Make & keep
Make a bookmark from a photo strip copy
Preserve the original and design a usable reading keepsake.
A tall portrait strip fits naturally beside a book page when you work with a reproduction.
Size the working copy
Print a copy at a comfortable bookmark size and check that faces and caption remain readable. Add a wider backing if the strip is too narrow to handle easily. Keep the original photograph separately; repeated handling, folds and contact with pages belong to the expendable keepsake rather than the archive.
Evidence: Preservation guidance
Check the finished object
Test the bookmark in an ordinary book without forcing the binding. Avoid bulky decorations or loose parts that catch on pages. Keep adhesive away from the portrait’s visible surface and let materials settle before use. Save the digital layout so you can replace a worn bookmark without recapturing the original.
Sources & further reading
Sources for the specific facts and product descriptions above. Our worked examples, interpretations and practical suggestions are original editorial guidance.
- US National Archives — storing family archivesPreservation guidance