Note for all the Aussies that aren’t sure what this is – No charge unless I reach the goal, woo how fun!
I have a goal of turning my artworks into a mainstream colouring book in stores.
Having started my adventure, I see that this is a very tough task to get going! Unfortunately it’s a rich man’s world and I need the first print run crowd funded to get going and show evidence of sales to re-pitch the book to stores.
About the book:
I’ve put so much effort into the functionality and design of this book, the images to colour in are based on digital artworks I’ve created and am currently working on a sequel which contains paintings I’ve created. This has been years in the making.
The average colouring in book in any store you pop into is based on a cartoon character that’s currently relevant, flowers, fairytales or other average topics. The colouring book I’ve created is nothing like that!
– Greyed out lines so the user can feel like their final image looks actually drawn!
– Spiral bound so the user can lie it flat without effort.
– Reference images on the left, either to use as a guide or use as they wish!
– 1mm covers so children can colour on a solid surface when they’re on the go.
-inspiring images.
What the funds will be used for:
I’ll be printing 1,000 copies in order to get this project started. The book is 54 pages, 100gsm uncoated recycled white paper with a 1mm cover and spiral binding. 1k copies is enough to make the first round of sales and purchase then kick off the second bundle then slowly make a business and series out of this!
The final product will be $25AUD each.
Why do I need funding?
I’m super indépendant and was hoping to present the product professionally to stores and hopefully one would pick it up. I’m finding that there’s a bit of a ‘catch 22’ going on. Department stores are declining the item due to being full and book stores are declining the item based on the fact I’m self published. I’ve approached publishers and the few that accept colouring books aren’t interested in representing my book unless I’m represented by a manager.
I won’t be giving up and now have a clear idea about how to continue. I will stay self-published and print the copies and sell them in every way Ifind possible, markets, online, via insta etc.
My timeline for a turnaround is roughly 4 months I’m aiming to get the first turn around in 2 months.
What will this mean to me?
A dream come true.
Artists may be able to relate when they’re told they don’t have a “real” career. Last year I tried for a few months to rally artists to open up an unearthed store with me although I found that less than 1/10 were willing to put any money toward building their career. This is where I differentiate, I’m willing to put in the work and time to build a business out of my art. Unfortunately, I need crowd funding at this point.
The artworks I create and are used in the book will genuinely inspire the youth of today, hopefully building a new social construct on art being a “real” career prospect. I’d love to become a good example for this.
Honestly, there’s a risk that I don’t sell the items as fast as 2 months which is my aim. The challenge I’m finding so far is getting the product in stores. I believe that after I physically sell the product myself and test all the sales channels then I can go back to the stores that have currently turned me down and present to them the real numbers. Right now I don’t find a challenge too tough selling cheap items, this item includes a range of my digital artworks which people don’t want to pay hundreds for and also give the consumer entertainment. I believe that I can source some marketing via my insta. I’ll be making the first initial sales at a market I have my eye on and we all know that’s not an easy task. I’ve had experience marketing my freelancing, then marketing my art 2 years later. I’m ready to tackle to marketing once again with this product!