What paper and GSM is best for printing bookmarks?

For bookmarks, print on a 300–350gsm coated cardstock and add a laminate. That weight is stiff enough to feel premium and slide in and out of a book without bending, and the laminate stops it wearing out — the single biggest factor in how good a bookmark feels and lasts.

Why 300–350gsm?

GSM is the weight of the card — grams per square metre. Below about 300gsm a bookmark feels flimsy and curls inside a book; above 350gsm it starts to feel like a coaster and can be awkward between pages. 350gsm is the sweet spot for most bookmarks: rigid enough to hold its shape, thin enough to sit comfortably. If you are adding a laminate, the finished piece gains a little more stiffness again, so 300gsm laminated ends up feeling much like 350gsm bare.

Coated vs uncoated stock

Coated card gives crisp, punchy colour and a smooth surface, which is why it is the default for photographic or brand-heavy bookmark designs. Uncoated card has a natural, tactile feel and takes a pen or stamp, so it suits a writeable bookmark or a deliberately understated, craft look — but colours print a touch softer and it marks more easily without a laminate. For most retail and promotional bookmarks, coated stock with a laminate is the reliable choice.

Should you laminate?

Yes, for anything that will be handled a lot. A matt or gloss laminate protects the print from finger-wear and moisture, and it will still look new after years of use. Matt feels understated and modern and cuts glare, so text reads easily; gloss makes colours pop and photographs sing. There is also a soft-touch (velvet) laminate that feels almost suede-like — a premium option for author and gift bookmarks. Lamination also stiffens the card and seals the edges, which is exactly what a bookmark needs.

Finishing touches

Rounded corners give a softer, more considered finish and resist the dog-earing that square corners pick up. A punched hole with a tassel or ribbon is a lovely touch for authors, libraries and gifts. Leave room at the top for the hole if you are adding one — keep it about 8–10mm in from the edges so it does not tear out. For a genuinely premium piece, ask about spot UV (a gloss highlight over a matt laminate) or foil on the title.

Size and setup

There is no single “correct” bookmark size, but a common Australian standard sits around 55 × 150mm or 55 × 180mm — tall and slim so it clears the top of a paperback. Design to the finished size with 3mm bleed, keep text and logos clear of the trim and the tassel hole, and supply CMYK. See our guide on setting up artwork for print if you are unsure. Not print-ready? We check every file for free before it goes to press.

Single or double sided

Bookmarks are usually printed double sided, and it pays to use both faces. Put your main design — the cover, the artwork, the title — on the front, and use the back for something useful: a reading list, contact details, a QR code to your website, a discount for the next purchase, or a short bio for an author. A blank back is a wasted opportunity on a piece people keep and look at repeatedly.

Design ideas and uses

Bookmarks earn their keep as low-cost promotion because people hold onto them. Bookshops and libraries hand them out at the counter; authors sign and give them away at launches and markets; schools and churches use them for reading programs; cafes and studios slip them into orders. Because they are small, you can print a large quantity affordably, which makes them a favourite giveaway — a run in the hundreds costs little per piece, and every one keeps your name in a book someone opens again and again.

Bookmark printing FAQ

What is the best paper weight for a bookmark?

300–350gsm cardstock. It is stiff enough to feel quality and survive being slid between pages, without being so thick it splays the book.

Do bookmarks have to be laminated?

No, but it is strongly recommended for anything handled regularly. Laminate protects the print, stiffens the card and stops the edges wearing.

Can I get a hole and tassel?

Yes. We can drill the hole; tassels or ribbon can be added for author, library and gift bookmarks. Just leave clear space at the top of the design.

What size should a bookmark be?

Around 55 × 150mm is a safe, popular size, but we cut to custom dimensions — tell us what suits your design and we will set it up.

Are bookmarks printed one or two sided?

Usually two sided, so the back can carry a reading list, contact details or a QR code. One-sided is fine if the design calls for it — just let us know when you send the artwork.

See our bookmark printing options or get a quote and we will recommend the right stock and finish for your design.