As a tech enthusiast and a parent, I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of technology and creativity. Recently, I discovered a delightful way to blend these passions: creating custom coloring book pages for my kids using a text-to-image AI, specifically Midjourney. This journey has not only been a technological exploration but also a heartwarming way to engage with my children’s imaginations and interests.
The process started as a fun experiment but quickly turned into a family adventure. Imagine being able to whip up a coloring page that features our beloved family dog embarking on whimsical quests, or crafting scenes straight out of my children’s fantastical stories. Each page is a window into a world of our making, where the familiar meets the extraordinary.
Tailoring themes
One of the most exciting aspects of this project has been the ability to tailor themes to my kids’ ever-changing interests. Whether it’s a journey through space, exploring enchanted forests, or even adventures featuring their favorite toys, the possibilities are endless. The joy in their eyes when they recognize a familiar element in a fantastical setting is simply priceless.
But it’s not just about the fun. This endeavour has also been an educational experience. I’ve learned about the nuances of crafting effective prompts for Midjourney, selecting the right paper for printing, and even the basics of bookbinding to assemble these pages into tangible coloring books. It’s a perfect blend of art, technology, and practical skills.
Creating magic
The real magic, however, lies in the shared moments with my kids. Sitting down with them, crayons in hand, ready to color in the pages we’ve created together is a memory I cherish. It’s not just coloring; it’s bringing our collective imaginations to life, one page at a time.
Join me in this blog post as I explore the process of creating these unique coloring book pages, offering tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way, and sharing the joy that this creative venture has brought to our family.
Process and tips for creating your coloring pages/books
Creating a coloring book with Midjourney, is a creative and engaging activity for AI enthusiasts with young children. Below, I’ll outline the process in clear, step-by-step instructions to help you craft the perfect coloring book prompts:
- Identify the Intent:
- Consider why you’re creating the coloring book: Is it for educational purposes, fun, or to explore a specific theme?
- Understanding the purpose will guide the theme and complexity of the images.
- Choosing a Theme:
- Select a theme that resonates with your kids’ interests (e.g., animals, space, fairy tales, robots).
- Ensure the theme is broad enough to allow for a variety of images, but focused enough to maintain consistency.
- Keywords and Styles for Popular Themes:
- Animals: Use keywords like ‘lion’, ‘elephant’, ‘forest animals’. Styles could be realistic or cartoonish.
- Space: Keywords like ‘astronaut’, ‘spaceship’, ‘planets’. Styles could be futuristic or simplified.
- Fairy Tales: Keywords like ‘castle’, ‘dragon’, ‘princess’. Styles can be whimsical or traditional.
- Robots: Keywords like ‘friendly robot’, ‘robot animals’. Styles can range from sci-fi to cute.
- Formulate Your Prompt:
- Start with the theme: e.g., “Space Adventure”.
- Add descriptive keywords: “friendly aliens, spaceships, stars”.
- Specify the style: “cartoonish, simple lines for coloring”.
- Indicate it’s for a coloring book: “black and white, coloring book page”.
- Example Prompt: “Space Adventure, cartoonish friendly aliens and spaceships among stars, black and white, coloring book page.
- Clear Guidance and Instructions:
- Be specific in your descriptions to get the desired output.
- Use adjectives to define the complexity and style (e.g., “simple”, “detailed”, “whimsical”).
- Mention ‘black and white’ to ensure the image is suitable for coloring.
- If an image doesn’t match your expectations, refine your prompt by adjusting keywords and styles.
- Experiment and Refine:
- Try different combinations of themes, styles, and complexity.
- Use feedback from your kids to understand what types of images they enjoy coloring the most.
- Safety and Appropriateness:
- Make sure the themes and images are age-appropriate.
- Avoid complex or potentially frightening images for younger children.
- Printing and Usage:
- Once you have a collection of images, print them on suitable paper for coloring.
- Consider binding them into a book or keeping them in a folder for easy access.
Remember, the key to a successful coloring book is ensuring the images are engaging, appropriate for your kids’ ages, and fun to color. Happy coloring!
1. Choosing the Right Paper:
- Weight and Texture: Opt for a heavier, thicker paper than standard printer paper. Paper weight around 100-120 gsm (grams per square meter) is ideal as it prevents bleed-through from markers or paints.
- Finish: Matte finish is preferable for coloring as it holds crayon, pencil, and marker pigments well and reduces smudging.
- Acid-Free Paper: This ensures the paper doesn’t yellow over time, preserving your coloring book.
2. Printing Services:
- Local Print Shops: They often offer a range of paper types and can provide advice on the best paper for your project. They can also handle larger formats if needed.
- Online Printing Services: Websites like Shutterfly, Vistaprint, or Staples offer custom printing services. You can upload your images and choose the type of paper and binding.
- Specialty Services: For a more bespoke experience, look for services that specialize in custom books or artistic prints. They can offer higher quality paper and printing options.
3. Binding Options:
- Spiral Binding: Allows the book to lay flat when open, making it easier to color. Ideal for thicker books.
- Saddle Stitching: Best for smaller books, this method staples along the crease of the folded pages.
- Perfect Binding: For a more professional look, where the pages are glued together at the spine.
- DIY Binding: If you’re crafty, you can bind the book yourself using tutorials available online. Methods include stitching, using binder rings, or even hand-gluing.
4. Organizing and Storing:
- Folders or Binders: If you prefer not to bind the pages into a book, using a folder or binder with plastic sleeves can be a flexible alternative. This allows for pages to be easily removed or rearranged.
- Digital Backup: Keep a digital copy of all your images. This allows you to reprint favorites or update your collection later on.
5. Additional Tips:
- Test Print: Do a test print of one or two images to check the paper quality and how well it takes to coloring materials.
- Printing at Home vs. Professional Printing: Weigh the cost and convenience. Home printing is immediate and can be cheaper for small quantities, but professional printing offers higher quality and durability.
6. Consider Environmental Impact:
- Eco-Friendly Paper: Look for recycled paper options or paper certified by organizations like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
By carefully selecting your paper, printing service, and binding method, you can create a high-quality, durable coloring book that will provide hours of enjoyment for your kids.
Example coloring book prompts for Midjourney
Here are some example prompts that incorporate the tips for creating coloring book pages using Midjourney. These prompts are designed to generate images that are engaging for children, suitable for coloring, and align with popular themes.
1. Animals Theme
Prompt: “Friendly forest animals playing together, simple and clear outlines for children’s coloring book, black and white, cartoonish style.”
Variation: “Underwater scene with cartoonish fish and sea creatures, simplistic design, outlined for easy coloring, black and white.”
2. Space Adventure Theme
Prompt: “Space adventure, cartoonish rockets and friendly aliens on a moon landscape, simple lines for coloring, black and white.”
Variation: “Astronauts exploring a fantasy planet, with whimsical alien plants, designed for a children’s coloring book, black and white, not too detailed.”
3. Fairy Tales Theme
Prompt: “Enchanted castle with magical creatures, fairy tale style, clear and simple outlines for coloring, black and white.”
Variation: “Princess in a fairy tale garden, surrounded by mythical animals, suitable for kids’ coloring book, black and white, cartoonish.”
4. Robots and Technology Theme
Prompt: “Friendly robots in a futuristic city, designed for a kids’ coloring book, simple lines, black and white, cartoonish.”
Variation: “Robot animals in a playful setting, easy-to-color outlines, black and white, perfect for young children’s coloring activity.”
5. Nature and Scenery Theme
Prompt: “Beautiful landscape with mountains, trees, and a river, designed for coloring, black and white, simple and clear outlines.”
Variation: “A serene beach scene with palm trees and ocean waves, suitable for a children’s coloring book, black and white, not overly complex.”
6. Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Theme
Prompt: “Friendly dinosaurs in a prehistoric jungle, designed for coloring by kids, black and white, cartoonish and simple.”
Variation: “Cartoonish prehistoric landscape with various dinosaurs, black and white, clear outlines for a children’s coloring book.”
7. Vehicles and Transportation Theme
Prompt: “Assortment of cartoon vehicles like cars, trains, and planes, suitable for a kids’ coloring book, black and white, simplistic style.”
Variation: “Space shuttle, sailboat, and hot air balloon in a whimsical setting, designed for coloring, black and white, child-friendly design.”
8. Fantasy and Mythology Theme
Prompt: “Magical creatures like unicorns and dragons in a fantasy forest, for a kids’ coloring book, black and white, not too detailed.”
Variation: “Knights and wizards in a medieval fantasy setting, outlined for easy coloring by children, black and white, cartoonish.”
These prompts are designed to be clear and specific, indicating the desired theme, style, and suitability for coloring by children. They can be adjusted or combined to suit different interests and preferences.