Have you ever wondered how to turn your digital ideas into something tangible—an item that not only looks great but also serves a real purpose? You don’t need advanced crafting skills to learn how to make a bookmark at home, just a few simple materials and a bit of creativity.
A great way to combine digital design and real world crafting is through the concept of creating your own custom bookmarks. As a project, bookmark design is a great gateway into crafting custom pieces, as it fulfills both a creative desire and a practical need. It’s aesthetically pleasing, and functional too, so it’s a win-win!
In today’s blog you will learn how to design your own bookmark using our free to download bookmark templates and of course how to print bookmarks at home or with professional services such as Aura Print. We will take you through the standard bookmark sizes, the best paper to print bookmarks on, and offer you design tips along the way, such as color schemes, embellishment advice, and common pitfalls to avoid.
So grab your favorite book, as you’ll need that for inspiration, and get ready to make your own bookmark with our bookmark printing guide!
Bookmark Templates and Dimensions: Sizes, Formats, and Print Guides
On your crafting journey to create your very own bookmarks, you will need to figure out the best place to start. As this is your project, you can start wherever you like, but a recommended starting point is selecting the format and size for your bookmarks. That way you can consider how much space you have to get creative with. Do you want to make unique-shaped bookmarks or perhaps folding magnetic bookmarks that snugly hold your page for you? With a bookmark printing template, it becomes significantly easier to visualize your project.
Fundamentally, all great bookmarks begin with a simple clean template. A canvas to catch all your creativity. Bookmark templates are a great way to visualize your ideas early. This can also lead you to develop additional ideas and help you bring multiple ideas to life.
At Aura Print, we offer the capability to print bookmarks in a wide range of custom sizes to perfectly suit your needs. However, our most popular standard sizes are 52mm x 148mm and 52mm x 210mm. Typically smaller bookmarks are favorable inside paperback reads, and the larger sizes are tailored towards hardback books, which naturally give you more space for your designs. We provide these options to make ordering straightforward and hassle-free, but we’re always happy to accommodate custom dimensions to help you create bookmarks that truly stand out and align with your unique vision or project requirements.
| Size | Description |
| Standard | 52 x 148mm (2.05" x 5.85") for a standard sized bookmark. A classic choice suitable for paperback books. |
| Large | 52 x 210mm (2.05" x 8.26") for a large sized bookmark. A great choice for larger hardback books. |
Choosing the right bookmark sizes for printing is crucial to balance practicality and design space, ensuring your final product fits neatly in books while providing enough room to showcase your creative vision. Having your mind set on a specific layout is fantastic, but the realization that you can utilize different bookmark dimensions to create special editions and variations is additionally rewarding. Whether it’s a limited-run large format for hardback copies, or a custom-sized bookmark aimed at a specific audience or theme. Embracing variety can lead to something really special for yourself and your audience.
When starting your design, it’s helpful to find a bookmark template for printing that fits your desired size and style, ensuring your artwork aligns perfectly with standard print requirements. This is why we have created our free bookmark template download which includes pre-set margins and bleed areas to help you on your creative journey. Our bookmark print template makes sure your design prints cleanly and cuts accurately every time. That’s one less detail to worry about!
Choosing the Best Paper for Printing Bookmarks
Once you’ve selected your preferred format and size, you’ll need to consider the print materials themselves. Features such as paper weight, lamination, embellishments and special finishes can influence both the look and longevity of your bookmarks.
The best paper to print bookmarks on depends on the features you wish to add to your final print design. Bookmark thickness is important here, because if you choose a paper stock that is too thick, over a prolonged period it could cause harm to your beloved pages.
This is most noticeable on magnetic bookmarks where the user has opted for magnets that are too thick, resulting in indentations in the page and potential damage to the book. This is why the magnets we provide are super slim, to ensure your page safety is paramount. We aim for 16pt to 18pt for magnetic bookmarks.
For overall bookmark thickness we recommend 14pt to 18pt to ensure your bookmarks are thick enough to function and feel premium, offering extra durability while still slim enough to not cause long term damage to your books.
You can select thicker paper stock if you wish (all the way up to 38pt), but we do not recommend keeping thick bookmarks clamped inside your book for extended periods, as it can put pressure on the pages and cause damage over time.
What Paper to Print Bookmarks On?
When selecting your bookmark paper for printing at home, or if you want to use our printing services, there are many bookmark printing papers available.
It’s important to consider the different types such as silk, matte, uncoated, or recycled paper stock, each offering unique qualities that affect print sharpness, texture, and overall durability.
For designs that need vibrant colors with a smooth finish, silk or matte paper stocks are popular options. Silk paper provides a clean, sharp print surface, while matte reduces glare, is excellent for text-heavy designs and feels soft to the touch. Gloss paper options work well if you prefer a shiny finish with color vibrancy, though these often require compatible printers.
As a dedicated print specialist, we offer a multitude of paper options, with matte, gloss and soft-touch laminations available to increase the longevity of your bookmarks. We also offer high durability materials such as Nevertear which is tear-resistant, waterproof and designed to withstand harsh conditions, and our industry leading technology means that we can cut and shape materials with ease.
For a unique style, consider digital printing on colored paper. This way your designs gain an eye-catching background that adds depth and character to your project. If you require any help with your decision making, see our detailed visual guide below on our paper types and their purposes. For a hands-on experience with all our paper types, you can pick up a sample pack.
Bookmark Design Tips: Step-by-Step Guides to Creating Custom Bookmarks in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Canva
Creating great bookmarks means balancing eye-catching design with practical function. When you design a bookmark, consider the overall theme, color choices, layout, and front/back designs to make sure your bookmark stands out and serves its purpose well. Contrast is important if you’re using text, as you’ll want the message to be clear and central to your design. Using online resources such as color wheels and harmonies will allow you to decide which color schemes you want to work with, and which colors are complementary.
By researching different methods of harmonizing your colors, you open up new possibilities for visualizing your design concepts in fresh and creative ways. Understanding how analogous and complementary schemes work allows you to experiment confidently with color relationships, helping your bookmarks achieve both aesthetic harmony and striking impact.
Once you add a dynamic metallic foil accent to your design, you gain even more creative options. Metallic foil accents can be used within both analogous and complementary color schemes to create unique and striking visuals, but there are some important extra steps you need to follow to add foil to your artwork.
Applying a foil color that is next to another on the color wheel (analogous) creates a harmonious, elegant effect that can beautifully enhance subtle design elements. Choosing a foil color opposing another (complementary) creates bold contrasts that catch the eye and stand out remarkably well. This flexibility allows you to highlight key design elements, add depth, and bring a luxurious, dynamic quality to your bookmarks beyond traditional print colors. The standout attribute of our foil is its versatility—it can be strategically placed throughout a design to achieve both harmonious and striking effects.
Returning to the theme of your bookmark design. You’ve considered the quantity you wish to print, the colors involved, the shape, and the details that match your current read, branding, or purpose. Now it’s time to create your functional bookmarks!
Ideally you’ll have access to some form of graphic design software available to assist you with your creative vision. Whether you have premium software to design bookmarks or you are relying on free software, you can certainly still get the job done and create bookmarks that reflect your creativity.
How to Design a Bookmark in Adobe Photoshop
Open Photoshop and input your canvas size (56x152mm or 56x214mm). Don’t forget to add bleed, change the color setting to CMYK, and make sure the resolution is 300dpi as shown in the image. Don’t forget to create a second artboard if you are creating a double-sided bookmark and additional artboards if you plan on adding a metallic foil to each side!
Drag and drop our bookmark design template onto each of your artboards to provide handy guidelines.
Start creating your designs! Don’t hesitate to work with multiple layers — it’s much easier to make changes when elements are separate, rather than being merged into one. Layering gives you greater flexibility and control over your final design. Lock layers that you wish to see but not interact with.
Add your text elements, quotes, artist signature, and any other final touches to the design.
Play around with color. Whether that’s with the hue and saturation adjustment or a simple brush tool, try some different color variations until you land on the perfect combination.
Don’t forget to hide the layers that you don’t want to show on the final version, such as guides and swatches if they appear on your artboards. Don’t forget the additional steps if you plan on adding a foil layer!
Finally save your design as a Photoshop file, a TIFF, or a Photoshop PDF using [File] > [Save As…] and then choose your preferred file format from the drop-down menu.
How to Design a Bookmark in Adobe Illustrator
Open Illustrator and input your canvas size (52x148mm or 52x210mm) and set your bleed to 2mm as shown in the image. To make sure your guides are visible go to [View] > [Guides] > [Show Guides]. Add a second artboard if you plan on creating double-sided bookmarks and additional artboards if you plan on adding a metallic foil to each side.
To import our bookmark design template, head to [File] > [Place…] and select the file from your directory. Make sure to select [Show Import Options] to allow you to select the correct template you wish to use.
It’s time to draw out your designs. The shaper tool and pathfinder options are quick ways to create and manipulate shapes, so spend some time familiarizing yourself with these options and play around with the results. Don’t hesitate to work with multiple layers — it’s far easier to make changes when elements are separate, rather than being merged into one. Layering gives you greater flexibility and control over your final design. Lock layers that you wish to see but not interact with.
Add your text elements, quotes, artist signature, and any other final touches to the design.
Play around with color schemes and gradients. Whether that’s with the hue and saturation adjustments or using the CMYK sliders, try some different color variations until you land on a combination that you love.
Don’t forget to hide any layers that you don’t want to show on the final version, such as guides and swatches if they appear on your artboards. Don’t forget the additional steps if you plan on adding a foil layer!
Finally save your design by using [File] > [Save As…] and choose either an AI file or a PDF.
How to Design a Bookmark in Canva
Open Canva and select [Create] > [Custom size] and input your canvas size.
Add a second page if you plan on creating double-sided bookmarks and additional pages if you plan on adding a metallic foil to each side.
To add a bleed guide to your canvas, select [File] > [Settings] > [Show print bleed].
Select [Uploads] > [Upload files] and select our bookmark design template, making sure to select the right sized template for your needs. Due to the way Canva is designed, you may need to adjust the template positioning as required to fit the canvas.
Create your design using shapes, text, and colorful background choices. Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the options available and play around with the results.
Don’t hesitate to work with multiple layers — it’s far easier to make changes when elements are separate, rather than being merged into one. Layering gives you greater flexibility and control over your final design. Lock layers that you wish to see but not interact with.
Add your text elements, quotes, artist signature, and any other final touches to the design.
Play around with color schemes and gradients. Try some different color variations until you land on a combination that inspires you.
Don’t forget to remove any layers that you don’t want to show on the final version, such as guides if they appear on your artboards. Don’t forget the additional steps if you plan on adding a foil layer!
Once you are happy with your complete design, head to [Share] > [Download] > [PDF Print] to save your file on your device.
How to Print Your Own Bookmarks: At Home or With Professional Services
If you’re printing bookmarks at home, make sure to use a good quality, thick paper stock ideally in the 10-14pt region. Thicker paper stocks may cause issues for some home printers, so be sure to check your printer settings for more information. Print single-sided first as a test, then print double-sided by feeding the paper through the printer carefully for alignment. It may take some trial and error, and with the range of different paper types and printers available, results may vary—especially when learning how to print double-sided bookmarks.
Adjustments to settings, alignment, and paper handling are often necessary to achieve the perfect finish. Check our user-friendly guides for printing bookmarks from Canva and the Adobe suite.
Don’t forget to laminate your bookmarks if you want extra durability and a professional finish—this can be done with a laminating machine or self-adhesive laminating sheets. After laminating, trim your bookmarks carefully and optionally round the corners for a polished look.
Printing Your Bookmarks at Home
If you’re printing bookmarks at home, make sure to use a good quality, thick paper stock ideally in the 250-300gsm region. Thicker paper stocks may cause issues for some home printers, so be sure to check your printer settings for more information. Print single-sided first as a test, then print double-sided by feeding the paper through the printer carefully for alignment. It may take some trial and error, and with the range of different paper types and printers available, results may vary—especially when learning how to print double-sided bookmarks. Adjustments to settings, alignment, and paper handling are often necessary to achieve the perfect finish. Check our user-friendly guides for printing bookmarks from Canva and the Adobe suite.
Don’t forget to laminate your bookmarks if you want extra durability and a professional finish—this can be done with a laminating machine or self-adhesive laminating sheets. After laminating, trim your bookmarks carefully and optionally round the corners for a polished look.
Professional Bookmark Printing Services and Options
For a high-quality finish and rapid turnaround, Aura Print offers a full catalog of premium paper stocks and expert finishes, including matte, gloss, and soft-touch lamination. When you upload your print-ready files through our easy-to-use website, our friendly and experienced design team review your artwork for print-specific issues like bleed and alignment—ensuring your bookmarks print perfectly every time. With our streamlined proofing and fast production process, your order is meticulously printed, thoroughly checked, expertly packed, and dispatched quickly, giving you a reliable service that prioritizes consistency, quality, and customer care at every step.
FAQ's
What Is the Best Paper for Bookmarks?
The best paper to print bookmarks on is typically between 14pt and 18pt, offering durability and a premium feel without being too thick to damage book pages. Silk and gloss paper stocks are popular choices for vibrant colors and professional finishes. For added protection, consider laminated options or specialty materials like Nevertear for waterproof, tear-resistant bookmarks. See our complete guide on bookmark printing paper types for more information.
How Do I Print Bookmarks in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator?
To print bookmarks in Adobe software, start by setting up your canvas to the correct dimensions (such as 52mm x 148mm or 52mm x 210mm) with 2mm bleed and 300 DPI resolution in CMYK color mode. Follow the detailed design steps outlined in our step-by-step guide featured above, then save your completed design as a PDF or native file format. For home printing, adjust your printer settings to accommodate card stock thickness and always run test print alignments before committing to your final batch!
Can I Print Bookmarks at Home?
Yes, you can absolutely print bookmarks at home with a standard printer, suitable card stock, and our free bookmark templates. Choose paper between 10-14pt for best results, though check your printer's specifications as some may not handle thicker papers. You'll need design software (Adobe, Canva, or alternatives) and optionally a laminator and corner rounder for professional finishing touches. For higher volumes or premium finishes like foiling or soft-touch lamination, professional printing services take away the hard work and offer superior results with expert quality assurance.
How Do I Print Double-Sided Bookmarks at Home?
To print double-sided bookmarks, first ensure your front and back designs are correctly aligned in your design software. Print the first side on quality card stock (10-14pt recommended), allow the ink to dry completely, then carefully re-feed the paper through your printer for the reverse side. Test alignment with plain paper first, as different printers handle double-sided printing differently. Check your printer manual for specific double-sided printing capabilities and paper thickness limits.
The best paper to print bookmarks on is typically between 14pt and 18pt, offering durability and a premium feel without being too thick to damage book pages. Silk and gloss paper stocks are popular choices for vibrant colors and professional finishes. For added protection, consider laminated options or specialty materials like Nevertear for waterproof, tear-resistant bookmarks. See our complete guide on bookmark printing paper types for more information.
Ready to Print Your Perfect Bookmarks?
Creating your very own custom bookmarks brings together the best of digital design and practical crafting, giving you beautiful, functional pieces you'll treasure with every read. Throughout this guide, you've learnt how to design and print bookmarks from start to finish. From selecting the perfect bookmark size, choosing the best bookmark printing paper, and mastering custom bookmark design in popular software like Adobe and Canva.
Whether you decide to print your own bookmarks at home for a personal project or explore professional bookmark printing services for premium finishes and larger quantities, you now have all the tools and knowledge to bring your creative vision to reality. Remember to download our free bookmark print templates to ensure your designs meet professional printing standards every time.
Ready to transform your designs into stunning, tangible bookmarks? Contact Aura Print today for expert advice, premium materials, and a printing service that prioritizes quality and customer care at every step. Your perfect bookmarks await!
