1. How to Design a Bookmark: Tips for Branded Bookmark Printing

    Bookmarks are one of the most underrated promotional print products available. They're practical, they last, they're handled repeatedly and — unlike a flyer — they're actively sought after and kept rather than discarded. For bookshops, libraries, schools, publishers, charities and any business that wants a cost-effective branded giveaway with genuine utility, a well-designed printed bookmark is hard to beat.

    In this guide, we share the key principles for designing a bookmark that looks great, works practically and keeps your brand in hand every time someone picks up a book.

    Standard Bookmark Dimensions

    Bookmarks are typically long and narrow — the classic format is approximately 50×150mm or 55×170mm, though custom sizes are available. The narrow format fits between the pages of most standard books and sits naturally in the hand. When setting up your artwork, check the exact dimensions for your chosen size and set up with 3mm bleed on all sides.

    Design Principles for Bookmarks

    Work with the Format

    The tall, narrow format of a bookmark naturally creates a vertical design hierarchy — headline or brand element at the top, supporting content in the middle, call-to-action or contact details at the bottom. Work with this natural flow rather than against it. Horizontal layouts, complex multi-column designs and large blocks of small text all fight the format and produce cluttered, difficult-to-read results.

    Keep It Simple

    A bookmark is a small canvas. The most effective bookmark designs use one strong visual element, a clear brand identity and minimal text. A beautiful image or illustration, your logo and a single line of contact information is often all a bookmark needs. Resist the temptation to fill the space — white space on a bookmark looks considered and premium.

    Make It Beautiful

    Unlike most promotional print, a bookmark is kept because it's genuinely useful and — ideally — because it's attractive enough to want to hold onto. Design with this in mind. A bookmark that looks like a piece of advertising will be used and then discarded. A bookmark that looks like something worth keeping will be used indefinitely.

    Include a Clear Brand Identity

    Your logo and brand colours should be immediately recognisable on the bookmark. For promotional bookmarks, also include your website URL or a QR code — every time someone uses the bookmark, they have your contact details in hand.

    Consider Both Sides

    Double-sided printing is available on bookmarks and adds very little to the cost. Use the front for your primary design and branding; use the back for contact details, a quote, a promotional offer, a QR code or additional information relevant to your audience.

    What to Include on a Bookmark

    The content depends on the purpose of the bookmark and the audience:

    • Promotional bookmark — logo, brand imagery, website URL, QR code, phone number. Keep it clean and brand-focused
    • Bookshop or publisher bookmark — store name and address, opening hours, website, social media handles. Perhaps a curated reading recommendation or quote
    • Charity or awareness bookmark — campaign message, key facts, donation URL or QR code, contact details
    • School or library bookmark — institution name and logo, a reading encouragement message, library contact details or borrowing information
    • Event bookmark — event name, date, venue and website. A useful keepsake that doubles as a reminder

    Stock and Finish Options

    The stock and finish you choose affects how the bookmark feels and how long it lasts:

    • 350gsm silk with gloss or matt lamination — the most popular choice for promotional bookmarks. Substantial in the hand, durable and resistant to the repeated handling that a bookmark receives. Matt lamination gives a sophisticated feel; gloss lamination maximises colour vibrancy
    • 350gsm uncoated — a natural, tactile feel popular with bookshops, literary events and any brand with an organic or artisan aesthetic. Also writeable — useful for bookmarks with a notes section
    • Spot UV or foil — for premium bookmarks, spot UV on a logo or foil embellishment on a design element creates a bookmark that genuinely feels special to receive. See our guides: How to Design with Spot UV

    Artwork Setup

    Print Your Bookmarks in Brighton & Hove

    Dipol Print produces bookmarks for businesses, bookshops, schools, charities and events across Brighton & Hove and the wider UK. Collect from our print shop at 97 St James's Street, Brighton BN2 1TP or order online for UK-wide delivery. Need advice on size, stock or design? Get in touch with our team.