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04-Apr-2005
What software makes bookmarks?
By Chris Dunmire
Q: I am looking for software to make
bookmarks to give out at book signings for my novel McKays
Island, The Beginning.
Do you have software that would do that for me? My
printer is an HP PHOTOSMART 7260. Also do you have any other software
that a writer could use at book signings? — Ken
A: Congratulations on your new novel, Ken. Bookmarks make great
promotional give-aways (marketing pieces) for authors and are relatively
easy to make.
The short answer to your question: A variety of "drag
and drop" programs in the software
aisle of your favorite computer store will do the job. Most of these
programs are packaged as "Greeting card, sign, and poster" makers
and are quite affordable. HP is one common brand.
The long answer: Bookmarks
are easy to make with software you may already have on your computer,
IF you
have
basic
design and
graphics
skills. You also have the option of going all out with your bookmark
promo piece with professional design and printing.
If you're interested in the latter, I'll cover three
scenarios/options for producing those bookmarks, ranging
from a total do-it-yourself (DIY) project, to incorporating professional
design and printing for your marketing piece. More options surely
exist, but these are the most common.
Three options for producing bookmarks:
- DIY design and printing
- Pay for design and professional printing
(brick & mortar)
- DIY design and professional printing
(online)
 Option 1: DIY DESIGN & PRINTING
Design and print the bookmarks yourself using
existing software or low-cost greeting card / bookmark creation software.
Effort: Most | Cost: Your time and materials | Quality: (Depending
on skill level) Tacky to Decent
Do you have Microsoft Word or Publisher and a graphics editor such
as Photoshop Elements or Jasc Paint Shop Pro? If so, you can use
the design features in those programs to layout and print decent-quality
bookmarks on your HP Printer.
For best results, here's some design and printing tips:
- Imported artwork should be high-resolution (300dpi),
CMYK color, tif format.
Do not use low-resolution RGB Web graphics (.jpg or .gif) because
they look terrible when printed.
- Save on paper by laying several bookmarks out
on a page for printing.
- For durability, print bookmarks on card stock paper.
For more
durability and protection, laminate bookmarks between self-adhesive
laminate sheets before trimming (also keeps ink from
running should
bookmark get wet).
- Trim printed bookmarks with a paper cutter.
If you don't have the aforementioned programs, there's plenty
of professional-grade design programs (ranging in cost) that will
do the job. These programs include Adobe's InDesign and Illustrator,
Photoshop, and QuarkXPress. Really, any "graphics" program
can be used to design bookmarks if they include type editing tools,
300dpi (or more) resolution printing capabilities, and RGB to CMYK
color management options.
If you aren't design-savvy or got lost in that
last paragraph around
"dpi", consider the next option.
Option 2: PAY FOR DESIGN & PROFESSIONAL PRINTING
Let someone else do the job.
Effort: Least | Cost: Design and Printing | Quality: Best
If you want top-notch bookmarks printed with high-quality ink that
doesn't run, pay a graphic artist to design and professionally
print them. I know, the first thing that comes to mind is
cost. This route is
certainly more expensive than doing it
yourself, but you're assured to end up with an impressive marketing
tool for your book. Think of it as an investment. And let the designer
handle all of the details.
OR, combine the best of both DIY and professional worlds
in the next option.
Option 3: DIY DESIGN & PROFESSIONAL PRINTING ONLINE
Use Web-based bokmark creation tools or templates and order
printing from the Web.
Effort: Variable | Cost: Printing Only | Quality: Best
Save money by designing your
own bookmarks and dealing with the printer yourself.
This option combines DIY design with Web-based templates and professional
printing. Best of all, it doesn't require heavy design
skills or spending money on software.
Helpful Resources
The following online resources offer free printable pre-designed
bookmarks or generators to design your own. Bookmarks are
for personal use only and retain site origination or brand
information.
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.
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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