Bookmarks aren’t just for saving your place in a book. They can be used as promotional giveaways, coupons, loyalty cards, gift tags, event tickets, recipe cards, souvenirs, product inserts, and more.
For businesses, schools, organizations, and events, custom bookmarks are an affordable way to share useful information while giving people something they’re likely to keep.
Below, we’ll look at creative bookmark uses, what you can put on a bookmark, and simple design ideas for creating your own.
Why Custom Bookmarks Still Work
Custom bookmarks are:
- Affordable and easy to distribute
- Practical (people actually keep them)
- Perfect for branding and promotions
- Great for events, gifts, and community outreach
Unlike digital ads, bookmarks stay in people’s hands longer—making them a powerful, underrated marketing tool.
What Are Bookmarks Used For?
Most people think bookmarks are only used to save a page in a book, but they serve many other purposes.
Custom bookmarks are commonly used for:
- Reading and educational programs
- Business promotions
- Customer loyalty programs
- Event invitations
- Fundraising campaigns
- Product inserts
- Gift tags
- Classroom rewards
- Church outreach materials
- Tourism and souvenir merchandise
Because bookmarks are useful and easy to keep, they often stay visible much longer than flyers or brochures.
Follow this simple 5-step guide to creating functional bookmarks:
- Step 1: Start by downloading a customizable online bookmark template, like on OvernightPrints.com. These free templates are pre-formatted for printing to make things easier.
- Step 2: Customize your design. Be sure to follow the template guides for the safe zone and bleed. Once your design is complete, place your order.
- Step 3: Get decorative rope or ribbon from a local craft store.
- Step 4: Using a one-hole punch, create a single hole at the top of your bookmark.
- Step 5: Thread the ribbon into a square knot (both ends through the hole, then through the loop). Beautiful!
Bookmarks as creative gifts
Get personal with custom bookmark gifts for major holidays and occasions.
- Gift tags: Use bookmarks as themed gift tags for special occasion gift-giving, such as birthdays, weddings, holidays and special ceremonies.
- Save-the-date: Remind guests about upcoming parties, weddings and other events by designing customized save-the-date bookmarks.
- Souvenirs: Custom bookmarks with scenic panoramic photos of famous landmarks, stunning nature scenes and local attractions are the perfect pocket-size gift.
- Holiday favors: Design bookmarks around upcoming holiday and give as gifts to avid readers, potential clients, relatives and school teachers.
- Birth announcement: Create personalized keepsakes to announce baby’s arrival. Include the newborn’s name, date of birth and birth information to share with family and friends.
- Personalized gifts: Make special gifts for friends and clients with a favorite quote, song lyric, memorable photo or your company tag line.
- Recipe cards: Great for foodies, share food recipes and cherished family dishes to be a hit in the kitchen.
What Can You Use as a Bookmark? 10 Creative Alternatives
If you don’t have a traditional bookmark, you can use photos, postcards, ticket stubs, greeting cards, business cards, recipe cards, art prints, mini calendars, or other thin paper items.
While professionally printed bookmarks create the best impression, people have used countless creative alternatives over the years.
Popular bookmark ideas include:
- Printed photos
- Ticket stubs
- Greeting cards
- Postcards
- Laminated quotes
- Recipe cards
- Art prints
- Business cards
- Mini calendars
- Custom-designed bookmarks
For businesses, custom bookmarks provide the same functionality while also promoting a brand, event, or special offer.
What Should You Put on a Bookmark?
What you put on a bookmark depends on whether you’re creating it as a personal keepsake, gift, or marketing tool. The best bookmark designs keep the message simple while giving people something useful or memorable.
For a personal bookmark, consider adding:
- A favorite quote or short message
- A personal photo or illustration
- Your name or the recipient’s name
- An important date, such as a birthday or anniversary
- A motivational message
- A favorite book quote
- Custom artwork or photography
For a business or promotional bookmark, you can include:
- Your business logo and tagline
- Website or contact information
- A QR code linking to your website, menu, event, or special offer
- Social media handles
- A coupon or discount code
- Loyalty program details
- A short list of products or services
- A clear call to action
For example, a coffee shop could turn a bookmark into a loyalty card with a “Buy 9, Get 1 Free” offer. A real estate agent could add a QR code linking to current listings. Schools and libraries can include reading challenges or motivational quotes, while retailers can add a discount customers can use on their next purchase.
Whatever you choose, avoid overcrowding the design. Focus on one main message and make important information easy to find and read.
Bookmarks as money-makers
Grow revenue with marketing bookmarks that attract business.
- Sellable art: Print paintings and drawings on bookmarks to raise money at arts & craft fairs or for fundraisers.
- Jewelry holder: Repurpose bookmarks as jewelry holders for earrings and bracelets to sell in store.
- Loyalty punch cards: Create customer loyalty or punch cards to encourage repeat business. Customers can also pass along the bookmark to share referral discounts.
- Hang tag: Design as a hang tag for clothing to list the price or description, and provide care instructions on the backside.
- Coupon: Use double-sided bookmarks as business cards to advertise your products or services with a promotional offer or special pricing.
- Social card: Drive traffic to your website with social cards listing all your social media platforms and handles.
- Marketing tool: Attract business with photographs of your business and products on marketing bookmarks.
- Event tickets: Bookmarks are an affordable alternative to custom ticket printing, and customers will walk away with a keepsake after the affair.
- Gate-fold Business Cards: Need eye-catching business cards for networking? Create your own gate-fold business cards using bookmarks.
- Download a template and design your bookmarks as if they were greeting cards.
- Split the template into two equal design spaces. Be sure to check for proper bi-fold orientation specs before finalizing your design.
- Fold the bookmark down the center to make a custom gate-fold business card.
Bookmarks to promote community events
Schools and libraries can use bookmarks to encourage reading, or inspire church attendance and participation in community events.
- Schools or libraries: Encourage kids to read by giving away colorfully designed bookmarks that feature favorite children’s authors or characters.
- Churches: Promote your organization with specialty bookmarks. Include bible verses, service times or inspiring quotes.
- Local organizations: Design bookmarks that showcase the unique aspects of the town or city. Incorporate photos of community events, restaurants and popular attractions.
Creative Bookmark Design Ideas
The most effective bookmarks combine functionality with creativity.
Ideas include:
Die-Cut Shapes
Design bookmarks in the shape of products, mascots, landmarks, or logos.
Interactive Bookmarks
Add QR codes that link to discounts, websites, videos, or event registrations.
Educational Bookmarks
Include reading tips, vocabulary words, study guides, or reference information.
Artistic Bookmarks
Feature illustrations, photography, paintings, or custom artwork that users want to keep.
Seasonal Bookmarks
Create designs for holidays, school events, book fairs, and community celebrations.
The more useful or visually appealing a bookmark is, the longer it tends to stay in circulation.
Common Mistakes When Designing Bookmarks
- Too much text → hard to read
- Weak design → gets ignored
- No clear purpose (gift vs marketing)
- Low-quality printing
Fix: Keep it clean, useful, and visually appealing.
Simple Bookmark Formula That Works
Use this structure:
- Front: Visual + message
- Back: CTA (website, offer, social)
Examples:
- “10% off your next visit”
- “Follow us for more”
- “Visit our store today”
Test it:
If someone keeps it → it’s working.
Short Quotes That Work Well on Bookmarks
Adding a quote can make a bookmark more memorable and increase the likelihood that people keep it.
Examples include:
- “A reader lives a thousand lives.”
- “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”
- “Books open doors.”
- “Never stop learning.”
- “Adventure begins on the next page.”
- “Every story starts with a single page.”
For branded bookmarks, pair a short quote with your logo and contact information to create a useful keepsake that customers will revisit.
FAQ
What are bookmarks used for?
Bookmarks are traditionally used to save your place while reading, but they can also be used for marketing, promotions, gifts, events, loyalty programs, fundraising, product inserts, and educational materials.
What can you use as a bookmark?
You can use photos, postcards, greeting cards, ticket stubs, business cards, recipe cards, art prints, or other thin paper items as bookmarks. For something more durable, custom printed bookmarks are designed to fit easily inside books, planners, and notebooks.
What should you put on a bookmark?
You can put a quote, photo, illustration, name, important date, or short message on a personal bookmark. For a business bookmark, consider adding your logo, website, QR code, contact information, social media handle, discount, or call to action.
Are bookmarks effective for marketing?
Yes. Custom bookmarks can work as promotional giveaways because they are practical, affordable, and easy to distribute. Businesses can add QR codes, special offers, contact information, or loyalty rewards to encourage customers to take action.
Can bookmarks be used as business cards?
Yes. Bookmarks can be used as an alternative to traditional business cards. Their larger format provides extra space for your logo, contact information, services, QR codes, promotional offers, and other important details.
What are some creative ways to use bookmarks?
Bookmarks can be turned into loyalty cards, coupons, gift tags, save-the-dates, event tickets, recipe cards, product hang tags, souvenirs, mini calendars, fundraising products, and promotional giveaways.
What size should a bookmark be?
Bookmarks commonly range from 2″ × 6″ to 2″ × 8″. The best size depends on your design and how you plan to use the bookmark.
Are bookmarks good promotional giveaways?
Yes. Bookmarks are lightweight, affordable, easy to distribute, and useful enough for people to keep. They can be handed out at trade shows, schools, libraries, bookstores, local businesses, and community events.
Visit OvernightPrints.com to create custom bookmarks.
