Behind the Scenes at Steff Pelt: Where Our Ideas Really Come From!

Have you ever opened a coloring or activity book and wondered, “How did someone dream this up?” At Steff Pelt, every playful maze, intricate mandala, or whimsical doodle starts with a mix of coffee, curiosity, and a genuine passion for sparking joy. Today, I’m taking you right into our creative kitchen—sharing how ideas go from brain flashes to finished pages, plus a handy secret for fellow creators at the end!

The Spark: Where Ideas Begin

No two days at Steff Pelt look the same, but most start with one question: What does our community need right now? Inspiration strikes from:

• Watching a parent and kid share a cozy coloring session

• Seeing adults decompressing with a pile of colored pencils after work

• Noticing what’s trending—a love of nature themes, bold patterns, or those “cozy vibes” everyone craves

Sometimes, all it takes is a walk outside, a chat with friends, or even reading feedback from our awesome customers to set off a creative idea. We’re always asking ourselves, “How can we bring more imagination and fun to the table?”

From Inspiration to Sketch

Once that creative spark hits, it’s time to map things out. Here’s how a typical Steff Pelt project unfolds:

1. Theme Brainstorming
   We run idea jams where “no idea is too weird.” Fantasy forests? Yes! Cookie-shaped mazes? Also yes. We list playful prompts, research what kinds of activities (word searches, coloring pages, logic puzzles) resonate most for different ages, and choose the most exciting themes.

2. Visual Storyboarding
   Turning ideas into visuals means mood boards galore. We gather inspiration from books, classic children’s illustrations, design websites, and even nature. It’s a visual feast!

3. Sketching and Drafting
   Before anything goes digital, it usually starts as a messy doodle or pencil sketch. This rough work helps us spot what’s fun, what could be trickier (hey, we want you to enjoy it!), and how to balance beauty with play.

4. Balancing Fun and Challenge
   For kids’ activities, we focus on building skills without frustration: number puzzles with positive feedback, coloring pages that spark confidence, and games that feel like play, not homework. For adults, the goal is mindful, relaxing engagement, with just enough intricacy to keep things interesting.

Digital Magic: The Production Process

After sketches get the thumbs-up, it’s time to go digital! Here’s how we make sure each book feels special:

• Polishing Artwork
  Sketches are cleaned up in our favorite design software and turned into smooth, printable art. Each tiny detail—curves, shapes, and patterns—is checked and tweaked.

• Testing Activities
  Every puzzle and drawing is road-tested by real people (and often, their kids, friends, or partners!). If anything’s confusing or not-so-fun, back to the drawing board it goes.

• Getting Feedback
  We love a good feedback loop. Test users’ reactions tell us what’s working, what could be better, and what surprises people the most.

Color, Create, and Play—For Everyone

One thing we stand by at Steff Pelt: creativity is for everyone. Our books are made with families, solo colorers, educators, and lifelong doodlers in mind. We love hearing about grandparents and grandchildren coloring together, people using our pages as part of their mindfulness routines, or busy parents using activity sheets for a little peace during family dinner prep.

And because not everyone wants to wait for shipping, many of our most-loved creations are available as instant digital downloads. Whether you like to print at home or order a spiral-bound edition, we want coloring and activities to fit your life, not the other way around. (Find our latest digital printables here: Digital Activity Books.)

The Secret Sauce: Inspiration from Trusted Resources

Okay, let’s get real for a second. You know how some coloring pages look so crisp, dynamic, and fresh? One of my biggest tricks is using illustration resources that save hours while sparking new ideas.

Most of the illustrations I love working with and adapting for Steff Pelt books come from The Publishers Vault. It’s a goldmine of high-quality, commercial-use art and assets—perfect whether you’re a designer, teacher, or fellow creative looking to start your own project.

If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could do this too,” you totally can. Here’s my affiliate link to test out The Publishers Vault and see how much fun it is to design, customize, and get inspired: Check out The Publishers Vault.

Always Something New on the Horizon

We’re always listening, experimenting, and dreaming up fresh ideas. Whether it’s the next coloring collection, a quirky new puzzle format, or a set of creative printables for quiet afternoons, feedback from you is what shapes our creative direction.

So, next time you grab a Steff Pelt book or print a new activity pack, know that it’s born out of play, experimentation, and a big love for helping others unwind and express themselves.

Want to peek at our latest? Hop over to Steff Pelt’s shop or dive into our thoughts on why coloring is the ultimate relaxation tool in 2025 right here: Why Adult Coloring Books Are the Ultimate Stress Relief Tool in 2025.

Thanks for joining me behind the scenes—happy coloring, creating, and playing!