When you create printed products or marketing materials that feature both utility and creativity, you have made something very special and useful. Custom-printed bookmarks are a marvelous example of this, and it is more than worth taking the time to uncover all the possibilities that are at your book-loving fingertips.
Before we get too into it though, we know how easy it is to assume in the digital age of iPads, Kindles, Audiobooks, and other E-Readers, that traditional books and bookmarks have no place in the modern era. Thankfully, this is far from the case. Books will always remain within the cultural zeitgeist, not because of their cutting-edge technology or modern trends, but because of their timelessness and simplicity.
Libraries and social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube have also been instrumental in creating new spaces for specific titles or series to go viral on the internet. So there is still genuine interest and a need for physical books, bookmarks, and book content. If you have a platform for your creative marketing techniques, or simply love interesting bookmarks and want to explore your options, this guide will walk you through all you need to know about custom-made bookmarks (and even a bit more)!
Creative Ways to Print & Use Custom Bookmarks
Print Your Artwork, Images, or Photos
Bookmarks make a fantastic outlet for artistic expression. The combination of utility and beauty is ideal for a product that people will treasure and use on a daily basis. If you are a graphic designer or artist, take advantage of your talents by printing and selling bookmarks of your work. Bookmarks that feature images, photos, or art that you enjoy also make great networking or conversation pieces as well. An eye-catching design template or color scheme is also a fantastic starting point for this kind of creative project. Any scrap of paper, playing card, or folded corner can hold its place in your book, but developing a design that truly excites or inspires is well worth the work, because your clients are going to see it every time they sit down to read.
Create Custom Party Favors
Just like custom artwork, personalized party favors are also an amazing way to leave an impression guests will remember for years to come. This is because customized bookmarks make great take-home gifts, especially if they have been designed with a theme or festivities in mind. At GotPrint, our online design tool makes it easy to create bookmarks that feel made for your event, rather than trying to find options elsewhere that are close enough. A personal touch goes a long way to creating bookmarks that guests or customers will associate with curling up with a good read for years to come.
Promotional Marketing for Authors
You can generate legitimate excitement and buzz with a single piece of cardboard. Personalized bookmarks are your best print friend if you are looking for an effective marketing strategy to advertise your book. Not only are they simple to produce, but book readers will also appreciate that the bookmark they are using matches their new favorite book or entices them to keep reading. Don’t forget to use your bookmark design to promote your work as well. Website URLs, QR Codes, upcoming work announcements, or simple iconic branding are all great ways to build your fanbase. You can also market your newest book by posting a quote from a fascinating section to immediately pique your readers’ interest.
How to Create Your Own Custom-Designed Bookmarks
So now that you have had some time to think about how you can use customized bookmarks for your business, brand, or hobbies, how are you going to create the vision? At GotPrint we’ve made this process easy and simple for you. After you follow a few simple step-by-step instructions, carefully proofread your design, and select your preferred paper and printing options, we are ready to bring your bookmark to life!
1. Brainstorm Your Concept
When starting any artistic project, have a clear goal and intent for your work. That’s no different with bookmarks. First, you need to decide what you are developing your bookmark for. Besides the obvious use of keeping your place in your current book, you need to decide if your bookmark design is meant to:
- Show off your Favorite Artwork, Image, or Photo
- Entice Children to Read More in School
- Boost Your Personal Brand
- Develop Effective Marketing Materials
- Promote a New Book or Series you’ve Published
- Celebrate a Holiday like Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day
- Invite Customers or Guests to a Book Club
- Create memorable and useful handouts for a party or event.
These are just a few of the options that are out there as well. That’s why before starting the creative process, it’s essential to determine your target audience and your goal. That first decision will help set the pace for your entire project moving forward.
2. Do Research for Inspiration on Bookmark Design Ideas
Once you’ve determined who your target audience is and what your bookmark is intended for, it becomes easier to decide what you want to focus on. At this point, it is important to do some research and check what people have already done to get ideas for your designs. Looking at common designs, color choices, and general information is a great way to get a read on what is both popular and effective before you get to work. Besides being a source of inspiration, looking at what others have done is also a great way to avoid any potential copyright issues. If you want to sell your bookmarks or use them for purposes other than personal use, you must ensure that you are not breaking copyright laws.
3. Create Your Design
You have several options when developing digital artwork for your personalized bookmarks. With third-party design sites such as Photoshop or Canva, you can create your designs from scratch before finding a company to print them for you. If you prefer your convenience and quality control to be built into the process though, you can use GotPrint’s free, easy-to-use online design tool. Whether you want to design something completely original or use one of our countless free bookmark templates, we’re here to help promote your business, your brand, and your needs.
Our Online Design Tool allows you to upload your own artwork or photographs while customizing your bookmark and tweak the design until you’re happy with the results. Once you have created your bookmark, you will be asked to save your design to a GotPrint account. If you don’t have an account we suggest making one, because it will speed up the ordering process. If you would like some help with the design part as well, GotPrint’s professional team of designers is ready and willing to assist.
4. Pick Your Paper Specifications & Order Your Prints!
Now that you’ve completed your bookmark designs, it’s important to make sure you are choosing the right paper materials and printing options for what you’ve created. At GotPrint, we have a wide variety of choices. Our card stock ranges from 14 pt. to 28 pt. From a standard gloss finish to a modern matte look or even our ultra-thick triple-layer trifecta paper, we have paper stock for any occasion.
Although we can accommodate a large range, it’s helpful to know that the traditional dimensions of a bookmark are 2″ x 6″, 2″ x 7″, or 2″ x 8″ inches. We carry various bookmark sizes depending on the size of your novel including:
- 1.5″ x 7″
- 2″ x 4″
- 2″ x 5.5″
- 2″ x 6″
- 2″ x 6.25″
- 2″ x 6.5″
- 2″ x 6.75″
- 2″ x 7″
- 2″ x 7.25″
- 2″ x 7.5″
- 2″ x 7.75″
- 2″ x 8″
- 2″ x 9″
- 2″ x 10.5″
- 2.5″ x 8.5″
- 2.75″ x 8.5″
When you trust GotPrint’s design studio with your marketing materials or event favors, we make sure that you have plenty of room to be creative with your design!
What Kind of Bookmark Will You Make?
Your company can make it easier for customers to curl up with a good book by selling or gifting them personalized bookmarks they will use and treasure for years to come. Bookmarks are always great marketing tools for publishers and bookstores, but they are also an excellent choice for any organization or event that wants to leave a lasting impression.
With such a variety of sizes, paper stocks, images, designs, and intentions, GotPrint’s bookmark design studio is too good of a marketing opportunity to pass up. If your event, business, or brand is in any way connected to the book industry, these narrow strips of cardboard are the perfect way to produce eye-catching printed materials for whatever you need.