Paper Punches: A Versatile Investment for Every Crafter
When it comes to card-making and scrapbooking, the options for tools and accessories can feel endless—and expensive! That’s why it’s worth choosing supplies that not only work well but also give you flexibility across projects. One of the best investments a paper crafter can make? Paper punches.
Why Paper Punches?
Punches come in a huge variety of designs and are quick, easy, and versatile. Whether you’re just starting your crafting journey or you’ve been at it for years, punches can help you create beautiful, professional-looking designs without breaking the bank.
Here are some creative ways to get the most out of your punches:
1. Create New Shapes
By layering, combining, or positioning different punched shapes, you can create animals, flowers, and unique patterns. For example, punch out four or five hearts with a Full Heart Punch and arrange them into a flower or four-leaf clover.
2. Design Intricate Borders
Cut strips of cardstock and use punches to create repeating patterns along the edges. With careful alignment, you can form a continuous border design that looks custom-made for your cards or scrapbook pages.
3. Add Fancy Corners
Elevate the corners of your cards with a rounded look or use specialty punches like the Hole Punch Assortment punch to add a polished touch.
4. Make Dimensional Paper
Punch multiple shapes, layer them together, and let them “pop up” off your page for 3D interest. This works beautifully with flowers, butterflies, or other punches.
5. Create a Stencil
Don’t throw away the leftover paper after punching! Use it as a stencil by sponging ink into the negative space. This technique adds depth and design variety without needing extra tools.
6. Align Images Perfectly
When punching a stamped image, turn your punch upside down. This way you can see exactly where the punch lines up, ensuring accuracy every time.
Keeping Punches in Top Shape
To get the best results, maintain your punches regularly:
- Sharpen → Punch through aluminum foil.
- Lubricate → Punch through waxed paper to keep parts moving smoothly.
- Check → Make sure no bits of paper are stuck inside before cutting.
Final Thoughts
Paper punches are far more than simple shape-makers. With a little creativity, they can help you build intricate borders, dimensional layers, fun patterns, and more. They’re a tool that pays for itself in versatility and creativity—making them a must-have in any papercrafter’s toolkit.
Which punch is your go-to? I’d love to hear how you use them in your projects!
