper page templates.
I learned this after printing my first book with full-bleed images. The binding cut off line work on several pages.
File Formats for Printing
Save final pages in formats professional printers accept.
PDF preferred for print shops. Embed images at 300 DPI and use CMYK color mode (even though images are black and white).
PNG acceptable for online printing services. Use highest quality settings with transparent or white backgrounds.
JPEG works but can create compression artifacts around black lines. If using JPEG, set quality to maximum (100%).
Publishing on Amazon KDP
Kindle Direct Publishing lets you sell coloring books globally with no upfront costs.
KDP requirements:
- Minimum 24 pages (excluding covers)
- PDF format for interior
- Specific page sizes (8.5×11 most common)
- Bleed settings if using full-page art
Upload your pages, design a cover, set pricing, and publish within 24-48 hours.
I published three coloring books on KDP. The process took one afternoon per book after images were ready.
Copyright and Commercial Use
Midjourney’s terms allow commercial use of generated images with paid subscriptions.
Free trials restrict commercial rights. Verify your subscription level before selling coloring books.
You own the generated images and can sell coloring books, but you cannot claim copyright over the AI-generated art itself in some jurisdictions.
Add original elements like custom titles, instructions, or layouts to strengthen your copyright claims on the complete book.
Creating Themed Coloring Book Series
Series perform better than single books. Readers buying one often purchase others in the collection.
Planning Cohesive Themes
Choose specific niches:
- Age-based: Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults, Seniors
- Interest-based: Animals, Fantasy, Nature, Mandalas, Patterns
- Skill-based: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
- Occasion-based: Holidays, Seasons, Events
Use identical seeds across series for consistent artistic style making books recognizably related.
My animal series includes Safari Animals, Ocean Creatures, Farm Friends, and Woodland Forest—each with unique subjects but matching visual style.
Maintaining Consistent Difficulty
Page difficulty should match throughout each book. Don’t mix simple kids pages with complex adult mandalas randomly.
For kids books:
- Large simple shapes
- Thick outlines
- Minimal details
- Clear distinct areas
For adult books:
- Intricate patterns
- Fine details
- Complex compositions
- Challenging sections
Test pages with target audience before finalizing entire books. Kids immediately show frustration with too-complex designs.
Marketing and Keywords
Amazon visibility requires strategic keywords. Research what customers search for using Keyword Tool or Publisher Rocket.
Effective keywords:
- “easy coloring book kids ages 4-8”
- “detailed mandala adults stress relief”
- “cute animals coloring pages”
- “fantasy creatures coloring book”
Book titles should include primary keywords naturally: “Ocean Adventures Coloring Book: 50 Sea Creatures for Kids Ages 4-8”
I improved sales 300% by optimizing keywords from generic “Animal Coloring Book” to specific “Safari Animals Coloring Book for Kids Ages 3-5: Easy Large Images”.
Comparing Midjourney to Other AI Tools
Multiple AI generators create coloring pages. Each has distinct strengths.
Midjourney produces highest quality line art with cleanest outlines and best detail control through parameters.
DALL-E 3 creates coloring pages but struggles with consistent line weight and often adds unwanted shading despite prompts.
Stable Diffusion requires technical setup and specific models trained for line art. More difficult than Midjourney but offers complete control.
Leonardo.AI works well with preset “Line Art” model but produces less intricate details than Midjourney for adult coloring books.
Bing Image Creator (powered by DALL-E) creates acceptable kids pages for free but quality lags Midjourney’s precision.
For professional publishing, Midjourney provides best balance of quality, control, and ease of use. The $10 monthly subscription pays for itself with one book sale.
Similar to how Leonardo AI excels at fantasy art, different tools optimize for different creative outputs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learning from errors saves time and frustration. These mistakes happen frequently.
Mistake 1: Forgetting –no Parameters Without –no shading color, Midjourney creates full color artwork useless for coloring books.
Mistake 2: Wrong Aspect Ratio Square images (default 1:1) don’t fit standard coloring book layouts. Always use –ar 3:4.
Mistake 3: Overly Complex Prompts Long detailed descriptions confuse results. Keep prompts focused on essential elements.
Mistake 4: Inconsistent Style Across Pages Changing prompts drastically creates mismatched books. Use consistent seed numbers for series.
Mistake 5: Skipping Print Tests Digital images look different when printed. Always test before bulk printing.
Mistake 6: Ignoring Target Age Detail level must match coloring skill. Toddler pages need simple shapes, not intricate patterns.
Mistake 7: Publishing Without Upscaling Low resolution images print blurry with jagged lines. Upscale to 300 DPI minimum.
I made every mistake during my first book. Testing and iteration improved quality dramatically over time.
7 Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I sell coloring books made with Midjourney prompts commercially?
Yes, you can sell coloring books created with Midjourney if you have a paid subscription (Basic, Standard, or Pro plan). Midjourney’s commercial terms grant you rights to monetize generated images including publishing on Amazon KDP, Etsy, or your own website. Free trial users cannot sell AI-generated content commercially. However, you cannot claim copyright over the AI art itself in some jurisdictions—you own usage rights, not exclusive copyright. Add original elements like custom covers, instructions, or layouts to strengthen your intellectual property claims on the complete book product.
Q2: What’s the best aspect ratio for printable coloring book pages?
Use –ar 3:4 for standard coloring book pages matching 8.5×11 inch portrait orientation when printed. This ratio creates properly proportioned pages that don’t require cropping or stretching. Square format (–ar 1:1) works specifically for mandala coloring books or special square-bound books. Avoid landscape orientations as they don’t match typical coloring book formats. The 3:4 ratio ensures your Midjourney output fits standard printing templates without wasting paper or cutting off artwork during the printing process.
Q3: How do I make Midjourney create thicker outlines for kids?
Add “very thick bold black outlines” or “heavy line weight” directly in your prompt text. Emphasize thickness through descriptive words like “chunky lines” or “extra thick borders”. For younger children ages 2-5, use prompts like “toddler coloring book, very simple shapes, extremely thick black outlines”. The –style raw parameter also helps produce cleaner, bolder line work. Test different thickness descriptions and save prompts that work best for your target age group. Thicker lines prevent frustration when young children color, as thin lines disappear under crayon pressure.
Q4: Why does Midjourney keep adding colors despite using –no color?
Strengthen your negative parameters by listing multiple exclusions: –no shading color gradient shadow. Additionally, add “black and white line art only” directly in your prompt text for emphasis. If colors persist, try “monochrome linework, ink drawing style, no color whatsoever” in the main prompt. Sometimes older Midjourney versions interpret parameters differently—ensure you’re using the latest version. As a last resort, convert finished images to pure black and white using photo editing software like Photoshop, GIMP, or free online tool Photopea by adjusting levels and increasing contrast until only black lines remain on white background.
Q5: How many pages should a coloring book have for Amazon KDP?
Amazon KDP requires minimum 24 pages (excluding covers) for paperback books. Most successful coloring books contain 30-50 pages providing good value without overwhelming buyers. Kids coloring books work well at 30-40 pages matching shorter attention spans. Adult coloring books benefit from 40-50 pages justifying higher prices. Consider your pricing strategy—thicker books command higher prices but cost more to print, affecting profit margins. Start with 30-page books as you learn the publishing process, then expand to 50-page books once you’ve established successful titles and understand your audience preferences.
Q6: Can I use the same Midjourney seed for an entire coloring book series?
Yes, using identical seed numbers across your coloring book series creates consistent visual style unifying different titles. Generate your first page, note the seed number from job details, then add –seed [number] to all subsequent prompts. This ensures matching line thickness, detail level, and artistic style across different books in your series. Readers recognize books as part of a collection through consistent aesthetics. However, use different seeds for distinctly different series—don’t use the same seed for both kids animal books and adult mandala books. Save successful seed numbers in a spreadsheet organized by series and style for future reference.
Q7: Do I need to upscale Midjourney images before printing coloring books?
Yes, always upscale images to at least 300 DPI at your final print size for professional quality. Midjourney’s default output resolution may appear sharp on screens but print poorly with blurry or jagged lines. For 8.5×11 inch pages, you need minimum 2550×3300 pixels. Use Midjourney’s built-in upscale feature or external tools like Topaz Gigapixel AI, Photoshop Super Resolution, or free online upscalers. Print one test page on your home printer before ordering bulk printing to verify line sharpness and thickness. Poor resolution causes the most common complaints about self-published coloring books, so this step critically impacts customer satisfaction and reviews.
