Scrapbooking puncher: how to choose and use

Now many people choose to themselves as a hobby some occupation, related to making souvenirs with their own hands. If you decide to design albums, photos, postcards or other products using decorative paper or cardboard, you will definitely need a scrapbooking punch. The thematic cliches will help make wonderful gifts for various holidays. The figure tool is not any more difficult to work with than a regular office stationery, but it is much more interesting.

Why do I need a puncher?

If you had to make round holes in a pile of office paper to install a folder, then you understand what the purpose is for a scrapbooking punch. In fact, this product usually has two functions:

• Obtaining decorative holes;
• Production of small parts for applications.

Thus, the possibilities of a figured puncher are wider than that of a conventional puncher, which allows you to break through only round holes. Figured variants are used for decorating corners, edges or the main field of a sheet with carved holes. Cutting is performed anywhere in the base, as far as the capabilities of the purchased tool permit.

Types of curly punchers

Any punch for scrapbooking has its own parameters and characteristics. Accordingly, it is easy to classify these tools. Firstly, there are different themes of the cliche itself: New Year's, dedicated to lovers, at times of the year, related to the design of children's albums and birth cards, etc. The options are chosen based on the subject matter you need and, of course, financial opportunities, since the price Such a tool is usually rather big.

Secondly, punch holes differ in the size of the hole being pierced. For example, the size of a snowflake can vary from a few millimeters to seven centimeters. Of course, large tools will cost more. With good quality, the hole punch allows you to work with thick paper or cardboard, especially if the punch is a large piece. Although in most cases a certain thickness of the material is recommended. The information should be in the instructions or technical characteristics of the instrument. If there are no special instructions, in order to maintain the punching performance for a long time, it is not worthwhile to abuse the use of high-density sheets.

The third significant difference is the firm-manufacturer. It is the brand that most often determines the cost of the tool and its quality. If you do not need a large number of holes made and you are going to use a specific cliche a few times, then a cheap tool is enough. If you are going to repeatedly apply a punch and constantly use it in your work, do not be stingy and choose brands that guarantee good quality.

Figured puncher for scrapbooking: how to use

Whichever version of the tool you choose, the technology of work will be the same:

1. Take the sheet, designed for decoration.
2. Make a layout where there should be holes. It is especially important if you want to create a pattern from individual elements of a figured cliche. For example, a series of snowflakes or hearts.
3. Insert the sheet to the desired level in the hole punch.
4. Press firmly on the top of the press.
5. Return the puncher to its original position.
6. Remove the cut out element from the cliche (if it remained inside). Use it for application.

Set of scrapbooking punchers

If you decide to choose scrapbooking as your hobby or work with children with creativity, then punchers will often be required. You can buy them individually or buy a set of several. Kits are thematic and contain tools with different cliches. Typically, the set includes tools for making carved corners, edges and creating single holes. Also you can buy a special punch with replaceable cassettes. The tool you use is one, and the holes will be of different shapes.

Where can I buy?

Usually such punchers are sold in specialized stores for creativity and needlework, art salons and departments for artists. In stationery or children's shops, you can also find them, but the assortment, most likely, will be small. Cheap scrapbooking punchers are easy to order online. They are sold without retail mark-up, so their cost is much lower. The assortment of online stores is large both in terms of the forms of the sold clichés and the firms of different manufacturers.

Puncher or punch for embossing?

If you order tools in an online store where there is no description of the characteristics of a specific model, do not confuse the scrapbooking punchers (photo above) with punching for embossing. These tools are similar in appearance. In addition, they also have curly clichés. The difference is that the second does not penetrate the hole through, but only deform the paper structure along the contour of the corresponding shape. At the same time, on one side of the sheet, a convex detail is obtained, and on the other, a dented pattern.

These tools are also very interesting in the work. They are easy to create beautiful decor both on the contours of the postcard, and in any other place. However, if you like the cliche will only be possible function of embossing, and you expect that you order a punch, you will be disappointed. Therefore, carefully choose the product when you make a purchase. And if possible, specify the nuances of interest to consultants. As you can see, a scrapbooking punch is a very useful tool in the creative process. Get yourself at least one thematic option, and your products will acquire a new exceptional look.