How to Make an Easy Origami Bookmark

By
Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders
Dana Hinders is an origami expert and writer who shares her knowledge on mastering the art of origami. She has over 15 years of experience creating origami greeting cards, envelopes, gift boxes, and holiday decorations.
Learn more about The Spruce Crafts' Editorial Process
Updated on 10/08/20
Origami bookmark next to books

The Spruce / Dana Hinders

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Skill Level: Beginner

Bookmarks are an excellent project for origami beginners. They are quick and easy to make, and they are practical as well. You can make bookmarks for yourself or slip one inside a book that you are giving as a gift. These origami bookmarks also can be useful as inexpensive party favors for a child's birthday party goody bag. The bookmark in this tutorial is made using a single square sheet of origami paper. Paper that is roughly 6 inches by 6 inches works well, but you can experiment with different sizes to see what you like best. Just be sure the paper is a perfect square.

1:07

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What You'll Need

Materials

  • 1 sheet origami paper

Instructions

  1. Make the Initial Folds

    To begin making your origami bookmark, place your origami paper on a flat surface with the white side (or side with no pattern) facing up. Fold it in half diagonally to make a triangle. Crease well and then unfold.

    Then, fold the paper in half diagonally in the opposite direction. Crease well and then unfold. When you are done, you will have an "X" crease pattern as shown in the photo below.

    Origami paper folded square
    The Spruce / Dana Hinders

  2. Fold in the Corners

    Fold the top left and bottom right corners in to meet the intersection of the "X" you created in the previous step. Crease well. When you are finished, your paper should look like the photo below.

    Origami paper corners folded in
    The Spruce / Dana Hinders

  3. Fold the Paper in Half

    Fold the paper in half from right to left along the diagonal crease.

    Origami paper folded in half
    The Spruce / Dana Hinders

  4. Bring Up the Corners

    Rotate your paper, so the longest edge is directly in front of you. Bring the left and right corners up to meet the center vertical crease. Crease the folds well. Now, your origami bookmark should look like the photo below.

    Origami paper corners up
    The Spruce / Dana Hinders

  5. Tuck in the Flaps

    Flip your paper over. Then, tuck the top left and right flaps inside the pocket portion of the bookmark. Run your fingernail over all of the creases one last time to finish the bookmark.

    To use your origami bookmark, simply slip it over the corner of the last page you read in your book. 

    Origami bookmark flaps tucked in
    The Spruce / Dana Hinders

Embellished Heart Bookmark

Another good origami bookmark design is the embellished heart bookmark. This bookmark is slightly more complicated than the triangular bookmark. But the center heart is sure to impress any avid reader.

Origami heart bookmark
The Spruce / Dana Hinders

Fun Fact

The earliest known bookmark dates back to the sixth century. Made of embellished leather, it was found under the ruins of an Egyptian monastery attached by a strap to a book cover.