Punches for Crafting: The Must-Have Tool for DIY Enthusiasts

Using paper punches for crafting is a super fun and quick way to level up your handmade card designs

We all know the love and life that exudes from a homemade and handwritten card—getting one is one of the best feelings ever! But giving one comes in at a close second. And while one little stamp and a message of kindness to a friend go a long way in bringing brightness to the world, we’ve got a way to add layer upon layer of adorable goodness to any papercraft project: decorative paper punches!

Punches for crafting bring depth and interest to any card, especially when combined with coordinated stamps or used to build unique designs. And the best part? They take just seconds to create, and a quality craft punch will help you make sweet handmade paper crafts for years to come!

Types of Punches Available from Stampin’ Up!

First, let’s cover a few fundamentals about what a paper punch for crafting is and how to use it.

A craft punch is a tool used for paper crafting that “punches” a shape out of paper. Think of paper punches as much larger hole punches. The hard plastic shell of the punch contains a sharp metal shape that cuts out paper shapes crisply, making it easy for you to produce uniform shapes without stenciling and cutting. (Like the mushroom caps and stem pictured above.) Each punch has a slot on one end to feed in your paper. A punched-out shape is created by inserting paper and pressing firmly while placing the punch on a hard, flat surface.

Some crafters love this kind of quick crafting tool because there is no need to pull out a die cut machine (a great tool for more complex embellishments) or take a chance with scissors. It’s also a great way to prep for a card-making party or lineup of similar cards—like invitations—because you can punch out several uniform shapes in a row and have them prepared for when you’re ready to create.

The shapes you can cut out using paper punches range from very basic to semi-elaborate specialty designs with tons of possible uses at every level of complexity. Let’s explore the variety of craft punches available from Stampin’ Up!

Basic Shape Punches

Basic shape punches are exactly what you’d think: circles, hexagons, ovals, and the like. They’re perfect for adding interest to a card without overwhelming the main focus. But imagine the card below without the floral ovals. It would be pretty, sure. But with them, it reaches another level of complexity and professionalism—just with the use of a basic handheld craft punch.

Decorative Punches

Decorative paper punches take things up a notch from the basic. Now we’re looking at shapes like stars, labels, and tabs which can often pull double duty and be used in multiple ways. For instance, the Little Cheer Mini Punch Pack includes small star, tree, and stocking shapes that can be used to add festive cheer to gift tags, cards, wrapping paper, treat boxes, and more. But don’t underestimate the creative uses for these shapes – a mini stocking can become a baby sock for a baby shower invitation, and a star is welcome on everything from a graduation announcement to a thank you card.

Border Punches

Border punches are slightly different from other paper craft punches in that rather than creating an entire shape for you, they finish your paper off with decorative edging. This can come in multipurpose (and adorable) looks, like a scalloped border that can be used on custom gift tags and more. Using these kinds of punches brings that extra dose of thoughtfulness and elegance to your paper crafts!

Pictured here: is scalloped border on a DIY card from the Elegant Edge Tag Topper Punch. — Pictured here: Elegant Edge Tag Topper Punch

Builder or Specialty Punches

Stampin’ Up! builder punches make some of the coolest papercraft embellishments for easy DIY craft projects! Designed to cut out multiple shapes that build on one another to create a complete and layered look, these specialty paper punches allow for total color customization.

Pictured here is a paper craft using the Bee Builder Punch. — Pictured here: Bee Builder Punch

While the individual shapes remain the same, you can mix and match paper colors and patterns as well as placement to create endlessly cute bees, houses, and mini shapes. And, as if they weren’t special enough, some of the Stampin’ Up! builder punches double as other shapes, drastically increasing their possible uses!

Pictured here is a handmade care made with the Bee Builder Punch. — Pictured here: Bee Builder Punch

Uses of Punches in Crafting

Using paper punches can help streamline your crafting process and help elevate the design of your projects in a fun, efficient way. By mixing up the paper you choose, getting creative with stamp colors, and trying out a few of our favorite tips and tricks with craft punches, you’re going to find a million ways to customize your invitations, gift tags, party banners, handmade cards, and more!

Creative Ways to Layer on the Fun with Punch Designs

Check out some of our favorite ways to use punches for crafting!

Use specialty papers. Even the most basic shapes become extra fun when executed in exciting papers.

Change the size of your punch. Okay, you can’t really change the punch, but you can alter the shape you get from it! Try cutting one side of your paper out with a tag punch, then feeding the other end through before punching again to increase the length of your label.

Pictured here is a crafting project from the To the Point Label Punch. — Pictured here: To the Point Label Punch

Or simply cut the sides off for a smaller version with all the pretty details still attached as was done in the image below. The paper with the stamped “CONGRATS” message was made by using the To The Point Label Punch and trimming off the sides.

The paper with the stamped “CONGRATS” message was made by using the To The Point Label Punch and trimming off the sides. — Pictured here: To the Point Label Punch

Use a punch on repeat. Many punches are perfect for layering up with themselves, not just for making many of the same card or design. By mixing up stamps and papers, you get a unique look with hardly any time taken or tools used.

Layer up with extras. Make even unstamped paper punches pop by adding bits of flair in the form of ribbon, twine, or even decorative tape.

Contact a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator Today!

Paper punches are one of the easiest ways to add a touch of extra to your cards and other paper craft projects. They’re precise, consistent, and—if you’ve purchased quality punches—probably going to last longer than you can imagine. Stampin’ Up! craft punches are made with an all-metal interior, rigorously tested for durability, and designed with modern paper crafting in mind.

Look for your next favorite paper punch for crafting here, or reach out to a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator for a one-on-one chat about even more ways you can use this creative crafting tool!