3D Printed Bookmarks & Bookends for Keen Readers
If your bookshelves are messy and you're tired of boring paper bookmarks, check out these awesome 3D printed bookends and bookmarks!
Is your bookshelf or library full of great books on 3D printing and design, but a complete mess? We’re here to help you get organized and stay focused on your reading.
We’ve scoured the internet and put together a list of the coolest, most interesting, and most impressive 3D printable bookmarks and bookends.
While printing templates vary slightly, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Of course, bookends need to be sturdy, as they have a lot to hold! You may need to attach your print to a base to give it extra weight and keep everything in place. Stronger filaments, infill percentages and patterns, as well as the design of the model, can all contribute to how effectively they hold your books.
On the other hand, markers are a great place to start if you’re new to 3D printing, as they’re quick, easy, and generally straightforward prints.
If you find a design you like but don’t have the means or inclination to 3D print it, try Craftcloud. With a variety of materials and finishes, your bookend accessory will be on its way in just a few clicks.
Now, dust off those book covers and let’s get organized with our list of great prints!
Bookmarks
From the simplest to the most striking, complex, and colorful patterns. Check them out and choose one or all of them for each of your favorite books!
Bookshark
Can you imagine a mini shark fin sliding between the pages of your book? Bookshark transforms this image into a light and fun piece to mark how far you’ve gotten in your reading. Minimalist and comical, it stands out for being quick to print and economical in terms of filament use, worthy reasons to make it a new classic among 3D markers.
Printing it doesn’t require major adjustments: The model prints flat, without the need for supports, which saves a lot of time. It works well with layer heights between 0.12 mm and 0.2 mm, and PLA should do the trick nicely. The only thing to be careful about is removing the model from the print bed. Since it’s thin, the Bookshark can warp if pulled off without care, so using a spatula can make it a smoother process.
- Who designed it? blecheimer
- How printable/popular is it? With over 2,000 makes and more than 5,800 downloads across different platforms, this fun design has already swam into plenty of tales.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Printables, Makerworld
Claws
Not at all understated, Claws looks like it stepped out of a horror movie, with skeletal fingers and enormous nails clinging to the edge of your book. It’s one of those bookmarks that will become a talking point, whether you’re reading casually or it’s sitting on your bookshelf at home. It’s the kind of print that screams “look at me” without using a single word, so if you’re someone who likes something truly unique and impressive, this is the bookmark for you!
Using a thin layer height (0.16 mm or less) is a surefire way to capture the smooth curves of the model without making the piece brittle. Many users have commented that the claw tip can become fragile if the first layer adhesion isn’t perfect, so a skirt or raft can help hold everything in place. For the finishing touch, a simple paint job on the claw tips can transform this print into a predatory little work of art!
- Who designed it? guillermytho
- How printable/popular is it? 5,800 downloads, 42 makes, and 7 remixes make it clear that this quirky bookmark is already a community favorite.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Printables
Cat Paw
Nothing is more fair than to let our feline friends be represented in our reading! This paw print bookmark is pure charm and quite popular; it’s cute, visually simple, and highly recognizable. Ideal for cat fans, children, or any reader who prefers a more affectionate touch in the middle of the page, it works both as a bookmark and as a decorative gift.
Another advantage is that it’s quick to make; one of the profiles shared on MakerWorld, for example, indicates an average time of 22 minutes for 3 simultaneous pieces.
It’s worth noting that this is a fused deposition modeling (FDM) printable model, and users like assertchris have reported that while it’s possible to print in resin, it can be very frustrating to do post-processing. Maker gidden tried out three different height scales, with a different number of layers (using a 0.2-mm nozzle and 0.12-mm layer height): At 40%, the bookmark has 3 layers, at 50% it has 4 layers, and at 100% it has 8. They suggest that three layers are enough, but if you want a firmer or more resistant marker, you can opt for more layers.
- Who designed it? Dada3Dcraft
- How printable/popular is it? An impressive 26,200 downloads and 7,300 makes show that this cute design has clearly captured the hearts of makers.
- Where to find it? Printables, MakerWorld
Multicolor Patterned
These bookmarks are a blast to style! With over 20 pattern variations, they transform the simple habit of marking a page into a creative opportunity. Each model is made to play with colors, ideal for those who have printers with automatic filament change or who want to try unusual combinations. The modern, geometric design is perfect for readers who like to bring an artistic touch to their books.
The designer created this to try out their Prusa XL, and they share that a printer needs to support at least three colors to achieve the same results with the simplest designs, while for the more complex ones, up to five color changes are required. Each marker is 1-mm thick, and to add cool anisotropic highlight patterns like in this video, the designer recommends using silky filament with a high infill percentage, and not sanding the top.
- Who designed it? Reavenk
- How printable/popular is it? Though fairly new, these colorful bookmarks are gaining traction with over 100 downloads each from Thingiverse alone.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Printables
Page Marker
This is a bookmarker with a simplicity that delights. It’s the kind of brilliant idea that only seems obvious after you see it finished. Its compact and discreet format not only saves filament, but also allows you to print several at once – perfect for voracious readers, gifts, or to organize by color, genre, or author. And as the name promises, it’s literally a project that’s ready in a minute.
The designer has made life even easier by including the G-code to print a single piece or a batch of 12, all set up with a 0.2-mm layer height. The versions come in three thicknesses: 0.4 mm (the author’s favorite), 0.6 mm, and 0.8 mm, this latter in case you want something firmer. And don’t worry about compatibility, both PLA and PETG work perfectly, so you can use whichever you have on hand.
- Who designed it? ObiWanJabroni
- How printable/popular is it? Simple and practical, this model has already accumulated nearly 1,000 downloads, dozens of makes, and almost a handful of remixes.
- Where to find it? Printables
Bookends
If you love reading, you’ll probably also love good organization. Keep your books tidy while brightening up your space!
Deathly Hallows
This model is pure witchy elegance. A depiction of the Deathly Hallows appears with well-defined angles and a solid base in two parts, which not only pay homage to the Harry Potter saga, but also serve as great bookends. The minimalist design appeals to both hardcore fans and those who just want a discreet themed piece on their bookshelf. Charming and without exaggeration, but with a well-balanced magical touch, it’s a must-have in your decor.
Maker Oldandnerdy printed the model scaled up 150%, which made it reach around 280 mm in height. To ensure greater stability, they placed the model lying down on the print bed and added sand to the infill to increase the sturdiness of the piece. On the other hand, PurpleLionPrints opted to print the parts standing up, using tree supports in Cura, and a rainbow filament made the part truly pop.
- Who designed it? OndřejKorynta
- How printable/popular is it? 30 makes and 2,500 downloads mark the journey of this magical design so far.
- Where to find it? Printables
Kindle Stand
This bookend has a bit of an ironic twist. While it holds your physical books, it also doubles as a Kindle dock, with space for a charging cable! It’s almost a visual joke about the end of printed books. The design is clean, functional, and comes in four variations. It’s ideal for those who live between two worlds, paper and digital.
The model is already positioned in the best orientation for printing, so just choose a nice filament like silk PLA, as chosen by SandyK. The designer indicates that the model should fit any Kindle model, and it can be a nice choice to give as a gift to friends or family.
- Who designed it? Jaatinen3D
- How printable/popular is it? Currently boasting over 750 downloads and 5 makes across different sites, this design is growing in popularity among users.
- Where to find it? Printables, Thingiverse, Thangs
Dinosaur
These dinosaur-shaped bookends are an explosion of color and fun! Each side features a cute dino, transforming any bookshelf into a Jurassic setting. They’re great for catching the attention of little ones and even nostalgic adults. Even with few makes, the number of downloads suggests that the model pleases those looking for something playful and aimed at children.
The model has been optimized for the Bambu Lab X1C, but can be printed on any well-calibrated machine with a 0.4-mm nozzle and selecting a 0.12-mm layer height. The designer recommends opting for adaptive layers, a light infill (15% for dinosaurs, 10% for supports), and enabling tree supports on the base only. They warn that, though marks may appear in hidden areas, sanding with 400 grit should fix them. For best bed adhesion, a brim is also suggested.
- Who designed it? Jinivus 3D
- How printable/popular is it? Colorful and fun, this set has already reached over 1,000 downloads across different repositories.
- Where to find it? Thingiverse, Thangs, Printables
Practical
Simple, functional, and quick to print, this model lives up to its name. It’s the kind of stand that doesn’t try to be the star of the shelf, but rather to fulfill its role efficiently. The clean look allows it to match any environment, and the slight internal curvature helps keep the books in place without causing deformations in the covers; it’s highly praised by many users. STLDad6, for example, says he printed several for his wife’s book club.
The designer recommends printing the model sideways for strength, using a few easily removable supports. He suggests enabling adaptive layer height and opting for two walls and 5% infill. If necessary, you can scale to fit larger or smaller shelves without too much hassle.
- Who designed it? Alex
- How printable/popular is it? Fast and efficient, this minimalist design stands out with 1,700 downloads and 1,300 prints.
- Where to find it? MakerWorld
The Struggle
The Struggle Bookend model is a fun (and painfully realistic) representation of the struggle it can be to keep up with your reading. This functional counter is perfect for challenging yourself by keeping track of how many times you’ve stuck to reading, and how many times you’ve been doing something else. The counter itself is a remix based on MuchMore’s design.
You can customize the tags to suit your needs, and although the designer recommends using a marker and liquid paper to paint some parts, other approaches are also possible. For example, you can try the pause at height method to change the filament, and consequently the color of the letters and edges of the tag.
- Who designed it? SimpleBQT
- How printable/popular is it? With nearly 13,000 views and over 300 downloads, this fun bookend is attracting attention.
- Where to find it? Cults, Printables
License: The text of "3D Printed Bookmarks & Bookends for Keen Readers" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.