DIY Bookmarks!
If you’re
thinking of ways to brighten up your reading time, there’s nothing better than
a cute bookmark to slip between the pages when it’s time to take a break. Of
course, there’s always Etsy, Waterstones and Barnes and Noble for your bookmark
needs, but if you’re feeling creative but you’re not the best artist in the
world, DIY Bookmarks are easier than you think.
thinking of ways to brighten up your reading time, there’s nothing better than
a cute bookmark to slip between the pages when it’s time to take a break. Of
course, there’s always Etsy, Waterstones and Barnes and Noble for your bookmark
needs, but if you’re feeling creative but you’re not the best artist in the
world, DIY Bookmarks are easier than you think.
I wanted
this tutorial to be something that anyone with any skill level or budget can
achieve. That’s why I’ve loaded this tutorial with alternatives to some of the
items I’ve used and I will link all the products that I own too. I bought most
of these items at either Hobbycraft (for the paper) and Amazon (for the
sharpies) but for countries that don’t have these stores, feel free to comment
below and I will do my best to find you some substitutes where you’re from.
this tutorial to be something that anyone with any skill level or budget can
achieve. That’s why I’ve loaded this tutorial with alternatives to some of the
items I’ve used and I will link all the products that I own too. I bought most
of these items at either Hobbycraft (for the paper) and Amazon (for the
sharpies) but for countries that don’t have these stores, feel free to comment
below and I will do my best to find you some substitutes where you’re from.
So let’s get
started!
started!
All you’ll
need for this tutorial is:
need for this tutorial is:
– Sharpies (or colouring pencils,
felt-tip pens or crayon)
felt-tip pens or crayon)
– Thick card or paper (craft store
card over 180gsm works best)
card over 180gsm works best)
– Scissors (please be responsible)
– Laminator (totally optional, but
adds a professional touch)
adds a professional touch)
First you’ll
need to find out what kind of size you’d like your bookmarks to be. I chose
bookmarks to be 2 inches to sit nicely in the book. I’m making these with A4
paper. Feel free to customise this part of the tutorial to suit your bookish
needs! In this picture below, you can see the blank piece of coloured card. If
your card is white, you can colour in your card with the sharpie, or leave it
it’s original colour. I feel like the coloured card gives the bookmark a bit
more quirkiness, but I like to play up the shade using metallics (which I’ll be
using as a POP of colour – but if you haven’t got metallic sharpies, gel pens
are a cheaper and great alternative).
need to find out what kind of size you’d like your bookmarks to be. I chose
bookmarks to be 2 inches to sit nicely in the book. I’m making these with A4
paper. Feel free to customise this part of the tutorial to suit your bookish
needs! In this picture below, you can see the blank piece of coloured card. If
your card is white, you can colour in your card with the sharpie, or leave it
it’s original colour. I feel like the coloured card gives the bookmark a bit
more quirkiness, but I like to play up the shade using metallics (which I’ll be
using as a POP of colour – but if you haven’t got metallic sharpies, gel pens
are a cheaper and great alternative).
Second,
after you’ve cut your card into a bookmark size using steady, precise lines to
make sure it’s nice and straight, you’ll want to get that pen on paper! I like
to start by adding a background. For this tutorial, I’ll be making a floral
design that’s perfect for reading a cute YA book in the sunshine. I’ll add the
colours one by one (as shown below in step 3) and fade the different shades of pinks,
purples and reds into an ombré. Be sure to add something behind the paper as
you do this to make sure that the colour doesn’t bleed through too much, as
this can happen sometimes with wet colours.
after you’ve cut your card into a bookmark size using steady, precise lines to
make sure it’s nice and straight, you’ll want to get that pen on paper! I like
to start by adding a background. For this tutorial, I’ll be making a floral
design that’s perfect for reading a cute YA book in the sunshine. I’ll add the
colours one by one (as shown below in step 3) and fade the different shades of pinks,
purples and reds into an ombré. Be sure to add something behind the paper as
you do this to make sure that the colour doesn’t bleed through too much, as
this can happen sometimes with wet colours.
Third,
DECORATE IT! This step is my favourite, when you get to add some pretty touches
to your design. I’ve opted to draw some flowers and metallic dots around the edges,
but this is totally up to you. If you’re not that great at drawing flowers,
swirls are your new best friend. They can take up those little free spaces that
you don’t want to leave blank. If you want to add quirky little sketches, those
can look so adorable, too!
DECORATE IT! This step is my favourite, when you get to add some pretty touches
to your design. I’ve opted to draw some flowers and metallic dots around the edges,
but this is totally up to you. If you’re not that great at drawing flowers,
swirls are your new best friend. They can take up those little free spaces that
you don’t want to leave blank. If you want to add quirky little sketches, those
can look so adorable, too!
Fourth is
where the magic happens. You’re ready to add your text! Personally, I love
making bookmarks that feature a nice scripted message or title, like above. Below are some bookmarks that I made as a beginner at bookmark DIY. If like me,
you’re a huge fan of big and bold letters, go ahead and write what you want to
make a statement about. For those of you who are looking for a sentence or mini
message to write, you can use alternating scripts and styles to create your
masterpiece. When you’ve written your fabulous text on your bookmark, feel free
to let it dry for a little while to make sure that your design doesn’t smudge
if you’re using felt-tips or any sort of Sharpie calligraphy.
where the magic happens. You’re ready to add your text! Personally, I love
making bookmarks that feature a nice scripted message or title, like above. Below are some bookmarks that I made as a beginner at bookmark DIY. If like me,
you’re a huge fan of big and bold letters, go ahead and write what you want to
make a statement about. For those of you who are looking for a sentence or mini
message to write, you can use alternating scripts and styles to create your
masterpiece. When you’ve written your fabulous text on your bookmark, feel free
to let it dry for a little while to make sure that your design doesn’t smudge
if you’re using felt-tips or any sort of Sharpie calligraphy.
Your final
and fifth step is totally optional: to laminate your design! I’m using a TEXET laminator for this tutorial, and some A4 pouches of the same brand. All you’ve
got to do is follow the instructions for your laminator settings and then you’re
done: you’ve made your own bookmark! Now that wasn’t too bad, right?!
and fifth step is totally optional: to laminate your design! I’m using a TEXET laminator for this tutorial, and some A4 pouches of the same brand. All you’ve
got to do is follow the instructions for your laminator settings and then you’re
done: you’ve made your own bookmark! Now that wasn’t too bad, right?!
If you’re
skipping the laminator step, make sure to let your design dry fully before
using it in your book pages because of the risk of smudging. If you’re
laminating, also wait a small while before putting them through the laminator
because the heat might make your design bleed and smudge.
skipping the laminator step, make sure to let your design dry fully before
using it in your book pages because of the risk of smudging. If you’re
laminating, also wait a small while before putting them through the laminator
because the heat might make your design bleed and smudge.
Thank you so
much for reading my DIY Bookmark tutorial! Stay tuned for another bookish
tutorial coming very soon that will feature even more ways to get creative
while you read. This post was in no way sponsored and everything was bought
myself!
much for reading my DIY Bookmark tutorial! Stay tuned for another bookish
tutorial coming very soon that will feature even more ways to get creative
while you read. This post was in no way sponsored and everything was bought
myself!
happy reading!
