30 Free Bookmark Templates (Printable, Customizable)

A bookmark is a marking tool used to mark a place in a book or other printed material in order to easily return to specific pages or sections within a book or document.

They are sometimes also referred to as page markers or book flags. The tool can be made of different materials, including ribbon, custom-printed paper, leather, beads, string, cardboard, plastic, etc. Bookmarks, especially paper-based, can be customized to include decorations, classy designs, and relevant quotes or sayings. This is possible with the use of a template.  This means readers can produce their own hand-made and homemade page markers easily. 

Statistical Insights: According to a survey by the American Library Association, 88% of book club members still use bookmarks to save their reading progress. This indicates that the tools are still relevant and useful even in the digital age. 

Bookmarks have existed since the ancient Egyptian era when Coptic and Carolingian codices were used. Early page tags were made of parchment made from animal skin or leather lined with vellum. However, with the introduction of printed books in medieval Europe, they were made of narrow ribbons or silk. They were made with decorative designs to reflect the type of book.

For example, bookmarks for Bibles had religious symbols. Some markers were sewn into the books and end bands. By the 18^th or 19^th century, the tags had evolved and could be made of stiff paper or celluloid. By the Victorian era, they were being given as gifts and promotional material. People could personalize their own and use various materials to create them. 

This article compiles the relevant information you need when using a template to create a bookmark. It emphasizes the advantages, steps in designing, and tools needed to make it, like Word or Google Docs. It also outlines best practices that can be adopted to make functional and useful bookmarks.

What is a Template for a Bookmark?

A template for creating bookmarks is a blank document with a pre-designed layout or structure that you can use as a starting point to create your own customized bookmarks.

It provides a generic model or guide of the fundamental elements that should be included. It also illustrates how different design elements, such as text and images, can be added to produce unique, elegant, and professional page markers for readers. It is made such that it can be edited via different programs, such as MS Word. 

Given below are the bookmark templates:

Blank templates are incredibly useful for creating bookmarks that serve as valuable tools for avid readers. Below is a discussion on why you should consider using predesigned blank documents to make functional bookmarks:

Consistency

Templates help in creating multiple bookmarks with consistent information and design. This is because you can personalize a document and include the elements you want in it to make it useful for your needs. You can reuse it to make similar bookmarks whenever you need them.

Efficiency

If you need to create multiple bookmarks, using a template ensures efficiency and uniformity throughout the process. You can easily replicate the design across multiple bookmarks, reducing the chance of errors or inconsistencies.

Professional designs

Templates often have well-designed layouts and graphics, giving your bookmarks a polished and professional look. These can be helpful if you are creating bookmarks to promote your businesses’ and organizations’ services. 

Accessibility

Blank templates are readily accessible on the internet and can be used by anyone to create polished bookmarks without hiring the services of a professional designer. They are easy to use, so you do not need extensive design expertise to utilize them. Also, they are made to be editable with popular software such as MS Word and Google Docs.

A well-crafted template will simplify the process of creating bookmarks, whether you want them for personal use or commercial marketing purposes. While you can source one from third-party sources, you can create your own using the following simple steps:

Step 1: Choose a Design Software: 

Select a design software that you are comfortable using. Popular options include Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or even Microsoft Word or Publisher.

Step 2: Choose the right size and shape

Secondly, select the paper size of your template. This depends on the type of paper that will be used to print and the bookmark’s intended use. As a result, there is no one-size-fits-all in terms of the size and shape of the blank document. However, the common sizes used are 2 by 6 inches and 2.5 by 7 inches. The most popular shapes are rectangular, square, and round-shaped. 

Step 3: Choose the background colors and fonts

Color and fonts are design elements that can be personalized. So, select your preferred color, font type, and size for the template. You can use a solid color or experiment with gradients, textures, or images that align with your theme or style. For example, if it is meant for children’s books, you can use lively and vibrant colors like yellow, orange, or blue.

Step 4: Add text areas

Include designated areas where the text will go on your bookmark. These areas can be for quotes or brand names or any other text etc. Use text boxes or layers to create these areas, and choose fonts and font sizes that are readable and visually appealing.

Tip: Businesses can incorporate their brand into the template using a business logo, color theme, fonts, etc. This is because bookmarks can be used to increase brand recognition and awareness. 

Step 5: Add images and graphics 

Next, add visual design elements, such as pictures, icons, shapes, etc., to your template. These elements are added to make the document engaging and interesting. Select visuals that complement the theme or purpose of your bookmarks. You can import graphics or create your own using design tools. For example, for an animal theme, you can have images of puppies or kittens. 

Step 6: Consider borders or frames

Enhance the structure and aesthetics of your template by adding borders or frames. These can be simple lines, decorative patterns, or thematic designs that frame the edges of your bookmark. Experiment with different styles to find what suits your design best.

Step 7: Finalize and save

Review your template and make any necessary adjustments to ensure everything looks balanced and visually appealing. Once you are satisfied, save the template in a format that preserves its quality and allows for easy editing in the future.

There are various methods to make a professional template for a bookmark. Each tool has its benefits; therefore, selecting a suitable tool depends on your preferences and expertise in designing:

MS word

MS Word is popular and accessible to most people, thus making it a convenient tool to create your template. It has text boxes, insert options, drag-and-drop, and crop features to add or remove visual design elements to produce personalized blank documents. It also allows easy and fast saving and printing options. Lastly, it accommodates the resizing of the paper size to allow printing on different types of paper.  

Canva

A user-friendly online design tool that offers a wide selection of pre-designed templates for various purposes, including bookmarks. Canva provides an intuitive drag-and-drop interface and a vast library of graphics and fonts to create visually appealing templates.

Google docs

Google Docs is also suitable for creating a customized template for a bookmark to help you indicate where you stopped reading. While it may not have the same advanced design features as specialized design software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, Google Docs can still be used to create basic bookmark templates.

These tools are convenient as they are cost-effective and do not require monthly subscriptions or heavy fees to access. They are also readily accessible and easy to navigate for people with limited design experience.

If you find the above-mentioned tools difficult to use to create a document for a bookmark, free printable templates have been provided on this site for your convenience. They are based on animal, funeral, or verse themes. They are easy to customize and edit according to your style and preferences.

Related: Book Cover Templates for Word & PDF

Here are some tips for printing bookmarks from the templates:

Use the proper settings to print the bookmark

The printer settings greatly influence how the final product will appear once printed. Always check the paper size and orientation settings before printing your bookmark. You can print a prototype to know what the final print will look like. Adjust the settings in case modifications are needed to ensure all the design elements are visible on the paper. 

Do you know? As of 2020, the U.S. printing industry reportedly generated $76 billion in revenue. This indicates the importance of the bookmark production industry, which is part of the printing sector. 

Use the right paper and materials

Select a paper type that is suitable for bookmarks. Consider using a thicker paper stock, such as cardstock or heavyweight paper, to ensure durability. Glossy or matte finishes can also add a professional touch to the final product.

Bleed and margin considerations

If your bookmark design extends to the edges, incorporate a bleed area in your template. The bleed allows for slight variations in the printing process, ensuring that the design covers the entire bookmark without leaving white edges. Additionally, leave a margin within the printable area to avoid important elements being too close to the edges.

Hole punching

If you intend to use a ribbon, string, or tassel to attach your bookmark to a book, incorporate a hole-punching feature in your template. Determine the appropriate location and size of the hole and mark it on the template. After printing and cutting the bookmarks, use a hole puncher to create the holes.

Laminate the bookmark

Lamination can increase the durability of your bookmark. It also prevents the fading or erasing of information, thus making it possible to reference the page even after a significant period of time.  

Test printing

Always test the template before printing multiple bookmarks. Check the colors, alignment, and overall appearance of the bookmark to ensure it meets your expectations. Make any necessary adjustments to the template or printing settings before proceeding with the final print run.

A bookmark is needed to keep track of progress when reading, in case you have to take a break or are interrupted. It can be made for personal or commercial use. In a commercial setting, these tools are advertising instruments as they can be personalized to incorporate promotional messages, colors, and images. 

It is advisable to use templates to make elegant and professional-looking bookmarks. Tools such as MS Word, Canva, and Google Docs can be used to make personalized documents. Customization may include modifying the design to match the use, for example, funeral, verse, or animal-theme templates.