Bookmarks

A bookmark that stays with the reader

A bookmark looks unassuming and yet does more than many a leaflet. It does not end up in the bin once read - it travels between the pages and comes back into the recipient's hands every time they pick the book up. That means your logo, slogan or QR code works for weeks rather than a few seconds.

It works as a practical addition to a book, a promotional item, a keepsake from an event, a promotional coupon or an elegant touch in a parcel from a shop. In the online calculator you put the order together step by step: you choose the paper, the printing, the finish and the run size, and you see the quote straight away.

Where it works

Bookmarks are light, easy to hand out and stay in use for a long time, because people are happy to keep them with a book. They suit many trades and situations:

• Bookshops and online bookshops - an addition to an order, news of a new title, a discount code.
• Libraries and cultural institutions - reading campaigns, markers, materials from events.
• Publishers - promoting a particular book, a series, an author, an author meeting or a book fair.
• Schools, universities and nurseries - educational projects, campaigns promoting reading, items for pupils.
• Hotels, literary cafés, museums and galleries - a small gift with the character of the place.
• Companies and lifestyle brands - part of a visual identity, a present for clients.

You can hand them out at fairs, slip them into books, add them to parcels, and use them at workshops, author meetings, school competitions and company campaigns.

The 200×50 mm format

One size is available - 200×50 mm - in three corner finishes: square, rounded and asymmetric. It is a slim format that sits comfortably between pages and gives a sensible surface for a logo, artwork, short text, a quotation or a QR code.

The narrow layout has its own logic: vertical designs, clear artwork, short slogans and legible typography look best on it. It is a format that can carry a simple promotional bookmark just as well as an elegant design for a bookshop or publisher, as long as the composition is considered and not overloaded.

Paper - five characters to choose from

Match the paper to the style of the design and the way you will be handing the bookmarks out:

• Coated 250 gsm - the practical choice for promotional, educational and advertising bookmarks, especially on larger runs and campaigns handed out at events.
• Coated 350 gsm - stiffer and more distinguished. Good for company, publishing and bookshop bookmarks meant to be solid and elegant.
• DCP Satin 300 gsm - a satin, calm character. It suits minimalist, company, literary and occasional designs where a professional look matters.
• Arktika GC1 board 300 gsm - a stiff, attractive board of premium class. It works on publishing, hotel, museum and company bookmarks.
• Kraftliner 300 gsm - a natural kraft paper for eco, rustic, handmade and literary designs. Strong dark colours, simple typography and good contrast look best on it.

Printing - one side or two

There are two options:

• Single-sided - the whole message on one side. It is enough for a logo, artwork, a slogan, a quotation, a QR code or a website address.
• Double-sided - more scope. One side can be decorative (an illustration, a photograph, a quotation, the main motif) and the other informative (contact details, a QR code, a discount, social media, information about the publisher or an event).

With double-sided printing it is worth planning both sides as a consistent whole - decoration on one, the specifics on the other.

Finishing

A bookmark can be left unlaminated or given a finish that lifts its look and makes the surface more durable:

• No finishing - the simple, economical answer for promotional, school and library bookmarks and larger runs.
• Gloss lamination - strengthens colours and contrast. Excellent for vivid artwork, photographs, children's motifs and colourful campaigns.
• Matte lamination - a calm, elegant, professional effect. Good for company, publishing, bookshop and minimalist designs.
• Soft-touch lamination - a surface that is soft to the touch and a clear premium character. For elegant publishing bookmarks, gifts and cultural events.

Film can be applied to one side or both. One important exception: with Kraftliner, its natural look is part of the effect. On many designs kraft looks best unlaminated - it then keeps its colour, texture and raw, natural character.

What to put on a bookmark

With such a narrow format, less is better. One strong motif, short text and a clear QR code work better than an overloaded composition. Bookmarks work well with:

• a company logo or the name of a bookshop, library or publisher,
• artwork, an illustration or a photograph,
• a quotation or a promotional line,
• a QR code, a website address, social media,
• a discount code, news of a forthcoming book, the title of a publication,
• contact details, opening hours, information about an event,
• a thank-you to the customer, a seasonal or festive motif.

Avoid very long text and fonts that are too small - at 200×50 mm legibility is what counts.

Bookmarks as an addition to parcels

A small bookmark in a parcel is more useful than an ordinary leaflet - the customer keeps it and actually uses it. It is an excellent way of building a relationship in online bookshops, publishers, stationery shops, handmade brands and mail order companies. Put a thank-you for the order, a discount code, a QR code to your shop, social media or an invitation to a loyalty scheme on it.

How to prepare the file, and the check

The design is best prepared as a PDF that follows our specification, in CMYK, with artwork at 300 dpi (1:1 scale). Protect artwork that runs to the edge with bleed, and set important elements (the logo, text, a QR code) back from the edge. The QR code should be large, high in contrast and tested before sending.

When you place the order you choose one of the file preparation options:

• No file check - for agencies, designers and anyone confident about their design. The file goes straight into production.
• File check by a designer - we check the technical preparation for print: format, bleed, safe distances, image quality, colours and, on this narrow format, also the legibility of small text and the quality of the QR codes. The check does not cover the content - typos, quotations, copyright, whether links, discount codes and details are correct - that is the customer's responsibility. It is particularly recommended if the design was made in Canva, an online generator or an AI tool.
• Simple graphic design - when you have no file ready. You send us your logo, the text, a quotation, artwork, a QR code and your guidelines on colour, and we prepare a simple design matched to the 200×50 mm format, the paper and the finish you chose.

You set all the options and see the quote in the online calculator.