Enhancing Scrapbook Pages Using Craft Punches

One of the most economical tools that a scrapbooker can invest in a few good paper punches. Why? Because they are somewhat inexpensive considering the variety of designs and uses you will derive from them.

Paper punches come in a wide variety in today's marketplace -- from small to large, mixed sets, to variable-sized, single to dimensional, border to corner. The prices range from $1.00 for a small punch to $25.00 for the larger intricate varieties or sets.

The vast majority of craft paper punches require just a single punch to your paper and you are finished. These are the single figure shapes such as butterflies, balloons, hearts in many shapes and sizes, circles, squares, postage stamps, etc. Some have levers you squeeze together and some you just push down on the button. They range in size from Small to Extra Large (or Jumbo), and are quite simple to use.

Let's look at a few other types of puches:

Corner Punch
The corner punch is exactly what it sounds like. You put the edge of a photo, paper or cardstock into the punch where it nestles securely, and punch down. There are punches that create designs (scallops, lace), round the edges, or even cut slits where you can insert photo corners.

Embossing Punch
Again, as the name implies, this is not literally a punch. While it maintains a particular shape or image, it does not punch all the way through the paper; it raises the image for a more subtle decoration in your scrapbook or on a homemade greeting card. The raised image can be lightly glued and sprinkled with glitter, or a hint of decorator chalk can be rubbed on to highlight the dimensional effect.

Border Punch
Typically a wider punch, the border punch can be used down the border of a photo or paper to give it an elegant edge. Other uses might be to take a 2" strip of cardstock, punch along one long edge, and line it up on your scrapbook page. (Check out the two links below for many ideas using border punches.)

Stacking Punch
A stacking punch is actually a series of punches of the exact same shape in varying sizes from smaller to larger. Punch, stack and layer two or three squares for great results. Each punch makes a mat for the smaller punch (see photo). Stacking punches are typically purchased individually in 2-4 sizes, or some manufacturers such as Creative Memories have two sizes of shapes in one punch. 

Long Reach Punch
This is quite a handy style of punch.  It has long thin handles to grasp so you can punch the paper near the middle of a page.

Double Punch
A double punch punches two shapes out at one time, for example, a square in square, circle withing a circle, heart within a heart.  The result is two sizes of punched out shapes that can be stacked.  These also make frames for small photos or other ornamentation on your project.

Dimensional Punch
What a fun product this is -- one punch offers you several pieces and parts to construct your own figure or scene (see angel photo). You can change the colors of the pieces by making several punches, then mix and match the colors or patterns to create infinite designs.

Foldover Punch
A foldover punch saves you the time and trouble of using a template for a little envelope or even file folders to place on your page for mementos and small notes. It cuts out the piece all at one time and only needs 1-3 folds for completion. For an envelope folder, cut two coordinating colors and piece back-to-back. That will make the inside of the envelope a different color than the outside.

The punches described above will provide you hours of creativity! When seeking punches at your favorite craft store or online, some of the leading manufacturers include EK Success, Martha Stewart, Marvy Uchida (Clever Lever embossing), Fiskars, McGill (dimensional & foldover), Family Treasures, Creative Memories, and many others.

Punch Around The Page Punches

PaperLaces.com

Border Punches Tutorial

Fiskars Border Punch Ideas

Martha Stewart:

• Punched-Paper Photo Ornament
• Edge-Punched Card
• Christmas Tree Photo Cards

Videos

• How to use a Fiskars Circle Border Punch
• How to make Scalloped Borders Using Punches