3D Butterfly Bookmark

Making these butterfly bookmarks is much easier than you might expect! There are two ways to create them:

• Download our free printables, then color and cut them out!
• Use our template as a guide and sketch your own pattern

Materials Required

• Watercolor paper or cardstock – we chose 140lb watercolor paper because it is especially durable and helps the bookmarks hold up. At the very least, I suggest using cardstock for printing or crafting them
• Watercolors

For anyone drawing the butterflies by hand, you will need:

View the Video Tutorial

Steps for Creating a 3D Butterfly Bookmark

1. Print the templates.

You have three designs to pick from: two versions to color yourself and one template for tracing your own drawing. The templates can be sent to you at the end of this post.

2. Decorate the templates with color or paint.

We chose watercolors, though markers, paint, crayons, and colored pencils can all be used to decorate the bookmarks.

3. Trim out the bookmark.

4. Crease the butterfly.

With the black section facing upward, bend the wing backward as demonstrated below.

5. Fold it at the center.

6. Place the bookmark in your book.

The butterfly bookmark may sit along the top edge of the book, or you can arrange it so that it extends from the side.

Instructions for Drawing Your Own Bookmark

1. Print out the template.

Trace the bookmark outline using our printable template. Use a pencil for the outline, and adjust the wing shape if you would like.

2. Sketch and trace the wing pattern.

Draw the inner wing pattern with a pencil. Next, outline both the complete bookmark and its design with the black acrylic paint marker.

3. Fill the outline with color.

Allow the outline to dry completely before erasing the pencil lines. Afterward, fill the black exterior of the butterfly pattern with an acrylic paint marker or black marker.

4. Add color or paint to the wings.

5. Paint on the white spots.

After the black acrylic paint has dried, use a white acrylic paint pen to place the white dots along the outer wing.

This is how the completed hand-drawn bookmarks appear:

Download the Template