If your martial arts school is looking to boost enrollments this summer (and let’s be honest—who isn’t?), there’s one print piece you might not be using yet... but absolutely should:
Customized summer reading bookmarks.
They’re simple, low-cost, and surprisingly powerful when it comes to getting your school in front of families in a way that actually leads to new student sign-ups.
Here’s why they work so well.
Each spring, nearly every elementary and middle school in the country sends students home with summer reading assignments. Whether it’s a required book list, a reading log, or a library challenge, kids are expected to read over the summer. In fact, over 90% of elementary schools in the U.S. assign some kind of summer reading.
That means there’s a built-in opportunity to get your brand into the hands of hundreds of local families—at the exact time they’re thinking about how to keep their kids learning, growing, and staying active. A custom bookmark with your logo, a positive message, and a trial offer can be the perfect way to introduce your school while showing support for something families already value: reading.
And here’s the kicker—schools, libraries, and even camps are happy to hand out bookmarks. They’re not flyers or ads. They’re useful, they feel supportive, and they’re easy to distribute. Teachers and librarians love having extras for students, especially during end-of-year and summer programming. A simple drop-off with a short note like, “We’d love for your students to have these as part of their summer reading tools,” goes a long way.
Even better, bookmarks work with your other print marketing efforts. If you’re already using postcards, flyers, rack cards, or EDDM mailers, bookmarks are a great companion. Tuck them into welcome packets, pass them out at events, include them in your summer camp materials, or pair them with a trial card. They add another touchpoint to your brand—one that tends to stick around longer, since most kids won’t throw away a bookmark they're actively using.
That’s the real magic: bookmarks don’t disappear after one use. They stay in backpacks, book piles, and reading logs all summer long. They get seen repeatedly by both kids and parents. And when you include a QR code that links directly to your sign-up page or summer trial offer, they go from brand exposure to real lead generation.
You’re not just advertising—you’re reinforcing positive values. Messages like “Black Belts Are Strong Readers” or “Kick Through Your Reading Goals” connect your martial arts program to focus, discipline, and academic success. That kind of alignment builds trust before a parent ever walks through your doors.
So yes, bookmarks. They’re small—but they support your entire summer marketing plan. They amplify what you’re already doing with print. They get your school into new places like classrooms, libraries, and camps. And best of all, they help bring in new students—quietly, consistently, and affordably.
We’ve got custom martial arts bookmarks designed to do exactly that. Personalized with your logo, message, and offer—ready to hand out before the school year ends.
Let’s make this summer your biggest yet, one bookmark at a time.