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Craft Punches-Quick Tips




Hole Punchers-The standard hole puncher is 1/4 inch circle, But you can get hole punches in other sizes as well. It is terrific to be able to have different punches. Another feature is a shape hole punch that comes in all kinds of shapes for decorative uses.

 Circle Punches-Again come in various sizes.

 Thick Material Punches- Up until now, most punches are only able to be used with card stock. There is a new brand of punches made by Fiskars that will punch cardboard and other heavier materials.

 Specialty Punches- these punch things like tags, shapes and more

Everywhere Punches- most punches require you yo punch just on the edges of a piece of paper or material. Everywhere punches are unique in that they can punch anywhere on a page.

Corner Punch-a must have for any  serious paper crafter. It rounds off the corner of your paper. Useful for cards and scrapbook pages as well as pictures , tags and more.

 Border Punches - make decorative boarders by just lining up your paper on the design on the punch



With the new cutting machines available, you might think that paper punches have gone out of style. But that has not been the case. Paper crafters still use them because they do not use electric and are easy carried to classes and events. Plus many of us have put a sizeable investment into those punches.

One thing you will find out pretty quickly-paper punches do not work well with thin paper. If you want to punch thin paper, put the thinner paper on top of a heavier paper and punch through both of them.

Here are some quick tips and ideas to make your paper punching easy and fun,

Sharpening Your Punches

  • Aluminum foil has always been recommended to sharpen punches, But if punching through the foil has not worked for you. try punching through sandpaper. It should be very fine sandpaper with a grit of about 400.  (heavier sandpaper will destroy the punch)

Releasing A Jammed Punch

  • If your punch has jammed, try releasing it by placing it in a freezer for several hours. The metal should contract making it easier to release it.
  • You can also try releasing it with WD-40. Leave it for a few hours, then try punching it several times though scrap paper
  • Use a pencil with eraser on top / any rounded thin but strong object to push back the plunger of the punch back up from the under surface of the punch.Be especially careful about your fingers while doing this as punch metal parts are sharp and you can cut your fingers!



Sticking Punch

  • If your punch is sticking, try punching through several layers of waxed paper. 

Punching Tips


  • Always punch on a flat surface to make it easier on your hands
  • Use the heal of your hand and put the full effect of your weight into it
  • Avoid punching papers like adhesive paper, homemade paper, glitter paper, foil and corrugated paper. They won't work and will only frustrate you.


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