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How to Remove Pages from a Coloring Book (without ripping the page!)

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If you want to remove a coloring page from a book without perforated pages, you’ve come to the right place! I’m going to show you how to quickly, easily, and accurately remove pages from a coloring book, puzzle book, or activity book without perforated pages.

People frequently try to tear pages out of books, which leaves a rough edge and can rip the page. People also try to cut pages out of books with scissors, but it’s difficult to cut a straight line that’s close to the margin. I’m sharing a way that is better and easier than either of these methods.

Text "How to cut pages out of a coloring book" next to an image of a fox coloring book for kids with two pages removed.

I read a lot of product reviews when I started publishing coloring and activity books using Amazon’s print on demand service. I look out for negative product reviews to see what people don’t like about other books so I can avoid the same mistakes.I’ve told regular readers about my printed coloring books and have my Amazon Author page set up under my real name. I’m proud of my work and I want to create the best coloring, puzzle, and activity books possible!

One of the common complaints I saw in reviews was a lack of perforated pages. People want to take pages out of coloring books to make them easier to color (this is especially true for lefties), to display their finished page, or to make activity books easier for their child to use.

Unfortunately, KDP (Amazon’s print on demand service) does not offer a perforated pages option. Luckily, I’ve worked at both a copy shop and a hobby shop so I know how to cut pages out of books easily and accurately. Let me show you how!

A children's fox coloring book shown with two pages removed, a metal ruler, and a hobby knife

Materials need to cut pages out of book

You don’t need much to cut pages out of a coloring book, or any other book for that matter:

  • Your book. I’m demonstrating using the cute fox coloring book for kids.
  • A straight edge or ruler
    • Metal is best, plastic is second best.
    • Wood can work but isn’t as good unless it has a metal guide strip
    • I use a metal ruler from this set, which was also featured in my post on how to cut out printable stickers without a cutting machine.
  • A sharp hobby knife (for example, and Xacto brand knife)
    • Make sure to use a sharp, clean blade, If there are nicks, rust, bits of old glue, etc, it can mess up your page

That’s it! You may also want a scrap piece of paper or two, but it isn’t 100% necessary.

Mr. Pen Steel Rulers, 6, 8, 12, 14 inch Metal Rulers, Pack of 4
Elmer's X-ACTO X3311 N0. 1 Precision Knife With 5 No. 11 Blades, #1 Knife
Mr. Pen Steel Rulers, 6, 8, 12, 14 inch Metal Rulers, Pack of 4
Elmer's X-ACTO X3311 N0. 1 Precision Knife With 5 No. 11 Blades, #1 Knife
Mr. Pen Steel Rulers, 6, 8, 12, 14 inch Metal Rulers, Pack of 4
Mr. Pen Steel Rulers, 6, 8, 12, 14 inch Metal Rulers, Pack of 4
Elmer's X-ACTO X3311 N0. 1 Precision Knife With 5 No. 11 Blades, #1 Knife
Elmer's X-ACTO X3311 N0. 1 Precision Knife With 5 No. 11 Blades, #1 Knife

How to remove pages from a book

This process is simple, but you will need to work carefully. Please be very careful because you can cut yourself with a hobby knife.

I recorded a quick video showing the process. The video is located below this brief step-by-step guide.

First, turn to the page you want to remove. You may want to place a scrap sheet of paper behind it. I typically do not, but I’ve had a lot of practice. You may want to be safe and add a scrap sheet behind the page you intend to cut to make sure you don’t accidentally cut through an extra sheet.

Place your ruler or straight edge along the bound margin of the page. Make sure it’s evenly spaced from the bound edge and hold it in place very firmly.

A hadn't holding a metal ruler along the margin of a fox coloring page in a book

Using the ruler as a guide, cut through the page with your hobby knife. Press firmly and draw the knife along the ruler’s edge. This is why metal is the best option – it’s easy to accidentally cut into a plastic or wood ruler.

Hold the ruler firmly to make sure it doesn’t move and go slowly so the knife doesn’t slip. Cut firmly, but not so hard that you cut through multiple pages. It sounds tricky, but take it slow and you’ll be fine. It’s difficult to apply enough pressure to cut through multiple pages at once.

Hands using a hobby knife to cut along a metal ruler in order to remove a page from a coloring book

Remove your page! Pull carefully in case you missed any spots that need a touch up cut. With practice, and a sharp knife blade, you’ll figure out how to apply the exact right pressure to get a clean cut without removing multiple pages at one.

Hands removing a cut coloring book page from a book

That’s it! Enjoy your removed page with a nice, clean, straight edge.

Hands holding cut out coloring page with a fox looking at an apple tree

You can watch the process in the video below:

I hope you found this helpful and that you’re able to easily and cleanly remove pages from your coloring books now, even if they don’t have perforations!

If you enjoy coloring books or activity books, be sure to check out the printable options here on The Artisan Life and put your new cutting skills to use with one of The Artisan Life’s printed coloring books:

Printed Coloring Books & Activity Books for Kids

Dinosaur A-Z Coloring Book

Your child will delight in coloring their way through the alphabet with this dinosaur a-z coloring book! Available in printed hard copy and as a PDF download.

Addition Facts Single Digit Addition Workbook for K-1

Help your child get the addition practice they need with this single digit addition math facts workbook for kids ages 5-7.

Math facts are basic math problems involving the numbers 1-9. In most schools, children are expected to begin working with single digit addition problems in kindergarten and master their addition facts in first grade.

This kindergarten and first grade math workbook will help your child build confidence and competence while having fun with the space themed page borders to color. They can solve the problems on each page, then color the outer space pictures! Each sheet includes a number line to help your child with their sums.

Pirates! Coloring Book: Pirate coloring book for kids & adults

Give the gift of screen-free fun with this pirates coloring book! It's a fun pirate gift idea for boys and girls or an easy road trip activity for kids.

This coloring book features 30 professionally illustrated pirates and piratical background scenes. It was designed with kids in mind, but it’s also a lot of fun for adults. Images include both male and female pirates and favorites like treasure, parrots, and monkeys.

Cute Sea Animal Cut & Paste Activity Book: Scissor skills book for kids ages 3-5

Grab your scissors and glue stick! This cute sea animal themed cut and paste activity book is a fun, screen-free activity for kids.

Your child will love cutting and pasting their way through the book and you’ll love that they’re busy working on important skills they need for preschool and kindergarten.

Robot Dinosaur Scissor Skills Activity Book

Does your little learner love dinosaurs? Do you want to give them screen-free, no-prep, developmentally-appropriate (and fun!) activities? This robo-dino color and cut scissor skills book is perfect for you and your child!

This scissor skills activity book for children 4-6 will help your child develop their scissor skills. It includes 30 pages of cut and color fun. Each page has a unique robot dinosaur to color and cut out. The completed dinosaur cut outs can be used for stick puppets, crafts, bulletin board decor, and more.

Fox Coloring & Maze Book

This super cut fox coloring and maze book has simple images and easy mazes for children 3-5.

Cute & Happy Animal Coloring Book

This book features 30 smiling animals and 30 dot-to-dot images to challenge your child's fine motor skills and power of concentration.

Cute Seahorse Coloring Book for Kids

This cute seahorse coloring book is fun for kids and kids at heart. Available as a printed coloring book and printable PDF.

Farm & Forest Animals Coloring Book

This farm and forest animals coloring book features large images for toddlers and preschoolers to color, easy mazes, and simple dot-to-dot pictures. Available in print and as a PDF download.

Animal ABC Scissor Skills Activity Book

Your child will love cutting thier way throught he alphabet and cute stuffed anmal illustrations with this scissor skills book designed for preschoolers and kindergarteners!

Coloring Books for Adults

Good Vibes Hippie Coloring Book for Adults

Good Vibes Hippie Coloring Book for adults features 30 unique images and 6 trippy mazes. Click through to preview the pages!

Fabulous 50s: 1950s coloring book for adults

Color your cares away when you escape to the 1950s with the Fabulous 50s coloring book for adults! It features 30 fantastic 50s ladies with classic cars, diners, motels, and more. The designs have just the right amount of detail to make coloring interesting without creating overwhelm.

Tropical Hummingbird Coloring Book

Take a minute to relax and unwind with this Tropical Hummingbirds stress-relief coloring book for adults! It features 30 hummingbirds and floral, tropical backgrounds to color. The designs have just the right amount of detail to make coloring interesting without creating overwhelm.

Magical Mandalas Adult Coloring Book for Women

Escape the stresses of everyday life with this magical mandala coloring book for women! Coloring is an affordable, enjoyable way to practice self-care and this coloring book makes a great self-care gift for women.

Mandala Whales Coloring Book: Stress Relief Coloring Book for Adults

Color your cares away with this mandala whales stress relief coloring book for adults! This book takes you on an ocean journey with 30 detailed pages to color with whales and zen-style backgrounds.

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natashalh - the artisan life

Hi, I’m Natasha! I’m so glad you’re here.

I’m a former classroom teacher with a Masters of the Arts in Teaching turned homeschooler & gardener. I share educational & planner printables and tips for making gardening with kids successful and affordable.

I also publish printed coloring & activity books. You can also find me on YouTube.

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