DIY gifts have a way of making people feel special, and they don’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Handmade bookmarks are a perfect example—they’re simple to create and very practical. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through four beautiful bookmark designs, complete with a printable label to add the perfect finishing touch.
The DIY bookmark often gets overlooked as a handmade gift, but it’s a thoughtful and versatile option for anyone on your list—whether it’s a close family member or a casual acquaintance. They’re lightweight and easy to send, making them perfect for faraway friends, and they carry a subtle message of appreciation for the recipient’s intellect and love of reading. Today, I’ll show you four simple designs for DIY bookmarks, along with a printable gift label that wraps around a set of 2-7 bookmarks. These bookmarks are so stylish that your recipient might just wonder which boutique you got them from!
To get started putting together today’s handmade bookmarks, start by cutting out four pieces of 2″ x 6″ (~5 cm x 15 cm) watercolor paper. I used Strathmore 140 lb (300 gsm) paper, but whatever thick watercolor paper you have on hand will work.
This bookmark brings elegance and playfulness together with its floral motif, where bold crimson petals contrast gracefully with soft gold and bright white.
In order to make this bookmark, you’ll need the following supplies:
First, use your paintbrush and waterproof ink to paint a variety of irregular circles in different sizes, spacing them artfully across the bookmark.
Next, use the same paintbrush and a gentle touch to add tiny dots of ink around each circle.
Then, use your dip pen to draw loose petals with a relaxed hand. Be sure to use two lines for each petal, which gives the flower more delicate appearance.
Continue to work your way down the bookmark. Each flower should have between four and six double petals.
Once the petals are all done, you’ll have something that looks like this. And, at this point, you could be finished if you want to be. But, if you want to take it to the next level, it’s a good idea to add some color!
Once your ink has dried, moisten a deep red watercolor. Use it to add color to a handful of the flowers.
Then, optionally, use gold watercolor to fill in a couple of the remaining flowers.
The result? A beautiful, eye-catching bookmark with a charming floral design.
This bookmark motif is a bit of a “gimme” if you know how to write calligraphy! Simply select a short literary quote, write it in bouncy modern calligraphy, and you’ve got an engaging and pretty bookmark.
Here’s what you’ll need in order to make a bookmark like this:
To make this bookmark, all you have to do is write your quote in Kaitlin Style calligraphy. Don’t worry about spacing or centering, and feel free to hyphenate in odd places to fit the quote in the allotted space.
Once you’re finished creating the quote, write the author’s name in uppercase sans serif letters in the lower right corner.
Then, if you want to, you can enhance the quote with various simple flourishes and swells.
Provided that you know how to write calligraphy, this concept is the quickest of the four that I’m presenting to you today. So, if you’re pressed for time, skip the other designs and consider making three or four of these literary quote bookmarks to give as a gift!
The secret behind this arresting motif? A non-waterproof gel pen that blooms into a beautiful gray when exposed to water. The result is a fascinating, shimmery design that will look gorgeous in any book.
Gather the following supplies in order to make this bookmark:
Begin by using your gel pen to draw three hill shapes at the bottom of your bookmark.
Then, draw a second layer of hills on top of the hills that you just drew. Make sure these new hills start and end in the top centers of your bottom hills. Use this technique to work your way up the bookmark.
Finish up this step by filling in the tip of each hill with a rounded triangle.
Now, moisten your gold watercolor. After the water has had a minute or so to sit on top of the pigment, wet your size 1 paintbrush and use it to stir the water into the pigment. Then, use the gold watercolor to paint the tip of each hill to draw out the dark ink. Once you’ve done that, wet your paintbrush with water, and round out the shape of the dark ink. (Watch the 30 second video below for a helpful demonstration.)
Once you finish this step, your bookmark is finished!
The “mermaid scales” is my favorite motif of the bunch. Photographs never do gold watercolor justice, so don’t be fooled: this bookmark dances in the light and is a gorgeous asset to any book.
If you’re creating this bookmark for someone else, do a little research by asking them the titles of their favorite books. Then, find poignant passages from those books (generally available online), and use simple sans serif lettering to write those passages on a bookmark.
The supplies needed to make this handmade bookmark concept are pretty simple:
Begin by using your pencil and ruler to draw horizontal guidelines that are 1/4″ (6 mm) apart.
Next, use your dip pen and iron gall ink to write the passage in dense sans serif lettering on the pencil guidelines. Add the occasional thin flourish to your letters when it feels right to do so.
Once you finish writing, wait a couple of minutes for you ink to dry completely. Then, use a high-quality eraser to get rid of any pencil guidelines.
And voilà! A bookmark that will remind a reader time and time again of a beloved book as they’re discovering new favorites.
Half of the delight of any gift is the presentation! So, if you decide to make these bookmarks, consider wrapping them in a sweet “handmade bookmarks” label. You can download a PDF document containing six labels here. Then, print it on a nice, sturdy paper (I like to cut drawing paper to fit my printer for a polished look).
Once you’ve cut out a label, center it on top of your stack of bookmarks and fold it around them. Secure the label in the back with glue or washi tape, and you’ve now got a collection of giftable handmade bookmarks.
Whether you choose to give these bookmarks as a gift or keep them for yourself, I hope you enjoy the process of creating them! You can focus on making all four, or just make multiples of your favorite motif.
There’s something magical about combining creativity and practicality in a handmade gift. These bookmarks are proof that even the simplest projects can make a big impact. Thanks so much for reading, and enjoy the rest of your day!
Warmly,
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