Buying an adult coloring book has never been easier. Since interest in adult coloring has exploded, most stores make a conscious effort to keep at least one adult coloring option on their shelves. It is more surprising to find a store that does not offer adult coloring books, but that does not mean that you will always find one to fit your style.
The best places to buy adult coloring books are craft stores like Michaels or bookstores like Barnes and Noble. These stores will offer the greatest variety, have the most relevant products, and allow you to shop in person. You should also have luck at superstores, Amazon, and gift shops.
While the best place to buy an adult coloring book depends on your personal preference, budget, experience, and availability, there are several stores to consider. Each of these options has proven to have an excellent selection, low prices, and a variety of delivery options. The best places to shop are:
- Craft stores
- Book Stores
- Superstores
- Amazon
- Etsy
- Gift Shops
This does not mean you should rush off to the store before finishing this article! Take some time to learn what gives each store an advantage. You may find that it is not necessary to travel an extra hour to make it to a big-name store.
Craft Stores
Crafting and coloring go hand in hand, so it makes sense that stores like Hobby Lobby and Michaels will have an expansive variety of adult coloring books. A benefit of shopping at a craft store is you can stock up on other coloring supplies at the same time. If you find that you are out of colored pencils, crayons, or markers, then you may have been planning a trip to the craft store anyway.
From velvet coloring books like Bloom to the beautiful designs of Celestial Mandalas, they offer a variety to meet your needs. If you already know what you want to buy, most stores offer curbside pickup to save you time (and money, if you are like me, and buy everything except what you came for).
Book Stores
While craft stores make sense because, well, crafts, it makes sense that you would find coloring books in a book store—places like Barnes and Noble or Booksamillion. While the majority of the selection at a bookstore tends to relate to nerdier subjects, you have ample opportunity to find generic titles to fit your style.
If you are one for fandoms, you should check out a bookstore first. There are coloring books for every fan base, from The Princess Bride to Disney. Book retailers have done a fantastic job of expanding their products to help you dive deeper into what you love.
Bookstores have the greatest variety of coloring books, hands down. While specialized stores need to keep things generic, bookstores are already expected to meet a variety of tastes. It only makes sense that they apply this to their coloring book selection.
Shopping Local
If you get the chance, you should always check out your local bookstore first, even if they do not operate under a big name. Smaller bookstores often have access to the same suppliers as chain stores, and you are likely to have a much more personable experience at a smaller store. Even if you do not find a coloring book you like at your local bookstore, many store owners will do everything they can to track down one that you will love.
Superstores
Shopping at your local superstore can prove to be pretty successful too. Shopping at big-name stores like Walmart or Target may limit you to some more generic styles, but their online marketplaces have a variety of coloring books to choose from.
One of the benefits of buying from a larger chain is that they tend to have lower prices. This means that you may be able to find a decent coloring book for less than $5. While they do not have the same selection of artist-quality tools, you can still find brands like Crayola and even Prismacolor in-store.
If you do not mind being limited to coloring options like mandalas or florals (not that there is anything wrong with either), or if you are brave enough to shop online, you should have decent luck here.
Amazon
It only fits that the largest online marketplace makes the list of “best places to buy adult coloring books.” Amazon has options for things you did not even know you wanted to color, including:
Horror and gore, but make it pretty
Combination of coloring and journaling
If you are looking for a variety, you will be sure to find it on Amazon. They have competitive prices and pull from thousands of sellers. The only issue you will run into is the fact that you cannot inspect the book in person before you buy it.
Shopping on Amazon means you are putting your faith in the company and the reviews. Anytime you are shopping online, you should err on the side of caution. Try to only buy products that offer free returns, and pay more attention to the reviews that include pictures.
Etsy
While Etsy may not be your first thought for buying coloring books, they actually have a selection of independent illustrators. This is a great option if you are interested in more obscure topics or want designs that may be unconventional.
Because these are often small businesses, you may find that prices are a bit higher, but the coloring books are usually top-tier quality and have a uniqueness you will not find while shopping at a bigger store.
For example, Mariola Budek is an architect with amazing illustrating capabilities and thousands of followers. While buying prints can be costly, you can save money by buying a bound collection that is optimized for coloring. By doing this, you get quality artwork for a reasonable price, and you support a fellow artist.
Etsy is also a great resource if you would rather download coloring pages to print out yourself. They have plenty of PDF listings such as:
Vintage Classic Coloring Pages
With downloadable content, you get to choose the type of paper you color on without being locked down to specific illustrations. You can also print them out to color as many times as you like.
Gift Shops
While they are not the best choice for running out to buy a new coloring book, checking out the selection at a gift shop can be a great way to combine your passion with specific events you want to remember.
Most hospital gift shops also carry adult coloring books. While you may not want to remember your stay in the hospital, having a coloring book handy can help you pass your time there with minimal frustration.
Why You Should Buy an Adult Coloring Book
Adult coloring provides a break from day-to-day life that we do not get to experience much. The act of coloring is nostalgic, reminding you of a time that was simpler and you had less stress to deal with.
On top of that, adult coloring books are a great way to work on your coloring skills. Even if you do not intend to pursue art professionally, working on skills that you enjoy can boost creativity and confidence. Using a coloring book is a low-risk way to do that because you do not need to have fantastic drawing skills.
Buying a coloring book for yourself is a small investment that can improve mental health. Beyond that, it is just a fun activity to treat yourself, and we all deserve that from time to time.
Check out some of the coloring books we love HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to shop for a coloring book in-store or online?
If you have the chance to shop in-store, that is usually the better choice. It is a lot easier to evaluate the coloring book when you have it in your hands, and you can check to make sure that you like all the illustrations. You can also ensure that the paper is of good quality when it is in your hands.
What should I do if I cannot find an adult coloring book I like?
If you do not like any of the choices you have, then you can try downloading coloring pages online. If there is a children’s coloring book that you prefer, do not hesitate to buy that instead. You can always add detail to the basic line art.
How much do adult coloring books usually cost?
Adult coloring books tend to cost more than children’s coloring books, usually in the range of $5 to $15. There are instances where you can pay less or more. For example, a coloring book that is on clearance will cost much less, but a coloring book that is limited edition or limited stock can cost more than $20.
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