Contrary to popular belief, bookmarks offer much more than a way to mark your place in a book. With a bookmark, you can really express your personality, creativity, and sense of self. This is why it’s so much better to create DIY bookmarks than to just go to your local bookstore and pay for something off the shelf. Not only are mass-produced bookmarks bland (and rarely in keeping with your unique personality), but they can also cost way more than they should!
Fortunately, creating fun and cute DIY bookmarks is much easier than you may think. But if you’ve never tried to break into the world of DIY bookmarks, you probably have a few questions. For instance, what are some good ideas for homemade bookmarks? What can you add to make cool DIY bookmarks for yourself or someone else? Finally, where can you get high-quality cardstock to start your next DIY bookmark project?
In today’s guide, you’ll learn how to make homemade bookmarks from cardstock and much more. So, let’s get started!
Why Homemade Cardstock Bookmarks Are So Popular
Before the Industrial Revolution came along, nearly every bookmark was homemade. From feathers to pieces of fabric, people often used whatever they had on hand to mark their place in a book. Today, you have a lot more options at your disposal, most of which are made on an assembly line.
However, the truth is that homemade, DIY cardstock bookmarks are becoming increasingly popular once again. Why? There are a myriad of reasons, but one of the key components is the rising popularity of arts and crafts. As premade products become more expensive and less unique, consumers turn to their own skills, creativity, and know-how to make truly interesting and one-of-a-kind items — and bookmarks are no exception.
Naturally, homemade cardstock bookmarks have a personal touch that mass-produced bookmarks could simply never possess. When you take the time to put love, attention, and your own creativity into a DIY project, the end result is a true reflection of your identity and individuality. This makes it so much more enjoyable to actually use your bookmark because every time you see it, you’re reminded of the fruits of your labor!
Setting aside the sense of pride you may feel, DIY bookmarks simply give you more creative liberties to explore interesting designs and materials. You can choose from a wide range of colors, patterns, textures, and even themes when you make your own bookmarks. This level of customization means that the possibilities are virtually limitless. In fact, the only limit is your own imagination!
Lastly, homemade cardstock bookmarks are something that can be cherished by your loved ones. If you choose to make a DIY bookmark and gift it to a friend or family member (especially an avid reader), they are far more likely to cherish it and appreciate the time and effort that went into making the gift. Gifted DIY bookmarks can carry a great deal of sentimental value as well, so if you’re trying to think of a way to really put some thoughtfulness into a gift, you can’t go wrong with a personalized, homemade bookmark.
DIY Bookmark Ideas
As previously mentioned, there are endless possibilities when it comes to creating your own bookmarks. However, you might feel a little overwhelmed with so many different options and creative directions to choose from! So, to help you out, we’ve compiled some of the best DIY bookmark ideas for kids, teens, and adults:
DIY Bookmarks For Kids
- Animal Cutouts – It’s easy to assume that all bookmarks should conform to the same size and shape, but that’s definitely not the case. You can easily cut out fun animal shapes using cardstock and voila! You’ve got cute DIY bookmarks for kids!
- Fun Emojis – Even if your child doesn’t use mobile devices yet, they’re probably aware of emojis. Creating cutout emojis like laughing faces or cool sunglasses can be a fun way to surprise your kid and help make reading even more fun!
- Nature Images – You can show off your artistic talent by drawing or even painting nature-inspired images on cardstock. Just make sure to let the ink or paint dry before your child starts using the bookmark!
- Cartoon Characters – From Adventure Time to SpongeBob, there is no shortage of cartoons and cartoon characters to inspire your next DIY bookmark. But if you’re unsure which characters your child likes, be sure to ask before you get started!
DIY Bookmarks For Teens
- Inspirational Quotes – It can be tough to get your teenager to stay focused on their studies and reading activities. Adding an inspirational quote to their cardstock bookmark could offer just the kind of encouragement they need!
- Pop Culture References – While you may not be “in” on all the latest pop culture references, you can make a fun or even funny bookmark for your teenager using memes, images of their favorite celebrities, or even movie quotes.
- Photo Collages – If you prefer a more sentimental option, you can’t go wrong with some heartwarming family photos on your teen’s bookmark!
- Minimalist Designs – Your teen may not want something over-the-top that’s bound to draw a lot of attention. So, consider creating a unique yet minimalistic design, like geometric shapes or a collage of their favorite colors.
DIY Bookmarks For Adults
- Vintage Designs – Adults are more likely to appreciate old-school designs or bookmarks stylized to look like they came from decades or centuries past.
- Calligraphy – Writing someone’s name or even an inspirational quote in calligraphy is a great way to personalize a cardstock bookmark.
- Pressed Flowers – If you know someone who loves all things floral, consider collecting flowers and pressing them between layers of cardstock. Once they’ve dried, you can laminate the cardstock with the flower for greater durability.
- Shared Memories – Finally, most adults will appreciate great memories with friends or family members. You can easily add classic photos to your cardstock as a reminder of the fun times you’ve spent together!
The Best Cardstock For Bookmarks
There’s no one perfect type of cardstock for bookmarks. However, you have to keep in mind that you or the recipient of your bookmark will (hopefully) get a lot of mileage out of it, which means that you need to make your cardstock bookmark last. Thin cardstock is more likely to bend and even deteriorate over time. Ideally, you should choose a thicker, heavier cardstock (80 lbs to 100 lbs) as your base. Then, you can further protect your creation using lamination or layering
Finally, you’ll want to make sure that you get cardstock that either already matches your desired color or can have color added to it. If you plan to do any painting or calligraphy, you’ll also want to make sure that the cardstock is sufficiently thick, otherwise, you may have your paint or ink bleeding through. In the end, as long as you choose a thick cardstock from a high-quality provider, you can most definitely make a bookmark that will stand the test of time.
And remember, if you choose a provider like Fine Cardstock, you can rest easy knowing that you’re getting the absolute best cardstock on the market!
Ready to start your next project? Check out our high-quality cardstock today, and let us know how you put our cardstock to good use!