How to Make an Origami Corner Bookmark

I love bookmarks — you can never have too many. I don’t like folding pages, so I always use an origami corner bookmark to keep my place in a book.

If you feel the same, it helps to have a few on hand. Plain rectangular bookmarks are useful, but corner bookmarks are playful, compact, and easy to make. These whimsical origami corner bookmarks are perfect for adding personality to your reading and also make a thoughtful handmade gift for any book lover.

They’re simple to fold, require only a few supplies, and offer endless decoration possibilities. Use them to make monsters, animals, characters, or patterned designs — anything that suits your style.

Supplies You’ll Need

• 1 square of thin colored paper, about 6″ x 6″ (origami paper or regular copy/printer paper works well)
• Red paper for a tongue or mouth (thicker cardstock can add durability, but it’s optional)
• White paper for eyes and teeth
• 1″ circle punch (optional) or a pencil to draw eye circles
• Glue (glue tape, craft glue, or a glue stick)
• Black marker or pen for details
• Scissors

Thin paper folds easily and gives the cleanest creases; origami paper is ideal. Thicker paper works well for small additions like the tongue or teeth to help them last longer.

How to Make an Origami Corner Bookmark

Follow these easy steps to fold the basic corner bookmark. Once the base is complete, add eyes, teeth, a tongue, and other details to turn it into a character.

Step 1. Start with a square piece of paper.

Step 2. Fold it in half diagonally to form a triangle.

Step 3. Fold the right corner of the triangle so it meets the bottom corner.

Step 4. Repeat with the left corner, folding it to meet the bottom corner.

Step 5. Unfold both corners so you’re back to the triangle shape.

Step 6. Fold the top flap of the triangle point upward so the point meets the top edge; keep this fold in place.

Step 7. Fold the right corner inward to line up with the top edge.

Step 8. Repeat with the left corner, folding it inward to meet the top edge.

Step 9. Unfold both the right and left corners again.

Step 10. Locate the right crease you made earlier and fold the right corner down along that crease.

Step 11. Tuck the folded corner underneath the top flap so it sits neatly inside.

Step 12. The right side should now be folded and secured under the flap.

Step 13. Repeat the same folding and tucking on the left side. This completed shape is the base of your corner bookmark.

Now you have a small pocket that slips over the corner of a page. The rest is decoration — have fun!

Step 14. Add eyes. Use a hole punch or draw and cut two circles from white paper.

Step 15. Glue the eyes onto the bookmark and add pupils and details with a black marker.

Step 16. Make teeth from a strip of white paper. Cut a narrow rectangle, then shape the top edge into teeth using zig-zags, curves, or triangles.

Step 17. Glue the teeth in place on the lower part of the face.

Step 18. Cut a tongue from red paper, or create a small mouth from patterned or colored paper for added strength, and glue it under the teeth.

Step 19. For eyelids, cut another circle in half and glue the halves above the eyes. Add any other features you like — freckles, horns, spots, or stripes — with markers and paper cutouts.

Your origami corner bookmark is ready to use. Slip it over a page corner and enjoy a charming, handmade marker that brightens your reading.

How Long Does It Take to Make One?

These bookmarks are quick to make. Folding the base takes only a few minutes, and decorating a character usually takes an additional 5–10 minutes. Expect about 10–15 minutes per bookmark, depending on how detailed you want to be.

Materials & Equipment

• Materials: thin colored paper (6″ x 6″), red paper, white paper, glue, marker, scissors
• Equipment: scissors, optional 1″ hole punch

Step-by-Step Summary

1. Fold a square in half diagonally to make a triangle.
2. Fold each bottom corner up to the top, then unfold to form creases.
3. Create a pocket by folding the top flap up and tucking the side corners under it.
4. Decorate with eyes, teeth, a tongue, and extra details using paper, glue, and markers.

These origami corner bookmarks are a fun, low-cost craft that’s great for kids and adults alike. Make a bunch to match different books, or give them as little handmade gifts — they’re practical, playful, and easy to personalize.

More craft ideas:

• Bookmark with paper clips (simple and quick)
• DIY bookmarks for kids (easy kid-friendly designs)
• Rainbow popsicle stick craft
• Paper plate snails
• Handprint cactus craft