How to Make Your Own Bookmarks

(Card Stock paper optional)  Computer with internet account  Printer  Laminator (optional)  Canva account (free)  Adobe Acrobat Reader (free)

Design and print your own bookmarks using these instructions. To make a bookmark that will stand the test of time, consider laminating it. You can use the computers at the to design and print the bookmarks.

1. Create a free account on the website www.canva.com

2. On Canva after creating an account, do a search for bookmarks or create a design using a custom size of 2x6, 2x7 or 2x8 depending on how long you want the bookmark, 2 inches wide and 6,7,8 inches long. Make note that you will want to change the default measurement from pixels to inches

3. After searching for a bookmark or creating your own custom size, you will see some template samples you can start from. You can always design one using the elements that Canva provides, but for this walkthrough we will use one of their premade templates.

4. In this sample I will use the template Is An Adventure. By clicking on the text you can change what it says, the size of the font as well as the color of the font (see images below). Other elements, such as the grass, clouds and the deer can be replaced as well by clicking on them.

5. To replace parts of the bookmark, you can use the sidebar on the left side of the screen. Choose from photos, images and text that Canva provides. You can even upload your own photos and images.

6. Change out all of the elements or keep whichever ones you like. In this example I changed out the picture of the deer and the grass and replaced it with new text, two people and a cityscape background. I kept the clouds and the background color.

7. When you’re satisfied with the front of the bookmark, you have the option of creating an image on the other side. Simply duplicate the page by clicking on the Plus symbol inside the two squares and a copy of the bookmark will be created.

8. For the other side of the bookmark, simply design it using the copy you just created or keep it the same. In this example I took out all of the elements and added an image of the sun and positioned it at the top right. I also added text at the bottom and changed the background color.

9. When you’re satisfied with the bookmark you created, make sure to download a printable PDF version. In the upper right corner click on Download and on the file type, choose PDF Print and then click Download.

10. If you have Adobe Acrobat Reader, open the downloaded PDF with Adobe Acrobat and click on the printer icon. Make sure that “Print On Both Sides of Paper” is clicked on and print out the bookmark.

11. To make the bookmark more durable, consider using card stock when out the bookmark. If you have a laminator, you can use that to laminate the bookmark and make it more durable. Carefully cut out the bookmark.

If you have a bookmark design that you would like to share with others, please send it us and we can post it on our website. Please send it to [email protected]