Booklovers have one of several ways for marking where we stop in the books we read. Some of us would choose to fold down a corner of the page, or even—horror or horrors!—fold a page right down the middle. Others would pick whatever paper scrap is handy and insert it into the page, be it table napkin, a grocery list, or a convenience store receipt.
Of course, having bookmarks handy wherever you like reading will always ensure that you never lose your place in any of the books you read.
Places You Can Get Printable Bookmarks
In this post, we compile a list of places where you can download printable bookmarks.
1. World of Printables
In this site, you can find an almost endless array of printable bookmarks, including those you can color yourself. These make a great addition to any bookworm’s collection, or even to give away as gifts to your friends and family.
2. Botanical Paperworks Feather Quote Bookmarks
Check out this site for pretty, feather-shaped bookmarks with inspirational quotes in them. Sure beats the traditional, boring rectangular bookmark, wouldn’t you say?
3. The Cottage Market Quotes Bookmarks
Perhaps you’re looking for bookmarks with a nice, inspirational quote. The Cottage Market has just a selection for you. Make sure you have your color printer ready to enjoy these bookmarks to the fullest.
4. Hanna Nilsson Designs Coloring Bookmarks
If you’re looking for bookmarks you can color yourself, this site has a few options to choose from. What can be more relaxing than reading a book and then coloring an intricate pattern to boot?
5. Crafting Cheerfully Woodland Animals Printable Bookmarks
What can be cuter than a nicely-illustrated fluffy animal? This site gives you free printable bookmarks with this pretty theme!
6. It’s Always Autumn Woodland Animal Origami Corner Bookmarks
Printable bookmarks don’t have to be flat and two-dimensional. Consider making these origami corner bookmarks using a free printable. Just print them out and fold them to make these cutesy animals!
7. Template Lab Free Printable Bookmark Templates
If you’re looking for templates to use in MS Word or as a PDF file, this site has a few that you can download and customize to your heart’s content.
How do I make printable bookmarks?
But if you prefer to make your own, we also share some handy tips here for you.
Option 1. Use Canva’s free, customizable bookmark template.
Canva.com is a great tool for graphic artists—as well as graphic amateurs! The good news is that you can use the free version, and it already lets you create beatiful pieces to stick between the pages of your book.
Choose from one of the ready-made templates, or create your own. Add images and text as you wish, then download the file in the format you want.
Option 2. Use your Word Processing software.
Whether you use Microsoft Word or iOS Pages, a word processing software is enough for your goals of creating your own printable bookmarks.
Step 1. Create a box or a text box.
Use the add image function on your word processor to insert a box graphic. Remove fill colors if there are any at the start of our project.
Step 2. Adjust the box to the dimensions you want your bookmark to be.
In MS Word, you can pull at the sides of this box. In Pages, you will need to right click on the box, and choose “Make Editable” so you can pull the different corners to the size you want.
A nice-sized bookmark that will be easy to print should have its length equal to or less than the width of your paper or cardboard. For example, for A4-sized paper, that would be 8.27 inches paper width, minus a 1.5 inch margin. This gives you about 6.75 inches, which is the maximum length of your bookmark. That way, you can print several copies onto one sheet.
Then, since A4 paper has a length of 11.69 inches, you can take this measurement and divide it by the number of bookmarks you want to have on one sheet. First, deduct the margins of about 1.5 inches, which gives you about 10 inches left.
Consider a 6-inch by 2-inch size for your bookmark, and this gives you 5 bookmarks per sheet of A4 paper or cardstock.
Fix the size of your first box. Don’t worry about adding the four other bookmarks just yet.
Step 3. Start designing!
Get your creative juices flowing! Insert any images you would like. Add text in nice, attractive fonts and colors. The sky’s the limit!
Step 4. Replicate your work.
If you plan to print the same bookmark design in multiple copies, select all the items in your bookmark, right click and pick “Group.” This makes sure all the graphics and text are grouped together. Then copy and paste it into four other boxes.
Step 5. Print and cut!
Once you have a full page ready, print on cardstock or thick paper, and cut along the outlines.
Step 6. Optional: Laminate or add tassels.
If you have access to a laminating machine, you may want to laminate your bookmarks. Alternatively, some like to have yarn or other tassels attached to their bookmarks. If you wish to add this, punch a hole on the top of your bookmark to add this.
Creating Your Own Printable Bookmarks
Learning to make your own customized printable bookmarks can be a great way of personalizing your reading experience. They also make great gift ideas for friends and family who also love to read.
If you love to draw or paint, you can even scan your work and add them to a printable bookmark for that added touch of personality. Add a favorite quote, poem, or verse, and your work becomes a breath of inspiration and encouragement too for other people. Let your creativity soar!
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- How to Create a Workbook: Tips, Tools, and Content Ideas for a More Interactive Experience
- What Is a Book Hangover and How Can You Get Over One?
- 12 Best Adult Coloring Books: Express Your Creativity While Relieving Stress
- CVC Words for Phonics Practice: Tips for Helping Young Readers
Yen Cabag is the Blog Writer of TCK Publishing. She is also a homeschooling mom, family coach, and speaker for the Charlotte Mason method, an educational philosophy that places great emphasis on classic literature and the masterpieces in art and music. She has also written several books, both fiction and nonfiction. Her passion is to see the next generation of children become lovers of reading and learning in the midst of short attention spans.
