Last Updated on August 15, 2025 by Team Ideas24
Losing pages all the time? These ribbon bookmarks can help!
My teen daughters love a good craft project. As soon as I come across one, we immediately get to work. We love working with our hands. This is our bonding activity, usually done during the weekends.
Right before school ended, the kids wanted something which they could give to their teachers. It’s sort of a thank you present. Fortunately, I saw this great project online. It was for ribbon bookmarks. We all agreed it was the perfect gift for their teachers.
Because you can get as creative as you want, this project is a whole lot of fun.
Not sure where to start? Check out these colourful and adorable DIY ribbon bookmark designs that are sure to inspire you!
These bookmarks are so easy to make, and you can use any type of ribbon you like. Just choose your favourite colours and get started!
It’s an easy sewing project. You can do it by hand if you don’t know how to use a sewing machine. And when I said it’s an easy project, it really is. In fact, you can create a dozen bookmarks in just a few minutes. I’m not kidding!
With these ribbon bookmarks, my kids’ teachers won’t have to worry about losing pages anymore. It’s a useful gift – one that they truly appreciated. Why not make some of your own, too?
Contents
Crafting Custom Ribbon Bookmarks
To make these bookmarks, you will need:
Materials:
- Ribbon
- Buttons
- Elastics
Tools:
- Needle and Thread
- Scissors
How to make an adorable DIY ribbon bookmark
Making your own ribbon bookmark is a fun and easy project that you can do at home with just a few materials. Plus, it’s a great way to add a personal touch to your book collection!
Here’s a quick and easy way to make a super cute ribbon bookmark:
1. Measure the ribbon
To measure the length of your books, you’ll need a tape measure. 18 inches is a standard book size, but if your book is larger, you can use a longer strip of tape. Just make sure to measure from the top of the book to the bottom, so you get an accurate measurement.
2. Cut the ribbon
Cut the ribbon based on your measurement. The ribbon should be cut into a strip, about 18″ or longer.
Once you’ve folded the ends in by 1/2″, pin and press them. This will give you a nice, clean edge to work with. You will need to fold over the elastic and pin it to one end of the ribbon.
3. Sew the ribbon
Using a sewing machine or hand stitch, stitch along the folded edges, and use a straight stitch. You can make your stitches as close together or as far apart as you like. If you’re using a sewing machine, be sure to use a seam guide so that your stitches are even.
Finally, add the elastic and button. Start by sewing an elastic onto one edge of the ribbon. Then, sew a button onto the other edge of the ribbon. Voila! You now have a new, cute bookmark to use.
This way, your bookmark will be more decorative and unique than a regular bookmark. Give it a try the next time you’re looking for a new bookmark!
And here’s the full video tutorial from 5Minutesformom:
Why Custom Ribbon Bookmarks Make Great Gifts
Great gifts feel personal, useful, and easy to make. Ribbon bookmarks hit that sweet spot. With simple materials, you can craft polished pieces that readers love and reach for daily.
Thoughtful, Affordable, and Quick
Handmade gifts carry heart. They show time and care, even when the project is small. Costs stay low with ribbon, elastics, and a few buttons. Time stays low too. You can batch steps and finish sets fast.
The result looks neat and consistent. Recipients feel seen because the gift supports a daily habit. Reading pauses become smoother and more pleasant. Teachers, club members, and friends appreciate that practicality.
You also avoid clutter. The bookmark tucks into a page instead of a drawer. This is why custom ribbon bookmarks feel generous without being expensive.
Personalization That Connects
Personal touches turn a craft into a keepsake. Colors can match school hues, team palettes, or wedding themes. Heat-transfer vinyl makes crisp initials. Stamps and fabric markers add icons or quotes. Embroidery brings texture and heirloom charm.
Swap elastic colors to coordinate planners and journals. Add a tiny date label for milestones. Build themed sets for holidays or fandoms. Keep the base construction uniform so the range still looks cohesive. Mix one standout detail per piece to avoid visual noise.
The format invites endless variation, which keeps custom ribbon bookmarks fresh and fun to make.
Occasions and Audiences
These suit almost any event. Teacher appreciation, graduations, retreats, and book fairs all work. Bridesmaids and shower guests love flat, mailable favors. Kids enjoy choosing charms and buttons with guidance.
Older readers prefer wider, grippier ribbon that stays put in heavy hardcovers. Authors and bookstores can bundle sets with signed copies. Libraries can use them as donor thank-yous. Readers who annotate like a slim profile that won’t bruise pages.
Organizers appreciate gifts that pack flat and stack well. The broad appeal helps you plan batches efficiently. Custom ribbon bookmarks bridge many tastes without feeling generic.
Small Business and Fundraiser Potential
Turn a table into a lean production line. Standardize lengths and widths for speed. Offer tiers by material and finish. Photograph pieces against wood grain or open pages for depth. Keep brand colors consistent across tags and packaging.
Use paper belly bands for a tidy, eco-friendly wrap. Price sets for impulse buys and multi-gift bundles. Provide simple care notes to reduce returns. Invite event colors, monograms, or charm themes for preorders.
Local shops may take consignments during peak seasons. A light, mailable product is easier to scale. Custom ribbon bookmarks make craft fairs profitable with modest gear.
Custom Ribbon Bookmarks Gallery
Click on any image to start the lightbox display. Use your Esc key to close the lightbox.
Best Ribbons and Widths for Durable Bookmarks
Durability starts with smart ribbon choices. Width, weave, and finishing decide how well a bookmark performs. Choose materials that resist fray, hold shape, protect pages, and look elegant over time.
Material Choices
Grosgrain brings structure and a matte finish. It resists creasing and handles daily wear. Satin offers sheen and a dressy vibe. It needs careful edge sealing to avoid pulls. Velvet grips pages and feels rich. Keep thickness modest to prevent bulk.Â
Cotton herringbone accepts stamps and inks beautifully. Linen blends add quiet texture and a premium look. Consider the book’s weight and paper type when choosing. Match material to use case, not just style.
Test scraps for heat sealing and stitch quality. The right base fabric helps custom ribbon bookmarks stay crisp through lots of page turns.
Width and Structure
Width drives function. Three-eighths inch suits slim paperbacks and planners. Half-inch is a versatile middle ground for most novels. Three-quarter inch excels in cookbooks and textbooks. One inch supports heavy covers and resists slipping.
Stabilize soft ribbons with lightweight fusible web. You add body without bulk. Keep total thickness low to protect spines. A gentle elastic tail can wrap a cover for travel. Avoid stiff inserts that dent paper.
Test in thin, glossy pages to confirm glide. When sized well, custom ribbon bookmarks slide in cleanly, hold position, and never feel fussy or fragile.
Edge Finishes That Last
Clean edges prevent snags and fray. Heat-seal synthetic ribbons with a hot knife or lighter, working quickly to avoid scorch marks. Fold narrow hems on cotton and linen. Stitch close with a fine needle. A tight zigzag can lock fibers at raw ends.
Fray-control liquids help too. Let them cure fully before sewing or packaging. Metal ribbon end caps crimp on for a jewelry-grade finish. Match their tone to buttons or charms for cohesion. Always test on scraps to learn how each ribbon reacts. Durable edges make the whole piece feel premium.
Colorfastness and Care
Books meet hands, oils, and sunlight. Pick colorfast ribbon and test for bleed, especially reds and deep blues. If you stamp designs, heat-set inks per directions. Painted accents may need a light fixative. Avoid stiff coatings that scratch paper.
Wipeable satin can be spot-cleaned with care. Matte weaves hide wear better. Include a small care note in gift packaging. Advise storage out of direct sun. Good care guidance keeps custom ribbon bookmarks looking fresh long after gifting.
Sourcing and Sustainability
Shop remnants and thrifted spools to cut waste. Look for OEKO-TEX labels or recycled fibers. Natural fibers feel warm and understated. They demand better fray management. Keep packaging minimal with paper bands and recycled cards. Explain sourcing choices on tags to win eco-minded buyers.
Photograph batches with neutral backgrounds to show color accuracy. Reliable suppliers reduce color drift between reorders. Sustainable practices become part of the story and the value. The approach builds trust and repeat sales without raising costs.
Closures and Embellishments: Buttons, Elastics, and Charms
Closures and embellishments elevate a simple strip of ribbon. Thoughtful choices enhance function without bulk. Plan elastic, buttons, and charms so the bookmark stays secure, slim, and comfortable for reading.
Elastic Loops and Fit
Elastic secures the bookmark during commutes and in bags. Fold-over elastic feels soft and stretches evenly. Narrow widths fit paperbacks. Wider versions balance planners and textbooks. Sew loops with a box-and-X stitch for strength.
Standardize loop lengths for common sizes. Keep tension gentle to avoid warping pages. Offer replaceable loops for heavy users. Color-match elastics with ribbon or use contrast for pop. Test on thin paper to confirm glide.
The wrap should feel snug but never tight. Thoughtful elastic choices help custom ribbon bookmarks feel tailored and travel-ready.
Buttons and Fasteners
Buttons add a focal point and a satisfying stop. Flat styles sit flush against closed books. Shank buttons add height for a dressy look. Hand-sew with doubled thread and a tiny dab of fabric glue.
Consider decorative rivets for a modern, hardware-forward feel. Magnetic snaps can close wrap-around styles. Test magnet strength on delicate paper. Wood, shell, acrylic, and metal shift the mood fast. Keep edges smooth to protect pages.
Choose finishes that echo charm metals or end caps. The fastener should guide the eye without adding bulk.
Charms, Beads, and Caps
Charms tell a story. Tiny leaves, letters, stars, or book icons hint at season or genre. Attach with jump rings sewn into a reinforced end. Add a short bead stack for movement. Keep weight modest so the ribbon lies flat. Crimp end caps for a jewelry-grade finish and cleaner edges.
Mirror metal tones across hardware for cohesion. Offer themed sets for holidays, teams, and clubs. Present a few restrained options rather than many busy ones. Small changes create big personality. Used sparingly, charms make custom ribbon bookmarks feel like miniature pieces of wearable art.
Balancing Form and Function
Design choices should serve reading first. Place embellishments near the fore edge, not the hinge, to protect spines. Avoid sharp corners and heavy drops that dent paper. Keep overall thickness low to maintain a smooth close. Test every finish in thin, glossy, and textured pages.
Ensure the bookmark slides in and out without catching. Ship pieces flat so they keep their shape. Provide simple care notes with each gift. When beauty and practicality align, the bookmark invites daily use and lasts longer. That balance is the hallmark of a well-made piece.
Conclusion
Making a custom ribbon bookmark is quick, affordable, and satisfying. You choose the ribbon, width, and finish to match the reader and the book. Clean edges, secure stitching, and light embellishments keep it durable and slim. It’s a thoughtful gift and easy to batch for clubs, classrooms, and fairs. Start simple, refine the color and hardware, and stop when you’re proud of the result.
If you liked this project, you might also like to view the Adorable Customized Corner Bookmarks: 4 Easy Steps…
