Magnetic bookmark with Cricut

In my last post, I used AI tools to make three bookmark/sticker designs. Let’s use one of them now to create a magnetic bookmark with cricut.

If you want to make your own bookmark, you will need:

• an image for the bookmark (you can download one from the last post)
• Cricut Maker 3
• Cricut Design Space
• photo paper
• colour printer
• 1 self-adhesive laminating sheet
• 2 self-adhesive magnets

If you don’t have a Cricut machine and Cricut Design Space, you can use some other graphic editor tool (such as Canva), print your design and cut with scissors.

Uploading the image to Cricut Design Space

I’m using this image as a starting point:

Download the image (png file):

In Cricut Design Space, create a new project. In the Android app, this is done by clicking the green circle with a plus sign at the bottom center of the screen. The laptop instructions can be found on the embedded YouTube videos.

Then tap the Upload icon at the bottom.

Find your image and select it for upload.

When asked, remove the image background (unless you’re already happy with the image).

The automatic tool won’t probably remove all the unwanted parts. Use the Select and Erase tools to finish the job.

Then tap Apply and select Flat Graphic.

Set the image name and select Upload. The image is added to your workspace.

Using the Cricut Design Space

Resize the image to about 5 cm (2 inches). Add a circle from the Shapes.

With the circle selected, tap Edit. Then tap Arrange and Send to Back.

Still in the Edit mode, select the Operation type as Print Then Cut and select the colour for the circle.

Move the circle behind the image and resize it (slightly larger than the image). Select both the image and the circle by dragging your finger to draw a box around them. In the edit mode, tap Align. Center horizontally and vertically.

You should now see something like this:

Both the image and the circle selected, tap Actions and then Attach.

Tap Duplicate. Then select Edit and Vertical and Horizontal.

Now, add a rectangle from the Shapes. Resize and position the rectangle between the circles. Select Edit->Arrange->Send to Back.

Select the rectangle and change its colour and set operation type as Print then Cut. Then select all the pieces and Edit->Align->Center horizontal.

Finally, select Actions and then Flatten. We’re now ready to print the design.

Printing

On Cricut Design Space, select Make it.

You can choose how many copies you want to print, the paper size, etc. If your design doesn’t fit optimally on the paper, you can go back and resize your design.

First, you’ll send the design to your printer. Remember to add the correct paper to your paper tray. I’m using matte photo paper for my bookmarks.

After printing, I’ll cover the print with a self-adhesive laminating sheet with holographic stars on it. Cut the sheet so that it doesn’t cover the black marks on the corners of the print.

Cutting and finishing the bookmark

After printing and laminating, it’s time to put the Cricut machine to work. For my photo paper (+ the laminating sheet), I’ve chosen heavy cardstock.

After cutting, all that is left is folding the bookmarks and attaching the magnets. I’m using 2×2 cm self-adhesive magnets. Make sure that the magnets stick together well when brought close to each other.

So, we’re done!

Join me again soon, when I’ll make some stickers for the first time!