DIY Wooden Bookmark Tabs (Beginner-Friendly + Giftable)
- Lauren Twitchell
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Some woodworking projects require a whole Saturday, a garage full of tools, and a little bit of grit… but some projects are tiny, peaceful, and surprisingly satisfying. Wooden bookmark tabs fall into that second category. They’re quick. They’re lightweight. They’re fun to personalize. And they make beautiful, thoughtful gifts for anyone who loves reading — teachers, friends, family, coworkers, book-club buddies, or even yourself.
If you're new to woodworking, these bookmark tabs are an excellent place to begin. They’re small enough to minimize mistakes, simple enough to build confidence, and customizable enough to make each one feel special. And if you’re an experienced woodworker, these are the perfect “crafty reset project” — something you can make in batches, experiment with, or use to enjoy slower moments in the workshop.
So let's walk through how to make a set of DIY wooden bookmark tabs using inexpensive materials and the tools you already have.
Why Bookmark Tabs?
Wooden bookmark tabs are popular for a reason:
📚 They make reading feel intentional.
There’s something grounding about sliding a piece of real wood into a book instead of using a scrap of paper or a random receipt.
🎁 They are perfect handmade gifts.
Bookmark tabs are thoughtful, lightweight, and easy to package inside a card or gift bag.
🪵 They use scrap wood beautifully.
Thin offcuts from cedar, pine, walnut, oak — all fair game.
✨ They’re extremely beginner friendly.
Straight cuts, gentle sanding, basic finishing. No precision joinery required.
🎨 They’re endlessly customizable.
Woodburning, staining, paint, Cricut vinyl, engraving — make each one unique.
This is one of those woodworking projects that is genuinely relaxing. You're making something small. Something quiet. Something meaningful.
What You Need for DIY Bookmark Tabs
These bookmarks don’t require specialized tools — just the basics.
TOOLS
Table saw or miter saw or band saw
Orbital sander or sanding block
Pencil
Ruler
Optional: Woodburning pen, Cricut machine, stencil, paintbrush
MATERIALS
Scrap wood (cedar, pine, walnut, or any hardwood)
Sandpaper (120, 220, 320 grit)
Food-safe oil, Danish oil, or clear matte polycrylic
Optional: Leather cord, twine, vinyl decals, stamps
That’s the beauty of this project — you can make a dozen bookmarks from one small piece of wood.
Choosing the Right Wood
Before cutting anything, let’s talk wood.
Softwoods (cedar, pine, fir)
Pros: easy to cut, easy to sand, lightweight
Cons: can dent more easily
Hardwoods (walnut, maple, cherry, oak)
Pros: durable, beautiful grain, premium look
Cons: slightly harder to cut and sand
Either choice works, but thin hardwood bookmark tabs are stunning and feel high-end.
If you’re using fence pickets or common boards from Home Depot or Lowe’s, stick with cedar or pine. They’re soft, forgiving, and perfect for beginners.
Bookmark Dimensions
The ideal bookmark tab measurements are:
📏 Length: 4.5" – 6"
📏 Width: 1" – 1.25"
📏 Thickness: ⅛" – ¼"
If you make them too thick, they’ll bulge in the pages. Too thin, and they risk snapping. Aim for that sweet spot of sturdy but slim.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Wooden Bookmark Tabs
Step 1: Cut Your Wood Strips
Using your table saw, band saw, or miter saw:
Rip your board into thin strips about 1–1.25" wide.
Then crosscut pieces into 4.5–6" lengths.
Tip:
If you're using fence pickets or scrap pieces, avoid knots near the ends — that’s where bookmarks can crack.
Step 2: Thin the Stock (Optional but Recommended)
If your wood is thicker than ¼", you may want to plane or sand it down.
Options to thin your wood:
Run it through a planer
Sand aggressively with 80–120 grit
Use a band saw to resaw into thinner pieces
Hardwoods especially look gorgeous when thinned to about ⅛", but don’t stress — ¼" is perfectly fine.
Step 3: Round the Top Corners
Use a sander or simply hand-sand the corners to a gentle curve. Bookmark tabs look (and feel) much nicer with softened edges.
You can even create different shapes:
rounded top
angled top
flag style
fishtail notch
This is the fun part — experiment.
Step 4: Sand Everything Smooth
Start with 120 grit.
Work your way to 220.
Finish with 320 for buttery smoothness.
Run your finger along every edge. If anything catches or feels sharp, sand a little more. The goal is smooth, comfortable edges that won’t snag book pages.
Step 5: Add Decoration
This is where your bookmarks transform from “small wooden strips” into beautiful, personal gifts.
Here are four simple ways to style your bookmark tabs:
Option 1: Keep Them Natural
Let the grain speak for itself.
Apply Danish oil or mineral oil
Wipe clean
Buff to a soft sheen
Natural bookmarks feel earthy, warm, and timeless.
Option 2: Woodburning
Using a woodburning pen, you can create:
initials
names
floral designs
simple line art
mountains, stars, or waves
quotes like “just one more chapter”
Woodburned bookmarks look handcrafted and high-quality.
Option 3: Paint + Stain
Simple color blocking works beautifully.
Try:
stain the top third, leave the rest natural
paint a pastel or jewel-tone stripe
add gold or white accents for a modern look
Use painter's tape to keep lines crisp.
Option 4: Cricut Vinyl
For clean text or detailed designs, permanent vinyl is perfect.
Ideas:
“Read More”
“Book Lover”
“2025”
Teacher names
Minimalist shapes
Vinyl really shines on hardwoods like maple or walnut.
Step 6: Seal and Protect
Apply a finish that feels good in the hand.
Best options:
matte polycrylic (non-yellowing)
Danish oil
tung oil
wipe-on polyurethane (thin coat)
Avoid glossy finishes — they feel slippery in books.
Let everything dry completely before handling.
Step 7: Add a Top Loop or Leave Plain
Some bookmark tabs look beautiful with a small accent.
Ideas:
leather cord
thin twine
suede string
ribbon
tiny wood bead
To add a loop, drill a small ⅛" hole at the top before finishing.
If you prefer a clean, modern look, leave the top plain — both styles look beautiful.
Creative Variations
Once you’ve mastered the basics, try:
engraved ornaments (holiday-themed bookmarks)
teacher name sets
matching his/hers bookmark sets
yearly reading challenge bookmarks
custom night-sky burned designs
botanical sets using thin Sharpie paint pens
kids’ personalized bookmarks for school
These are perfect for craft fairs, Etsy listings, or stocking stuffers.
Why This Project Makes the Perfect Gift
People love handmade gifts, and bookmarks are personal without being overwhelming.
They say:
“I thought of you.”
“I made something just for you.”
“I know you love books.”
And because they’re small, lightweight, and practically unbreakable, they pack easily and ship beautifully.
If you want a simple woodworking project that strengthens your craft while creating something meaningful… this is it.
Tips for Making These in Batches
If you want to make sets for gifts or sales, work assembly-line style:
Cut all strips first
Then cut to length
Sand all pieces together
Apply decoration in groups
Finish everything at once
This keeps you organized and removes the “start and stop” feeling.
One small board (like a scrap of 1×4) can make 10–15 bookmarks, so this is a fantastic project for repurposing leftover lumber.
Bookmark tabs are one of my favorite small woodworking projects for slowing down and reconnecting with the craft. They’re the perfect blend of practicality and creativity — a reminder that woodworking doesn’t always have to be complicated to be meaningful.
You’re taking something simple — a small strip of wood — and transforming it into a tiny piece of art that slides into someone’s favorite book.
And whether you make one or twenty, each bookmark carries your fingerprint and your creativity.
Crafted by hand. Rooted in home.
— Lauren, Third Shift Crafts
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