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Q & A: Help along the way.

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:

  1. DIY design and printing
  2. Pay for design and professional printing
    (brick & mortar)
  3. DIY design and professional printing
    (online)

Free Printable BookmarksOption 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.

Dollar Bill Origami Money Plant Project e-Book by Chris DunmireAbout 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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