Complete Guide to Publishing Illustrated Children's Books 2025
Learn how to publish illustrated children's books from start to finish. This comprehensive guide covers illustration creation, book formatting, Amazon KDP setup, and promotion strategies for self-published children's books.
Why Self-Publish Your Illustrated Children's Book
Publishing your own illustrated children's book has never been easier or more accessible. Gone are the days when self-publishing was looked down upon as "vanity press." Today, there's no shame in publishing your own book. In fact, many successful children's book authors choose self-publishing because it gives them complete creative control over their illustrations, story, and book design.
Whether you're an author-illustrator creating your own book, or an author working with an illustrator, self-publishing allows you to bring your vision to life exactly as you imagine it. You control every aspect of the process, from the illustrations to the cover design to the pricing and distribution.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of publishing an illustrated children's book, from creating your illustrations to getting your book listed on Amazon and promoting it to readers. You'll learn the tools, techniques, and strategies that successful self-published children's book authors use.
What You'll Learn in This Guide
- How to create illustrations for your children's book using digital tools
- Step-by-step instructions for formatting your book for print
- Complete Amazon KDP setup process from start to finish
- How to avoid common mistakes that waste time and money
- Promotion strategies to get your book in front of readers
- Tips for working with illustrators if you're not illustrating yourself
Getting Started: What You Need Before Publishing
Before you start creating illustrations or formatting your book, you need to have a few things in place. First and most importantly, you need a complete story. Make sure you have a good story that's been written, edited, and refined. This might seem obvious, but it's the foundation everything else builds on.
If you're working with an illustrator, you'll want to communicate your vision clearly. When illustrating for someone else, always send them an illustration first and get their feedback. They might ask you to move characters closer to the camera, adjust colors, or change composition. This collaborative process ensures the illustrations match the author's vision.
You'll also need to decide on your book's format. Children's books come in various sizes, but common formats include square books (like 10 inches by 10 inches) and standard rectangular formats. The size you choose will affect how you create and format your illustrations.
Essential Tools and Software
For Creating Illustrations:
- Procreate (iPad) - Popular choice for digital illustration
- Photoshop - Professional option for desktop
- Any illustration software you're comfortable with
For Publishing:
- Amazon KDP account (free to set up)
- PDF creation software (built into most illustration tools)
- Word processor for text formatting (optional)
Don't Be Intimidated
The publishing process might seem overwhelming at first, but it's actually quite straightforward once you break it down into steps. Don't be intimidated by the questions KDP asks or the formatting requirements. Everything is self-explanatory, and you can always order a proof copy to check your work before making your book available to the public.
Creating Your Book Illustrations
Creating illustrations for your children's book is where your creativity really shines. You can use any illustration software you're comfortable with, but Procreate on iPad is a popular choice because it's intuitive and powerful. Photoshop works great too, and you can use any program that allows you to create high-quality illustrations and export them as PDFs. Alternatively, you can use our children's book illustration service to generate professional, consistent illustrations with AI, perfect for authors who want professional results without the learning curve.
There are two main approaches to laying out your book pages. The first approach is to put the picture on one side and the words on the other side. This is simpler and works well for many children's books. The second approach is to create a full double-page spread where the illustration spans both pages, with text overlaid on one side.
Method 1: Picture and Text on Separate Pages
This is the simpler method. You create each page as a separate layer in your illustration software. The left page has the illustration, and the right page has the text. When you're done, you export each layer as a separate page in your PDF.
In Procreate, you can add text directly to your illustrations using the text tool. You can type the words in, or copy and paste them from a Word document if you've already written them. Each page becomes a separate layer, and you organize them so the bottom layer is page one, the next layer is page two, and so on.
Step-by-Step: Picture and Text Layout
- Create a new canvas for your book page size (e.g., 10x10 inches for square books)
- Create the illustration on the left side of the canvas
- Add the text on the right side using your software's text tool
- Save this as one layer
- Repeat for each page of your book
- Organize layers so the bottom layer is page one
- Export as PDF with best quality settings
Method 2: Double-Page Spread Illustrations
For a more immersive reading experience, you can create illustrations that span both pages. This requires more planning because you need to create the full illustration first, then split it perfectly down the center for the book's binding.
When creating a double-page spread, you need to think about where the text will go. Leave space in your illustration for the text, typically on one side. Make sure the background in that area is dark enough for white text or light enough for dark text to be readable.
Critical: Perfect Center Alignment
When splitting a double-page spread, you must split it exactly down the center. In Procreate, you can use guides to mark the exact center line. This ensures the illustration aligns perfectly when the book is printed and bound. If you're off by even a small amount, the illustration won't line up correctly.
Step-by-Step: Double-Page Spread
- Create a canvas that's twice your page width (e.g., 20x10 inches for a 10x10 book)
- Create your full illustration across the entire canvas
- Leave space on one side for text (make it dark for white text or light for dark text)
- Use center guides to mark the exact middle
- Split the illustration into two separate layers at the center line
- Add text to the appropriate side
- Export each half as a separate page in your PDF
Text Color and Readability
Always ensure your text is readable. Use white text on dark backgrounds and black text on light backgrounds. You can adjust the background color or add a semi-transparent overlay behind the text to improve readability. Test different combinations until you find what works best for your illustration.
Formatting Your Book for Print
Once you've created all your illustrations, you need to format them into a PDF that's ready for printing. This is where you'll organize all your pages in the correct order and ensure everything looks right.
Remember that in a physical book, the first page you see when you open the cover is on the right side. The cover is on the outside, then when you open it, the first page (usually the title page) is on the right. The next page is on the left, and so on, alternating left and right throughout the book.
Creating Your PDF
In Procreate, you'll export your book as a PDF. Go to the share menu and select PDF. Make sure you choose "PDF layers" and set the quality to "best quality." There's no reason to use anything less than the best quality for your book.
The PDF will include all your pages in order. Each page should be properly formatted with the correct dimensions for your chosen book size. Amazon KDP will use this PDF to print your book, so make sure everything looks exactly how you want it.
PDF Export Checklist
- ✓All pages are in the correct order (page one at the bottom of layers)
- ✓Export quality is set to "best quality"
- ✓Book dimensions match your chosen size
- ✓All text is readable and properly positioned
- ✓Double-page spreads are split correctly at the center
Creating Your Cover
Your book cover is separate from the interior pages. You'll create a cover PDF that includes the front cover, back cover, and spine (if your book is thick enough to need a spine). The cover should be eye-catching and clearly show your book's title and your name as the author or illustrator.
For the cover, you can use the same illustration software. Create a canvas that includes the front cover on one side and the back cover on the other, with the spine in the middle if needed. Amazon KDP will provide you with the exact dimensions you need based on your book's page count and paper type.
Cover Design Tips
- Make your title large and readable
- Include your name as author and/or illustrator
- Use colors that stand out but match your book's style
- Consider what your cover will look like as a small thumbnail online
- Test your cover design by viewing it at different sizes
Setting Up Your Book on Amazon KDP
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the most popular platform for self-publishing children's books. It's free to use, the quality is excellent, and it offers both paperback and hardcover options. You can also publish your book as an ebook, though illustrated children's books work best in print format.
To get started, go to kdp.amazon.com and create an account if you don't already have one. Once you're logged in, you'll see your bookshelf where all your published books are listed. Click "Create" to start setting up a new book.
Book Details and Metadata
KDP will ask you for various details about your book. This information is important for both readers finding your book and for Amazon's search algorithm. Here's what you'll need to provide:
Required Book Information
Basic Details:
- Book title and subtitle (if any)
- Author name(s)
- Illustrator name (add under "Contributors")
- Book description (this is crucial for SEO)
- Language
- Publication date
Categorization:
- Three categories that describe your book
- Seven keywords (people use these to find your book)
- Reading age range (minimum and maximum age)
- Primary marketplace
Writing Your Book Description
Your book description is where SEO (search engine optimization) comes into play. This is how people will find your book when they search on Amazon. Make sure you include words that people might search for when looking for a book like yours.
For example, if your book is a Christmas story about Silent Night, make sure you mention "Christmas book for children about Silent Night" in your description. Think about what someone would type into a search box if they were looking for your book, and include those phrases naturally in your description.
Keyword Strategy for Children's Books
When choosing your seven keywords, think about:
- Holiday or seasonal themes (Christmas, Halloween, etc.)
- Age group (toddler books, preschool books, early reader)
- Topics or themes (friendship, animals, bedtime stories)
- Book type (picture book, bedtime story, educational)
- Longer phrases like "books for children about [topic]"
Need help finding the right keywords? BookKeyword Pro can help you discover 40+ keyword suggestions, Amazon Top 7 keywords, and Goodreads tags tailored for your book.
Uploading Your Files
After you've filled in all the book details, KDP will ask you to upload your files. You'll need to upload two PDFs:
- The interior PDF (all your book pages)
- The cover PDF (front cover, back cover, and spine if needed)
Once you upload the files, KDP will process them and show you a digital preview of how your book will look. Take your time reviewing this preview. Check that all pages are in the right order, that text is readable, and that illustrations look correct.
Critical Settings: Paper Type and Color
When setting up your book, make absolutely sure you select the correct paper type and whether your book will be in color or black and white. This is a common mistake that can cost you money and time. If you select black and white when your book should be in color, you'll receive a proof that's completely wrong. Always double-check these settings before proceeding.
The Complete Publishing Process
Once you've uploaded your files and reviewed the digital preview, you're almost ready to publish. But before you make your book available to the public, there's one crucial step: order a proof copy.
Ordering Your Proof Copy
Always order a proof copy of your book before publishing. This is a physical copy that Amazon will print and mail to you. It usually arrives within a few days to a week. Don't be impatient. This step is essential.
When your proof arrives, check everything carefully:
Proof Copy Checklist
- ✓Colors look correct (not faded or wrong)
- ✓Text is readable and properly positioned
- ✓All pages are in the correct order
- ✓Double-page spreads align correctly
- ✓Cover looks good and text is readable
- ✓Paper quality is acceptable
If everything looks perfect in your proof copy, you can go ahead and publish your book. If you find any issues, you'll need to fix them in your original files, create new PDFs, and upload them again. Then order another proof to verify the fixes.
Publishing Your Book
Once your proof looks perfect, you're ready to publish. In KDP, you'll click the final "Publish" button. Your book will go through a review process (usually 24-72 hours), and then it will be live on Amazon.
After publishing, you can order copies of your book at your author price (which is lower than the retail price). This allows you to:
Sell at Events
Order books at your cost (e.g., $3) and sell them at events, book signings, or local bookstores at the retail price (e.g., $10), giving you a profit margin.
Give as Gifts
Order copies to give to family, friends, beta readers, or reviewers. This is a great way to build relationships and get word-of-mouth promotion.
ISBN and Library of Congress
When you publish through KDP, Amazon will assign your book an ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number). If you want a traditional ISBN, you can purchase one separately, but it's not required for KDP publishing. You can also register your book with the Library of Congress if desired.
For most self-published authors, the ASIN that Amazon provides is sufficient. You can always add an ISBN later if you decide to distribute your book through other channels.
Promoting Your Published Book
Publishing your book is just the beginning. To actually sell copies, you need to promote it. The key to book promotion is simple: you have to promote, promote, promote. Think of "promote" as another word for "advertise." You need to get the word out about what you're doing.
You don't always have to pay for promotion. You can use social media, word of mouth, business cards, local events, and many other free or low-cost methods. The important thing is to be consistent and persistent.
Free Promotion Strategies
There are many ways to promote your book without spending money:
Free Promotion Ideas
- •Social Media: Share your book on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. Use hashtags related to children's books and your book's theme.
- •Word of Mouth: Tell everyone you know about your book. Friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances can help spread the word.
- •Local Events: Participate in local book fairs, farmers markets, craft shows, or library events. Bring copies of your book to sell.
- •Business Cards: Create business cards with your book's cover and Amazon link. Hand them out wherever you go.
- •Book Readings: Offer to read your book at local libraries, schools, or bookstores. This is especially effective for children's books.
- •Online Communities: Join online communities related to children's books, parenting, or your book's theme. Engage authentically before promoting.
For more detailed strategies on promoting your book for free, check out our guide on Promote Your Book Without Spending Money. This comprehensive resource covers many free marketing tactics that can help you reach readers without spending money.
You can also learn about getting advanced reader copies and reviews before launch in our guide on How To Get 150 Arcs And 40 Reviews Before Launch. Early reviews are crucial for building credibility and helping potential readers discover your book.
The Most Important Promotion Tip
The most important thing about book promotion is to actually do it. Many authors publish their book and then wait for sales to happen. But books don't sell themselves. You need to actively promote your book consistently over time. Even if you only reach a few people at a time, those people can help spread the word, and your sales will grow gradually.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Learning from others' mistakes can save you time, money, and frustration. Here are the most common mistakes self-published children's book authors make:
Mistake 1: Not Ordering a Proof Copy
Some authors skip the proof copy step to save time or money. This is a huge mistake. Always order a proof copy and review it carefully before publishing. Digital previews don't always show how the book will actually look in print.
Mistake 2: Wrong Paper Type or Color Settings
This is one of the most common and costly mistakes. If you select black and white when your book should be in color, you'll waste money on a proof that's completely wrong. Always double-check your paper type and color settings in KDP before uploading files.
Mistake 3: Poor Text Readability
Text that's too small, wrong color, or placed over busy illustrations is hard to read. Always test your text readability. Use white text on dark backgrounds and black text on light backgrounds. Add semi-transparent backgrounds behind text if needed to improve readability.
Mistake 4: Not Promoting the Book
Many authors publish their book and then do nothing to promote it. Books don't sell themselves. You need to actively promote your book through social media, word of mouth, events, and other channels. Promotion is essential for book sales.
Mistake 5: Rushing the Process
Publishing a book takes time. Don't rush through the illustration process, formatting, or proof review. Take your time to get everything right. It's better to publish a month later with a perfect book than to publish now with mistakes that will hurt your book's success.
Learn from Others' Mistakes
For more common mistakes to avoid, especially related to Amazon KDP, check out our guide on Top 10 Amazon Kdp Mistakes To Avoid. This comprehensive resource covers the top mistakes that waste time and hurt book sales, so you can avoid them in your publishing journey.
