How to Create Bookmarks with Gel Plate Printing DIY

Learn how to create beautiful bookmarks with gelli printing art monoprints!

Mono printing with a gel plate or gelli plate is so much fun, and transforming your gorgeous unique pieces and prints into laminated bookmarks is a quick and easy craft.

Let's get started creating these gorgeous ginkgo leaf printed bookmarks!

HOW TO MAKE A GELLI PRINT:

These gorgeous prints are made with a gel printing plate - printmaking has never been easier than with a commercial gel plate.

The acrylic paint is metallic gold, the leaves are ginkgo leaves from my neighbor's tree Autumn drop, and the paper is black cardstock.

The full details on creating a print just like this is on this blog post.

Supplies Needed for a Gel Plate Print Bookmark:

affiliate links

• Gelli Prints (Gel Press Plates, acrylic paint, Brayer, cardstock and leaves)
• Laminator (check out this QFun laminator, it can laminate up to 13" wide!)
• Heat Laminator Sleeve (included with the QFun Laminator)
• Bookmark Tassels
• Hole Punch
• Paper Cutter

Classroom pack of 12 6x6" Gel Plates here!

Step 1: Gel Plate Monoprint

First thing to do is to create your gel plate monoprint. (gelli printing art is done with a see-through gel that holds the paint until it contacts paper that lifts the print off)

Use a gel plate, acrylic paint rolled on with a smooth brayer and then place leaves all over the plate.
Then place a piece of black cardstock on top of the gel plate, leaves and all.

Press and rub with your hands, then lift up one side of the paper and remove the leaves, place the paper back down on the gel plate.

Then lift up the other side and remove the leaves, place the paper back down. (Save the leaves, I'll show you how to use them soon!)

Then rub the paper smoothly to get the rest of the leaf imprint on the paper.

Finally, lift the paper, revealing the gorgeous metallic monoprint. 

Then make a bunch of them...I'll show you how to make greeting cards next!

(All the details and photos/video tutorial is on this post)

Step 2: Cutting the Monoprint

Use the paper cutter to cut the monoprint paper down to bookmark size pieces.

I made mine a little large because I love the ginkgo leaves and didn't want to loose them.

They are 2.5 inches by 7.5 inches.

One sheet of paper is enough to do 4 gorgeous bookmarks.

Once the bookmarks are cut, you can add some pen details if desired...write a name, a poem or a thought on them for an extra touch.

Check out this post for other bookmark ideas!

Step 3: Laminating Sleeve

Now place the monoprint bookmarks in a heat seal laminating sleeve, an 8x10 is large enough for all 4 bookmarks.

Place them in the sleeve, leaving a little space between each one for cutting.

Send it through the heat laminator and then use the paper cutter to cut each of the bookmarks apart.

After I cut them apart I send them through the laminator one more time to heat seal the edges more heat sealy.

Also, please ignore the huge amounts of cat hair on my sleeve...I have no control over my life anymore!

Use some scissors to round the corners of the plastic lamination so it's not so pokey.

Step 4: Hole Punch

Now use the hole punch to poke a hole in the top center of the book mark.

Step 5: Tassel

Now pick your favorite color of bookmark tassel, I'm using gold, and tie it through the hole of the bookmark using a larks head or girth hitch knot.

Simply push the looped end through the hole, and then pull the tassel through the loop.

Then pull the tassel tight on the bookmark.

Now this beautiful bookmark is ready to hold your place as you read.

It's a quick craft and useful once it's made--win win!

I love the elegant look of the gold paint over the black paper.

There are so many fun ways to monoprint and create completely different looks.

Try experimenting with different elements for a different look:

• feathers
• string or yarn
• netting
• plastic wrap
• stencils
• other found objects 

Anything that doesn't have sharp points should work!

That's it!

Learn how to create bookmarks with Gel Plate Printing is an easy DIY for any skill level.

These beautiful bookmarks are perfect for a classroom craft or for making at home and gifting to book lovers for any occasion!

This fun paper craft takes only a little time to make a print, and a few more minutes to transform them into bookmark keepsakes.

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Check out these other posts on Gel Plate Printing and Bookmarks!

How to Make Gel Plate Monoprints (DIY Art Printing)

Learn how to make gel plate monoprints with just a few simple supplies, a few minutes and no skill needed.

Monoprints are single time prints and can be created with just paint or layers of texture and impressions.

These are super fun to create and I'll teach you how to get the best results, but you can experiment and make them your own in no time at all.

15 Easy DIY Handmade Bookmarks to Make with Students

Making your own bookmarks is a fun way to keep track of your reading with a little craft time and a personal touch.

Handmade bookmarks make a great gift, giving that personal touch to a wonderful gift of a new book.

I'm sharing a few creative bookmarks with different designs, you'll find your favorite in this compilation of diy bookmark ideas--great for students to make, excellent craft ideas for homeschool families, also perfect for events at the library for the next read, and fun for a classroom activity!

Which one is your favorite of these DIY bookmarks? I love the origami paper Japanese dolls and I love the David Tennant version of Doctor Who peeking up over the top of my book pages...which could be adapted for lots of other fun bookmark ideas too.

Click each title or photograph for the individual step-by-step instructions for each of these handmade bookmarks and you'll be crafting book holders in no time!

Looking for the perfect satiny bookmark tassels to go with your homemade bookmarks?

200 Bookmark Tassels  (affiliate links)

If you aren't into tassels, pom poms would make a cute bookmark topper too!