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22-May-2005
Free Downloadable Bookmark Templates
Q. I want to help my little girls make bookmarks with their
own pictures on them to use as presents for Christmas. Do you have
any
free downloadable templates? — Gail
A. Homemade bookmarks are such a thoughtful gift
idea and are really fun to make. Now Gail, I’m not clear if
you’re
looking for simple blank templates to download or online generators
with
templates
you
can
upload your pictures to design online. So here’s some information
about both.
DOWNLOADABLE TEMPLATES
The Creativity Portal indeed has a page of blank bookmark templates
(3 per page) you may download and print for this project. The blank
bookmarks are 2” x 8”, but may be trimmed down if you
wish to create a smaller bookmark size.
Download the Blank Bookmark Templates
PDF 160KB
Once downloaded, print the page on heavy paper or card stock and
trim the bookmarks to the desired size (for best results, cut with
a paper trimmer).
Make Your Own Templates
As an alternative, you can easily create your own blank bookmark
template by measuring out the desired size you want on heavy paper
or card stock with a pencil and ruler.
Common rectangular bookmark dimensions are:
- 2” x 6”
- 2” x 7”
- 2” x 8”
- 2 1/4" x 6 3/4"
When you design your own bookmark template, you have the advantage
of customizing its shape and size. For instance, instead of a plain
rectangular bookmark, add flair with a custom “die cut” such
as a curved edge or wavy sides. Use a French curve, an old lid, or
other flexible item to trace unique cuts. Then, use a craft or X-ACTO
knife with a sharp blade to cut out the bookmark design. You can
also use those fun border scissors (like Fiskars Paper Edgers) to
cut unique edges on your bookmark.
FREE ONLINE TEMPLATES AND GENERATORS
Also worth mentioning are the multiple free online bookmark generators
that allow you to design your bookmarks online. Some let you add
your own text and images, while others offer pre-designed bookmarks.
The drawback of many of these free offerings is the final product
often bears the branding of the site it came from and prints as a
low-quality Web graphic.
The Creativity Portal has a resource page for free online templates
and generators here: Free
Printable Bookmarks & Generators
For more technical information about designing your own bookmarks
with software, you may want to read this previous Q & A
article: Software
for Making Bookmarks
DECORATING YOUR BOOKMARK
Photos and pictures make wonderful homemade bookmark embellishments.
A few other ideas include rubber stamping, collage or decoupage,
drawing, painting, or “mixed media” of some or all of
these.
If you’re worried about any of these methods not being “clean” enough
to end up between the pages of a book, here are two things you can
do:
- Laminate your finished bookmark between two pieces of self-adhesive
laminate paper (found in office supply stores).
OR
 Create
your bookmark art traditionally, and then scan it into your computer.
Import the scanned art into a graphics program (such as Photoshop
or Paint Shop Pro) and digitally lay out and design your bookmark.
An
example of how I used this method is seen in the (scaled down)
bookmark to the right.
The artwork came from a picture I painted and collaged, scanned
into my
computer, and imported into Photoshop. I then used the program’s
type editing tools to add poetic text to my bookmark.
After I finished my bookmark design, I
printed it out on my inkjet printer. When it completely dried,
I laminated it (see #1). •
Helpful Resources Creativity
Portal Free Bookmark Templates
PDF 160KB
Three 2” x 8” blank rectangle bookmarks to download
and print. Trim for smaller bookmark size. Use for collage,
mixed media, and other bookmark making fun.
How to
Design Your Own Bookmarks
If you are interested in designing your own high-quality bookmarks for promotional
give-aways or just for fun, this Q & A article contains some useful advice
about bookmark creation software and other graphic design programs you can use
to design
your
own high-quality
bookmarks
at home.
Create
Your Own Collage Bookmarks
Using Creativity Portal's Collage Cubie project technique, you can create one-of-a-kind
collage art for homemade bookmarks.
Creativity
Portal Free Bookmark Resource Page
Custom made and do-it-yourself bookmarks to design and print
from the Web. Features online bookmark generators, and bookmark
templates for Microsoft
Word and other popular software programs.
© Chris Dunmire. All rights reserved.
Creativity Portal hopes you enjoyed this feature, which is copyright © Chris Dunmire and not available for reprint on your Web site, blog, or publication. Please respect the creator's copyright by not duplicating this material elsewhere.
 About the Author | More by Chris Dunmire
Chris Dunmire is an artist, humorist, workshop facilitator, and the driving force behind the Creativity Portal Web site. Chris trained as a creativity coach with Eric Maisel, Ph.D. and inspires people of all ages with her Web sites and printable playbooks — including the world-famous Dollar Bill Origami Money Plant.
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