What Are Punches?

 Punches are tools for cutting out or embossing paper or thin cardboard into a specific shape. They resemble the well-known hole punchers.

They usually have a plastic or metal body with a cutting metal part.

Each punch is designed to cut out a specific shape. There are various types, with which you can cut out all kinds of figures – animals such as kittens, puppies, bears, chicks, and bunnies; insects like bees and beetles; all kinds of flowers – roses, daisies, leaves; geometric figures – squares, circles, triangles, polygons, stars, and many others.

The shape is indicated on each puncher with a small picture. This way, you can see what you’re buying.

The range of paper thickness each machine can handle is different. Factory packaging has specified sizes to guide you on the thickness of paper and cardboard you can cut with it.

If there’s no description on the product, it’s a good idea to test it on-site to see what cardstocks you can use.

Punches are suitable for making various cards, invitations, albums, and other scrapbooking projects.

Types

 There are three types of punches according to the arrangement of the figure or element obtained on the sheet. They can be single, corner, and border punches.

1. Single

Single punches represent a separate detail that can be placed at different places on the sheet you want to decorate.

What you need to consider with single punches is the length of their arm.

2. Corner

Corner punches, as the name suggests, are used for shaping the corners of sheets and cardstocks. They can give different shapes to the corners for a more beautiful look on your creative projects.

Used for decorating cards, invitations for all occasions, making notebooks, albums, cardboard photo frames, collages.

3. Border

Border punches represent a longer element or a composition of details that serve to decorate decorative strips or make decorative sheets.

In many cases, they have a special base, thanks to which it’s easy to align and continue the chosen motif. This way, you can go around the entire sheet. When combining a border with a suitable corner punch, you can easily make a beautiful base for a card or an album page.

 Applications

1. For making cards and invitations

Punches are used in making cards, invitations, and scrapbooking. You can cut out various shapes and figures with these tools. You’ll find a wide variety of punches that can cut out any shape you can think of.

You can choose punches to cut out stars, hearts, animals – kittens, dolphins, insects, birds, puppies, bears, flowers of various designs, as well as geometric figures – squares, triangles, circles, etc.

These tools are a must-have when making cards for different occasions – birthdays, name days, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Easter, wedding invitations, baptisms, and many other occasions.

Using cutting punches will make each of your creations unique and unforgettable.

A handmade card will be a great surprise for any close friend. People appreciate handmade things because they are creative and demonstrate love and dedication.

Creating handmade invitations would impress anyone you want to invite to your special holiday.

2. Scrapbooking

In scrapbooking, they are used to decorate handmade notebooks, albums, books, cutting out various motifs.

Besides cutting specific elements, punches are also used for decorating the corners and edges of cards, invitations, pages, and covers in scrapbooking.

Cut-out elements can be used in cards and invitations by sticking them on to recreate separate 3D plots and pictures.

3. For making frames

With these decorating tools, you can create exceptional photo frames.

For this, you will need colored craft cardboard in shades of your choice and punches with different decorating tips.

You can make original photo frames in various shapes and sizes, even a combination of frames.

Additionally, you can decorate them with glitter, beads, stones, ribbons, metal elements.

4. For decorating various types of cardboard and paper

Punches with cutting function can be used both for making a decorative hole and for creating small punched figures under a certain shape.

Besides cutting, there are also embossing punches, with which you can easily decorate the surface of the paper and cardboard you’re working with. Embossing on paper is used in making cards and invitations. The paper becomes embossed and looks even more interesting.

What can you combine with the use of punches?

When working with decorating punches, you can also use decorative scissors. With them, you can further embellish the cardstocks and sheets you use.

The combination of the two tools will yield unique results. You will get the most beautiful and original cards and invitations for all occasions and the most interesting pages of the handmade notebooks, organizers, albums, family books, and cardboard photo frames you make.

What to Consider Before Purchasing

When working with punches, you need to consider the thickness of the sheet or cardboard you are cutting. The paper packaging tells you which paper weights you can use. But it may not always have information about the cutting parameters of punches. So, make sure it’s suitable for your paper before buying.

If there are no specified parameters upon purchase, first test the punch on thinner paper and gradually increase the thickness until cutting becomes difficult. When there is difficulty in cutting, it’s good not to attempt to cut, as you risk bending or breaking the blades. The thickest paper or cardboard used with punches is 250 g/m².

There are punches for cutting figures that have a smaller range. The most common ones cut up to 160 g/m² or up to 220 g/m².

To extend their life, you should periodically sharpen them by pressing on aluminum foil. This way, you will be able to use your punches for a very long time.

Cutting and embossing punches are made in small and very convenient sizes for storage and use. Some of them are even made as keychains, so you can easily store them, carry them with you, and hang them in a convenient place.

With their help, you can realize any idea you have. Any figure you think of can be recreated with these tools.

There are various forms and elements for cutting, making the creation of cards with different themes easy, accessible, and convenient.

They can be used by adults and children, as they are maximally safe.

Children love these small cutting machines.

Using the small punches is extremely easy. This is a wonderful way to spend more time with your children.

Together, you can create unique cards and invitations using punches with different cutting shapes. Thus, you will develop their creative skills, dexterity, diligence, precision, creative attitude, aesthetic sense, and allow them to unleash their imagination.

If you’re unsure how exactly to use these tools, you can look for video tutorials online. There you’ll see how to properly cut the shapes you want. Additionally, you can gather more interesting ideas to include in your cards, invitations, and notebooks.

Applied arts are a wonderful way to relax and get rid of stressful thoughts.

Working with your hands and using your imagination is a great way to relieve stress.

Prices

In the EM ART online store, we strive to maintain low and accessible prices for our customers. We often have sales and special offers

The price of each product in the category depends on its type, purpose, and functions it has.

Why EM ART?

EM ART is a well-stocked online store for hobby materials. We offer a wide variety of tools, beads, paper, cardboard, jewelry accessories, decorative materials, and gift packaging at affordable prices.

All our products are made from high-quality and safe materials.

With us, you can shop both wholesale and retail. For wholesale traders, we have preferential prices.

Delivery

After selecting and adding the hobby materials you want in your cart, you need to enter your personal details – names, contact phone number, and the address where you want to receive your package.

Unleash your imagination with EM ART!