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How to Make Bookmarks with your Cricut | Free SVG templates!

Hello Daydreamers!

In today’s tutorial, I will teach you how to make the most beautiful bookmarks with your Cricut machine (Maker, Explore, or Joy). I’ll empower you, so you feel confident to make bookmarks for any occasion.

But wait, there is more (read in infomercial voice)!

I will also provide you with 12 Free SVG templates so you can make beautiful bookmarks not only for you but also for your friends and family.

This tutorial builds upon the skills I teach on every step, so if you’re just getting started with your machine, I suggest you follow each step.

Multiple bookmarks made with Cricut
Let’s make these bookmarks together!

In a nutshell, these are the topics I will be covering today:

  • Materials for bookmarks
  • Making bookmarks from scratch in Design Space
  • Cutting process (cut and draw on a bookmark)
  • Making outstanding cut-outs in Design Space
  • Using iron-on on your bookmarks
  • cool bookmarks you can make with the free SVG files in this article

Are you ready?

Let’s Daydream Into Reality!

Materials

  • Cricut Machine: You can use either the Maker, Joy, or Explore Air
  • Green Mat
  • Fine Point Blade
  • 0.4 Fine Cricut Pen (if you want to write on your bookmarks).
  • High-quality paper
  • High-quality glue
  • Twine (optional)

Always aim to use high-quality paper!

I know, it’s expensive, a beautiful sheet can cost 2 dollars. However, Michael’s will have fabulous sales where you can buy paper pads for half the price.

If you want a professional-looking bookmark, don’t use construction paper or kids glue. Kids glue will make your project bubble, and that’s a recipe for disaster.

If you’re in the mood of making extra fancy bookmarks, you can also use:

How to Make Bookmark in Cricut Design Space

There are many ways you can make a bookmark in Design Space!

If you’re getting started with your Cricut, I always recommend starting with the basic shapes.

What’s the most common shape for a bookmark?

A rectangle!

Let’s get on it.

Step 1 – Add and Edit Squares

To make a rectangle in Cricut Design Space, click on the “Shapes” icon located on the canvas’s left panel and select the square option.

A dark grey square will appear.

Select the square on the canvas, then go to the top menu and click on the little lock between the width and the height to unlock the proportions.

Once you unlock the proportions, type in the measurements you want for your bookmark.

Adding a square  in Cricut Design Space

For this particular project, I used 1.8 inches for W and 6 inches for H.

bookmark initial template in Cricut Design Space

After resizing your bookmark, select it and either copy-paste or duplicate it so I can show you two different ways you can make them.

Step 2 – Add Inner Rectangle and Slice hole

The next screen shows you that I added two smaller rectangles inside the grey ones.

I like to add two different colors for two main reasons. First, it adds extra sturdiness to the bookmark, and second, you can combine two different papers to create stunning contrast.

Now, it’s time for you to decide whether you want a small hole on your bookmark or not.

If you do, you can make the inner rectangle a bit shorter, then add a “punch-hole-sized” circle to the bookmark, and then select (by pressing shift on your computer at all times) the circle and the grey bookmark and click on “Slice” located at the right-bottom corner of the canvas.

slicing hole on bookmark in Cricut Design Space 1

Tip: You can skip making the yellow rectangle a bit shorter and make the hole on the yellow. Just make sure you “Slice” in the right position, so everything is aligned correctly.

slicing hole on bookmark in Cricut Design Space 2

Now that you know how to make a basic bookmark, let’s have some fun personalizing and adding different effects.

Add Text to Your Bookmark

Adding text to your bookmarks will give them that homemade look. You can add a quote you like, a name, or even an image!

Click on “Text” and type your phrase on the dialogue box.

For this bookmark, I typed “Just one more page.” Every word is on a single line to increase the size and have every word very visible.

adding text in Cricut Design Space for bookmark

When you add text in Design Space, Cricut will always show the font “Cricut Sans, and it’s set to cut.

Since we want to write, we need to choose a writing font. Select the text on the canvas area and notice all the options you have!

You can change the font, style, size, and more!

Let’s take a closer look at the types of fonts you should use when writing with your Cricut.

Editing text for bookmark in Cricut Design Space

When you click on “Font,” you cannot only see all the fonts Cricut has, but you can also filter them by specific attributes.

For writing with pens, I always prefer “Writing” fonts because they look more natural. You can learn more about this in my Cricut Pen tutorial.

Keep in mind that most of these fonts cost money. However, if you’re part of Cricut Access (which I recommend), you can use them over and over.

Tip: If you choose a font that doesn’t have a “Writing” style, make sure to change the Operation from “Basic Cut” to “Pen.”

Add Images & Attach your Bookmark

Can we agree that the text alone looks a little bit meh :/

With pens, you can also draw images!

Click on the “Images” icon and use the search bar and the filters to find the ideal image.

I narrowed my search by typing “book” and looking for “free” images under the “Ownership” drop-down menu.

I loved the little book with the heart, plus it is an image designed for drawing!

Select it and click on “Insert Images.”

When you insert a new image, something fundamental to do is to look at what other layers they come with.

This particular image comes with a white outline.

Since we are only using the drawing, go ahead and delete that outline.

Adding images in Cricut Design Space

Now, it’s time to resize the image and place it on your bookmark.

attaching bookmark with text in Cricut Design Space.

Once you finish designing, select your text, the image, and the inner rectangle by pressing shift on your computer at all times and click on “Attach,” located at the bottom of the Layers panel.

When you’re ready to cut, click on the green “Make it” button!

Bookmark Cutting Process

Yay!

You’ve made it to the cutting process.

Pay extra attention to this step because I won’t be covering it again on the next customization ideas I have for making bookmarks in this tutorial.

When you click on “Make it,” you should have a preview, like the one on the screenshot below.

For “Cricut Joy,” select the option “Cut on Mat.”

bookmark cutting preview window in Cricut Design Space

If everything looks in order, click on continue.

If things look all over the place, go back and check if you attached the text and image with the small rectangle.

It’s time to select your materials.

I used my Cricut Maker, but you can do this exact project with the Joy and Explore Air family Machines.

Here are some quick instructions for each machine.

Maker and Joy: Select the materials from Cricut Design Space. You can click on “Browse Materials” to find the one you’re working with. For this project, I used pink cardstock and hot pink glitter cardstock.

If you’re using two different types of materials, once you finish the first cut, click again on the “Base Material” options and update it before you cut the next mat.

Explore Air 2: Move the smart set dial to “Custom” and browse the Design Space materials.

Yes, you can move the dial to “cardstock, vinyl, etc.,” but to leave out any doubt is better to select from the software.

If you’re using two different types of materials, once you finish the first cut, click again on the “Base Material” options and update it before you cut the next mat.

Bookmark Cutting process steps in Cricut Design Space

Let’s move to real pics!

First, let’s cut and draw the inner rectangle.

To consider: You can use the same pens for the Maker and the Explore machines. If you have a Cricut Joy, you need Cricut Joy Pens.

Place paper on the green mat. A new blue mat can also work with cardstock, then install the fine point blade and pen you want to use.

Load mat to the machine and press the flashing go button to start the cut. (For Cricut Joy, start the cut in Design Space).

When the cut is complete, remove “the mat from them material” by bending the mat. This trick will prevent your paper from curling.

Repeat the same process with the other mat.

Remember to change materials in Design Space if you’re using a different one for the big rectangle.

Once you finish both cuts, glue your bookmark.

I like the simplicity of this bookmark!

Making Bookmarks with Beautiful cut-outs

It’s time to add a little extra spice to this tutorial!

One of my favorite things Cricut can do that a regular pair of scissors can’t are intricate cuts.

With your machine, you can cut so many little details that neither your hand nor a true control knife can.

Take advantage of that!

Step 1 – Make a Frame

Let’s start with these three rectangles! (Jump back to learn how to make them).

To make a frame, select the small (pink) and the big (blue) rectangle at the same time and click on “Slice.”

Ensure both rectangles are entirely centered.

Slicing in Cricut Design Space

Keep the blue rectangle and the frame, and delete the other slice results.

Creating a bookmark "frame" in Cricut Design Space

Step 3 – Adding, Overlapping, and Welding Images

Making cut-outs with Cricut is a little bit difficult when you’re just getting started.

The reason why it’s hard is that you need to consider what pieces are going to fall out once you cut your paper.

No worries, though!

Let me show you how to make perfect cut-outs every single time!

The first step was adding the frame; now it’s time to add some images.

You want your images to be simple, don’t use very complex images. If you want text in your bookmarks, find a picture where letters don’t have spaces in between.

If you want to follow along, these are the codes of the images I used:

  • M2FBAE
  • M38A46
  • M39CA1
  • M3D82D
  • M8B1B82E
  • M3A86E

Not all of these images are free. However, you can still practice this technique for free if you don’t cut the bookmark.

Adding floral images in Cricut Design Space

Many of these flowers came with other backgrounds and extra elements. I deleted the ones I didn’t need and resized them before I took these screenshots.

The key to making cut-outs is to fill the frame with all the images so they overlap. Don’t leave a flower or text on its own, or it will fall out from the bookmark.

It can be a little complicated to align and overlap all the images.

It takes time and practice. So don’t feel defeated. Try rotating your images to find better angles. Copy and paste different flowers as you need to.

Rotating and duplicating images to make cut outs.

Once you complete arranging and overlapping all images, select the frame and all the elements inside it and click on “Weld,” located at the bottom of the Layers panel.

Welding cut-out bookmark in Cricut Design Space

There you have it!

A beautiful bookmark with neat cut-outs!

As you can see, I changed the background color from blue to pink. I also changed the bookmark color to teal.

Tip: Sometimes, overlapping isn’t perfect, and there will be little cuts that aren’t flattering. Use “Contour” to hide those imperfections. (Read my contour tutorial if you still have doubts)

Contour in Cricut Design Space

When you’re ready to cut the bookmarks, click on Make it, and follow the prompts, I showed you in the earlier screenshots.

I decided to use glitter cardstock again, as you can see!

If you use glitter cardstock for the top of your bookmark, I recommend using a new or lightly used green mat and a brayer to stick the material on it evenly.

When you have such small intricate cuts and a thick material like glitter cardstock, the paper can move, and you’ll have to repeat the cut.

After cutting, glue your bookmark.

Assembling bookmarks

What do you think?

I think it looks fantastic!

I also cut this bookmark in red and brown cardstock to show you how different it can look using other materials.

Making a Bookmark with Faux Leather and Iron-On.

If you want a more durable and elegant bookmark, you can also use faux leather and personalize it with iron-on/HTV.

Important: This is not an in-depth iron-on tutorial. If you’ve never worked with iron-on, check out my Iron-On guide.

There are so many colors to choose from, and it’s easy to cut with any of the Cricut machines if you use Cricut’s faux leather.

Step 1 – Add Design Elements

For this bookmark, I only used a rectangle and made a small hole to put some twine through it.

I also added an image from Cricut’s library (MB359018) to personalize it, and I used gold foil iron-on.

simple bookmark design in Cricut Design Space

When you’re ready to cut your project, click on “Make it” and choose the materials from Design Space, as I showed you in the cutting process earlier in this tutorial.

If you want to use fine or chunky glitter canvas, I recommend checking my YouTube video on how to tune your settings.

Step 2 – Make it

Something to remember if you plan on using HTV (heat transfer vinyl) is to mirror your image.

turning mirror-on in Cricut Design Space

If you don’t mirror, your design will look backwards once you transfer it.

Step 3 – Cut, Weed, & Transfer

When working with HTV, place your material, pretty or shiny side down on the mat. Then remove the negative cuts with a weeder.

Once you weed, grab your bookmark and transfer vinyl to it.

For this project, I used the EasyPress Mini; you can also use a regular iron or mini iron.

According to Cricut’s heat guide, when you use the EP Mini, with foil iron-on and faux leather, these are the steps you need to take:

  • Preheat Cricut EasyPress Mini, low setting
  • Place faux leather on pressing mat (you can also use a towel).
  • Preheat faux leather for 5 s
  • Place iron-on material face down, liner side up
  • Secure with tape, avoiding image area
  • Press while moving with light pressure at a low setting for 30 s
  • Slowly remove liner while cool

For instructions on how to use a regular household iron, please check out this section on my Iron-On guide.

Doesn’t it look pretty?

Free SVG Bookmark Templates and Quotes

As I mentioned at the beginning of this tutorial, here are some cool templates you can use to make bookmarks for you, friends, or family (personal use only).

Each bookmark style comes in four different types; this will allow you to make all sorts of bookmarks.

I also included some cute quotes and doodles for more fun ideas.

Oh!

And just so you know, I also have a library full of free SVG files and Printables for all my subscribers, a.k.a Daydreamers. You can see a preview right here or get access by filling out this form.

To download the file(s), you NEED to be on a desktop or laptop, and you must click on the button to trigger a download file on your PC.

Depending on your browser settings, your PC sometimes asks where to save the file, although most files will be in your download folder.

If the image opens in a new window (this may happen because of your browser settings), right-click on it, select the option “Save Image As,” and choose where you want to save the file.

SVG files look like web page files when you download them.

Making Bookmarks with Free SVG templates

Here are some ideas of the bookmarks you can make with the files I provided you with.

First, download the files you want to use, then open Design Space and go to “Upload.” Click on “Upload Image” and follow the prompts.

When you finish uploading, the file will be available under “Recent Uploads.”

Uploading bookmark templates to Cricut Design Space

For the bookmark I am about to show you, I use the doodles and the blue and purple templates.

Organize Files on Canvas Area

Ungroup and delete the things you don’t need.

For instance, I only kept the snowflakes, some of the swirls, and the frame and background bookmark.

Organizing files in Cricut Design Space

Create!

Look how I overlapped the snowflakes and the swirls to make a winter bookmark.

Welding winter bookmark in Cricut Design Space

Once you finish, weld, and it’s ready to go!

Winter bookmark in Cricut Design Space

It’s so unique and different.

Holding a winter bookmark made with Cricut

Make sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see your projects!

Another idea!

I used the booknerd file and the rectangle templates to make a different style of cut-out bookmarks.

Booknerd design process in Cricut Design Space
Don’t forget to weld

For the next bookmark, I combined one of Cricut’s images and one of my templates.

I used iron-on on paper!

Doesn’t it look adorable?

More faith less fear bookmark made with Cricut Iron-on and pink and yellow cardstock.

More, more, and more ideas!

I think the Fell Asleep Here bookmark is one of my favorite ones.

Again I used foil iron-on and paper. The pictures don’t do it justice.

You can even skip pens, iron-on, and cut-out effects if you have beautiful papers on hand like the following floral bookmark.

Floral bookmarks made with Cricut

Or this other one!

Black and gold bookmark made with Cricut

Do you see what high-quality paper can achieve?

Share it!

Do you know it takes me over 25 hours to complete a single Cricut article? I know it’s wild! But I like to make sure that you understand EVERYTHING!

I would appreciate your support on Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / as I am trying to grow my audience to keep producing great content!

Stephanie

Tuesday 16th of January 2024

What do you consider high quality glue? I am still new to cricut and just have school glue sticks

Catalina

Friday 19th of January 2024

I like 3-in-1 or glue pens made by recollections.

Pam

Wednesday 29th of November 2023

I have been searching for free bookmarks to make for people in facilities. These are perfect, I so appreciate them and the tutorial. Thank you.

April

Tuesday 4th of October 2022

Love love love thank you!

Karen

Monday 29th of August 2022

Awesome! Thanks for the great tutorial!

Debbie

Thursday 14th of July 2022

Wow! This was a great tutorial. I am going to try to make some for my book club