How to Make a Coloring Page from a Drawing
Learning how to make a coloring page from a drawing is easier than you think! To make a coloring page from a drawing, import your sketch into the Procreate app, trace the outlines on a new layer, then export the finished line art as a PNG or PDF. It’s an easy way to turn your art into something fun, printable, and ready to color.
In this step-by-step guide I will go through the process in more detail.
Ever wanted to turn your own drawings into printable coloring pages? You’re in luck. If you have an iPad and the Procreate app, you're just a few taps away from making your own coloring pages.
What You’ll Need
Before we get started, make sure you have:
- An iPad with Procreate installed. This has a one-time fee to use but does cost less than $20 so it's still a very affordable option.
- An Apple Pencil or any alternative stylus that is similar to the Apple Pencil. I've used the affordable alternative stylus and made multiple coloring books without any issues.
- A sketch or drawing you want to convert into a coloring page.
Step 1: Import or Create Your Sketch
You can start two ways:
- Draw directly in Procreate, or
- Import a photo of your hand-drawn sketch. I personally do my doodle in a sketch book and then just snap a photo of my sketch directly in Procreate when I open a new blank canvas.
To import:
- Open Procreate.
- Tap the "+" icon to create a new canvas.
- Tap the wrench icon (Actions menu) → Insert a photo or Take a photo.
Position the sketch so it fills the canvas, then reduce opacity by tapping the Layers panel → select your sketch layer → lower the opacity slider.
Step 2: Add a New Layer for Inking
This is where the magic starts.
- Tap Layers → tap "+" to add a new layer above your sketch.
- Choose monoline or technical pen from the inking brushes.
- Use black for crisp outlines. You can make it as bold or thin as you like by adjusting the line size in the Procreate toolbar.
- Carefully trace over your sketch on the new layer.
Zoom in often to make sure your lines are clean. Keep your strokes smooth and slow.
Pro Tip: Turn on StreamLine in brush settings to help smooth out wobbly lines.
Step 3: Hide the Original Sketch
Once you're done inking:
- Go to the Layers panel.
- Uncheck the sketch layer to hide it.
You should now see just your clean black outline! Well, if you are new to this, they may not be so clean and tidy but in time you will refine your process and the pages get better.
You can then color this page over and over again digitally or print it out and color it. If you are creating a full coloring book then you'll want to save it as a PNG and compile your pages in a tool like Canva.
Step 4: Clean Up Your Lines
- Use the Eraser tool (set to monoline or technical pen) to clean any stray marks.
- Make sure your lines are fully connected if you plan to fill color digitally later.
Clean outlines make for a better coloring experience. One giveaway of low-quality or AI-generated coloring books is broken lines that make filling in the page frustrating and less enjoyable.
Step 5: Export Your Coloring Page
Now that your coloring page is ready:
- Tap the wrench icon → Share → choose PDF, PNG, or JPEG.
- For printing or digital use, PNG with transparent background is a great choice.
Save it to your iPad or share it via email, cloud, or AirDrop.
Bonus Tips for Making Your Own Coloring Pages
- Use bold lines for coloring pages made for kids. Okay, bold and easy coloring pages are not just for kids! In fact, they are my preferred style of coloring page.
- Keep the design simple, especially for beginner colorists.
- Add fun elements like borders, small icons, or inspirational words.
- Want to make a whole book? Repeat the process for each page and combine the files in a PDF editor such as Canva.
Why Use Procreate for Coloring Pages?
Once you learn how to make a coloring page on Procreate, it opens the door to a whole new world of creativity. Whether you're doodling for fun, crafting printable art for friends, or building a coloring book side hustle, Procreate gives you the tools to make it happen.
Turning your art into a printable coloring page is super satisfying and Procreate makes the process smooth. You can create pages for your own use, sell them on Etsy, or share them with friends and family.
Like any creative skill, there’s a bit of a learning curve. But stick with it, and you’ll be amazed at what you can create. Making your own coloring pages can be relaxing, rewarding, and even a little addictive.
Make sure you tag me if you give this a try because I’d love to cheer you on and see the awesome coloring pages you create!
See Me Turn a Drawing into a Coloring Page on Youtube:
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