If you’ve ever struggled with printing bookmarks at home, dealing with ink, cardstock, alignment, or cutting machines, this is a much simpler approach. Instead of printing anything myself, I ordered my designs as postcards and then turned them into finished bookmarks. No printer ink, no Cricut setup, and no wasted materials trying to get everything lined up perfectly. Let’s get started!
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – That means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you.
How to Turn Postcards into Bookmarks
In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how I created multiple bookmark styles from printed postcards, including:
- Flat bookmarks
- Laminated bookmarks
- Tassel bookmarks
- Magnetic bookmarks
This is a practical, efficient workflow that still gives you a polished, finished result.
Why Use Postcards Instead of Printing at Home?
Before we get into the steps, let’s talk about why this method works so well.
When you print bookmarks at home, you’re usually dealing with:
- Ink costs
- Cardstock quality
- Print alignment issues
- Cutting accuracy
- Machine setup time
By ordering postcards instead, you eliminate all of that.
Everything arrives:
- Professionally printed
- Pre-sized
- Double-sided (if you choose)
- Ready to cut and finish
This shifts the process from production to finishing, which is faster and more scalable.
Materials You’ll Need
For this project, you don’t need much:
- Printed 4×6 postcards (I ordered mine from VistaPrint)
- Paper trimmer
- Corner rounder (optional)
- Self-adhesive laminate sheets (optional)
- Tassels (optional)
- Scoring board
- Hole punch
- Self-adhesive magnets (for magnetic bookmarks)
That’s it. No printer, no cutting machine required.
I walk you through the full process in my video below:
Step 1: Cutting Flat Bookmarks
To start, I created a postcard layout that allows me to get two bookmarks per postcard.
Once your postcards arrive, the process is simple:
- Use a paper trimmer to cut the postcard in half
- Trim edges if needed for clean lines
- Round the corners (optional but recommended)
That’s your base bookmark.
As mentioned in the video, once they’re cut:
“All we need to do now that they’re printed is just cut them and trim the sides.”
At this stage, your bookmarks are already usable.
Step 2: Reading Log (Pre-Printed)
One of the features I added to my bookmarks was a reading log on the back.
This was designed ahead of time and printed directly onto the postcards, so there’s nothing to add here during the finishing process.
Each bookmark includes space for:
- Book title
- Date
- Rating
This makes the bookmark functional, not just decorative.
Step 3: Optional Laminate Upgrade
If you want to increase durability, you can laminate the front of the bookmark. Important: Only laminate the front so the back remains writable.
How to laminate:
- Cut a piece of self-adhesive laminate slightly larger than your bookmark
- Apply it to the front
- Trim excess edges
- Round corners again if needed
As shown in the process:
“You’d only want to laminate the front because you want to be able to write on the back.”
This adds:
- Water resistance
- Durability
- A more polished finish
You can use:
- Clear laminate
- Holographic laminate (for variation)
Step 4: Adding Tassels
To take your bookmarks a step further, you can add tassels.
How to do it:
- Punch a hole at the top of the bookmark
- Attach a tassel
You have two options:
- Make your own with embroidery floss
- Use pre-made tassels
As noted:
“It really just depends on how much labor you want to put into these bookmarks and also how you want to keep your costs down.”
This step is optional, but it adds:
- Visual appeal
- A more finished product
- Higher perceived value
Step 5: Magnetic Bookmarks (3 per Postcard)
For the second design, I created a layout that allows for three bookmarks per postcard. These are used to create magnetic bookmarks.
Step-by-step:
1. Cut into thirds
Use your paper trimmer to divide the postcard into three equal sections.
2. Score and fold
- Score at the center (2 inches for a 4-inch piece)
- Fold cleanly
You can use a scoring board, or simply fold and crease by hand.
3. Round corners
This keeps the look consistent and finished.
4. Add magnets
Use small self-adhesive magnets.
Important tip:
“You want to make sure that they attract before you put them on your bookmark.”
Place magnets:
- Slightly below the fold
- Not directly on the edge
Then press together.
Why Magnetic Bookmarks Work Well
Magnetic bookmarks are:
- Functional (they stay in place)
- Compact
- Easy to produce in batches
From one postcard, you get:
- 3 individual bookmarks
- Option to sell individually or as a set
As mentioned:
“With one postcard, I was able to get three magnetic bookmarks that I can sell individually or I can put them all on one card and sell them as a set.”
Cost and Efficiency Breakdown
This method is efficient for a few reasons:
1. No material waste
You’re not testing prints or throwing away misaligned sheets.
2. No equipment setup
No need to load machines, adjust settings, or troubleshoot.
3. Batch production
You can quickly cut and assemble multiple bookmarks at once.
4. Flexible output
From the same starting point, you can create:
- Basic bookmarks
- Upgraded versions
- Magnetic sets
Ways to Use These Bookmarks
These bookmarks can be used in several ways:
- Personal use
- Gifts
- Freebies with orders
- Giveaways
- Retail products
You can also package them with:
- Simple cardstock backers
- Stamped branding
- Hanging tags
This approach is about working smarter, not harder.
Instead of focusing on printing and cutting, you’re focusing on:
- Finishing
- Presentation
- Efficiency
As shared in the video:
“You saw how quickly it was for me to create these bookmarks without ever having to print anything myself or to set up a Cricut.”
That’s the real advantage here.
Which One Is Your Favorite?
There are multiple ways to approach this depending on your goal:
- Keep it simple → flat bookmarks
- Add durability → laminate
- Add style → tassels
- Add function → magnetic bookmarks
Personally, the magnetic bookmarks stand out the most, they’re practical and quick to produce.
If you try this method, let me know which version you prefer. And if you’re looking for a more efficient way to create finished products without the extra setup, this is definitely one worth trying.
Happy Crafting!
- Unlocking Sublimation: A Guide to Sublimation
- Sublimation Oven or Cricut Mug Press – Which is Best?
- HTVRONT Auto Heat Press Product Review
- Cricut Maker VS Cricut Maker 3 – Which Cricut Machine is Right for you?
- Cricut Glue Gun Product Review
- How to Sublimate Frosted Glass Can Tumblers with the Cricut Mug Press
- How to Sublimate Tumblers with the Cricut Mug Press
- How to Sublimate on Wood With or Without a Sublimation Printer