Can DALL-E make coloring pages?
Yes, DALL-E can create coloring pages through text prompts, but the process requires extra steps to convert images into proper line art. While functional, DALL-E wasn’t designed specifically for coloring pages, leading to common issues like grainy edges and inconsistent line quality. Purpose-built tools like ColorBliss offer faster, more reliable results.
How to make coloring pages with DALL-E
Creating coloring pages with DALL-E involves several steps, but the results can be worth the effort. Here’s the complete process from start to finish.
Want to skip the complexity? ColorBliss creates perfect coloring pages instantly from simple text prompts – no editing skills required. Try it free and compare the difference yourself.
Step 1: Access DALL-E
You have two main options to use DALL-E:
ChatGPT Plus ($20/month): The most reliable access to DALL-E 3. Simply open ChatGPT and start typing image requests.
Microsoft Copilot (Free): Uses DALL-E 3 through Bing. Go to copilot.microsoft.com and start creating. However, this free option has daily limits and sometimes refuses requests.
Step 2: Craft your prompt
The key to good coloring pages is specific prompting. Based on testing, these formulas work best:
Prompt 1: “Simple line art of [your subject], coloring book style, thick black outlines, no shading, white background”
Prompt 2: “[Subject] drawing for coloring book, clean lines, no fill, black and white, suitable for children”
Try these examples:
- “Simple line art of a friendly dragon, coloring book style, thick black outlines, no shading, white background”
- “Butterfly drawing for coloring book, clean lines, no fill, black and white, suitable for children”
Step 3: Download the 1024×1024 PNG
DALL-E generates square images by default. Save the image to your computer – you’ll need it for the next crucial step.
Step 4: Convert to coloring page line art
This is where things get tricky. DALL-E’s images often have grey fills and inconsistent lines. You need to clean them up:
Free option – GIMP:
- Open your image in GIMP
- Go to Colors > Threshold
- Adjust the sliders until you have clean black lines on white
- Use the eraser tool to remove any unwanted grey areas
Photoshop method:
- Duplicate your layer
- Go to Image > Adjustments > Threshold
- Move the slider until lines are crisp
- Clean up manually with the brush tool
Step 5: Test printability
Print a test page on regular paper. Check for:
- Lines thick enough for coloring
- No gaps that will frustrate kids
- Appropriate detail level for your audience
Make adjustments as needed before your final version.
Common DALL-E coloring page problems and solutions
Even with perfect prompts, DALL-E has quirks that can mess up your coloring pages. Here’s how to fix the most common issues.
Grainy, pixelated edges
The problem: DALL-E’s post-processing often creates rough, grainy lines that look unprofessional when printed.
The fix: Use the threshold adjustment in your image editor more aggressively. In GIMP or Photoshop, push the threshold slider further to eliminate grey pixels. You might lose some detail, but you’ll get cleaner lines.
Grey fills instead of white spaces
The problem: Instead of clean white areas to color, you get muddy grey fills that make coloring impossible.
The fix: Add “pure white background” and “no shading” to every prompt. If you still get grey areas, use the paint bucket tool to fill them with pure white after threshold adjustment.
Gaps in outlines
The problem: Broken lines create sections that won’t hold color, frustrating both kids and adults.
The fix:
- Use “thick black outlines” in your prompts
- Manually connect broken lines with a small brush tool
- For complex images, use the “stroke” effect in your image editor to thicken all lines
Images too dark overall
The problem: DALL-E 3 tends to create darker images than older versions, making coloring pages look muddy.
The fix in prompts: Add lighting descriptions like “bright daylight,” “well-lit,” or “sunny day” to your prompts. These help DALL-E create brighter base images.
The fix in editing: Increase brightness by 20-30% before applying threshold adjustments.
Copyright character issues
The problem: Ask for Mickey Mouse, get rejected. Ask for “cartoon mouse with round ears,” get something that looks exactly like Mickey Mouse.
The reality: DALL-E tries to avoid copyrighted characters but often fails. The system changes your prompts behind the scenes, but the results can still look like protected characters.
The safest approach: Stick to generic descriptions and avoid specific character names entirely. “Friendly dragon” instead of “Smaug.” “Space warrior” instead of “Darth Vader.”
DALL-E vs ColorBliss comparison
While DALL-E can create coloring pages, it wasn’t designed for this purpose. ColorBliss was built specifically for coloring page creation, and the differences are significant.
| Feature | DALL-E | ColorBliss |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 5-15 minutes (generate + edit) | 30 seconds (instant) |
| Bulk creation | One at a time only | Bulk generation available |
| Kid-safe content | No filtering, manual review needed | Built-in kid-safe filtering |
| Line quality | Inconsistent, requires cleanup | Clean lines, print-ready |
| Licensing | Unclear for commercial use | Clear commercial licensing |
| Photo conversion | Not available | Yes, photos to coloring pages |
| Export formats | PNG only | PNG, PDF, SVG options |
| Learning curve | High (prompt + editing skills) | Low (just describe what you want) |
| Monthly cost | $20 (ChatGPT Plus) | $9+ (purpose-built features) |
| Time investment | High | Minimal |
Why the difference matters
DALL-E forces you to become a prompt engineer and image editor. You’ll spend time learning specific prompt formulas, then more time cleaning up results in GIMP or Photoshop.
ColorBliss handles the technical stuff automatically. Type “friendly elephant,” get a perfect coloring page. No post-processing, no guessing games.
When to choose DALL-E
DALL-E makes sense if you:
- Already have ChatGPT Plus for other reasons
- Enjoy the technical challenge of prompt engineering
- Only need occasional coloring pages
- Have time for the multi-step process
When to choose ColorBliss
ColorBliss is better if you:
- Want consistent, professional results
- Need multiple coloring pages quickly
- Plan to sell coloring books commercially
- Prefer tools designed for your specific need
- Want photo-to-coloring conversion features
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell DALL-E coloring pages on Amazon KDP?
Yes, but with important caveats. OpenAI’s terms allow commercial use of DALL-E generated images, including selling on Amazon KDP. However, you’re responsible for ensuring content doesn’t violate copyright laws.
The real issue is consistency. Amazon KDP buyers expect professional-quality coloring books. DALL-E’s inconsistent line quality and time-intensive cleanup process make it challenging to create cohesive books that meet marketplace standards.
Which platform produces better quality coloring pages?
ColorBliss produces more consistent, print-ready results. DALL-E can create impressive individual pages, but line quality varies significantly between generations. ColorBliss maintains consistent line thickness, proper contrast, and clean edges across all pages.
DALL-E requires post-processing skills to achieve similar quality, and even then, results vary based on your editing abilities.
Can DALL-E create coloring pages from photos?
No, DALL-E cannot convert existing photos into coloring pages. It only generates new images from text descriptions. ColorBliss offers direct photo-to-coloring conversion, letting you turn family photos, pet pictures, or any image into personalized coloring pages.
Which option costs less overall?
DALL-E: $20/month for ChatGPT Plus, plus time investment (potentially worth $50+ per hour if you value your time).
ColorBliss: Starting at $9/month with faster results and less time investment.
Factor in the time you’ll spend learning prompt engineering and image editing with DALL-E, and ColorBliss becomes the more economical choice for most users.
Do I need technical skills to use these platforms?
DALL-E: Yes, significant technical skills required. You need to master prompt engineering, understand image editing software, and troubleshoot various quality issues.
ColorBliss: Minimal technical skills needed. If you can type what you want and click a button, you can create professional coloring pages.
Create better coloring pages with AI
DALL-E can make coloring pages, but it’s like using a race car to deliver pizza – technically possible, but not the right tool for the job.
ColorBliss was built specifically for coloring page creation, offering faster results, better quality, and features designed for this exact purpose. Try ColorBliss free and see the difference purpose-built tools make.
