Not sure which paper punches are worth buying? A punch cuts a clean shape or hole from paper in one press. Choose lever, hand or office styles by the job: shapes, small holes or bigger stacks.
| Item | Key fact |
|---|---|
| What a craft punch does | Cuts a shape out of paper |
| Craft punch comparison | Works like a much larger hole punch |
| Clever Lever construction | Metal blade in a plastic body with a lever |
| Largest Clever Lever size | Extra Giga |
| Swingline lever hole punch capacity | 32 sheets |
| Swingline hole sizes | 9/32″, 11/32″ or 13/32″ |
Figures come from Uchida and Swingline. Product specifications can change, so check the source before you rely on them.
This guide sits inside our wider look at paper cutting tools. It is independent and not connected to any brand named here.
What paper punches actually do
A craft punch is, in the words of one maker, “a tool used for paper crafting that “punches” a shape out of paper.” The same source says to “think of paper punches as much larger hole punches.”
That simple idea covers a lot of ground. You press, a blade cuts through the paper, and you keep either the shape that drops out or the sheet with the shape missing.
Both results are useful:
- The cut-out piece becomes confetti, a layered flower, a tag or a label.
- The sheet with the hole becomes a window, a stencil or a frame for a card.
- A row of small holes can become a lace-style border or a ribbon slot.
The main types of paper punches
Most punches fall into a handful of families. Knowing the family tells you how much effort a punch takes and what it suits.
Lever punches
A lever punch has a handle that multiplies your hand pressure, so the blade goes through paper with less effort. Uchida describes its Clever Lever line this way: “The sharp metal blade cuts smoothly while the plastic lever makes punching easy.”
The same maker sells several sizes, and says the Extra Giga is “the largest of the Clever Lever Paper Punches.” Larger shapes need more cutting length, so a lever is the sensible choice there.
Squeeze or hand punches
Small hand punches are held in the palm and squeezed. They suit confetti, hang holes for gift tags and tiny accents, where the blade is short and little force is needed.
Builder and specialty punches
Some punches are designed to be combined. Stampin’ Up! says its builder punches let you “mix and match paper colors and patterns as well as placement” to make larger designs from individual shapes. Its Bee Builder Punch is the example given for making bees from simple pieces.
These are good value if you like making characters, because a few simple shapes become many different pictures.
Office hole punches
Office punches are made for binder holes, but they can be handy in craft work. Swingline’s lever-handle model lists a “32 sheet paper punch capacity” and the ability to “punch 9/32″, 11/32″ or 13/32″ holes.”
Sheet capacity refers to ordinary office paper. Layered cardstock fills that capacity much faster, so punch a few sheets at a time.
Choosing the right punch for your project
Start from what you make most often, not from the shape that looks prettiest in a shop.
- Decide on size. Small shapes suit hand punches. Large shapes, such as a card window, suit a lever.
- Think about the paper. Very thin paper may need a backing sheet for a clean cut; follow the punch maker’s instructions. Heavy card needs a punch rated by its maker for that paper weight; do not force it. Our guide to types of craft paper explains how weights differ.
- Check the shape’s versatility. Circles, squares, hearts and scallops are used over and over. A themed shape may sit in a drawer.
- Look at the handle. A comfortable grip matters if you punch many pieces in a session. Padded or rounded handles tire the hand less.
If you are buying only one, a plain circle is the usual first choice. It works for tags, dots, flower centres and windows.
Creative ways to use paper punches
Punches save time because every piece comes out identical. According to Stampin’ Up!, punches “bring depth and interest to any card, especially when combined with coordinated stamps or used to build unique designs.”
Try these ideas:
- Punch several circles in different sizes and stack them to make a layered flower.
- Cut a window in a card front and attach a patterned sheet behind it.
- Make confetti from scraps and tuck it into an envelope or a gift box.
- Punch matching tags, then add a hole and a ribbon for gift wrapping.
- Use builder shapes to assemble animals, houses and other small scenes.
Uchida lists scrapbooks, greeting cards, place cards and bookmarks among the uses for its punches. Scraps from other projects are perfect fodder, which keeps waste low.
Building a small starter collection
You do not need a drawer full of shapes. A short, well-chosen set covers most card-making jobs and keeps your desk tidy.
- One circle punch in a mid size for tags, dots and flower centres.
- One larger lever punch for windows and frames.
- One small hand punch for confetti and hang holes.
- One decorative edge or builder punch once you know your style.
Add to the set only when a project calls for it. Buying a shape for a specific card means you will actually use it, and the leftover pieces can feed later designs.
Using and caring for your punches
Place the paper so the shape sits where you want it, press firmly and steadily, then lift away. Most craft punches have a slot or a clear base so you can see where the cut will land.
Uchida also warns that “punched-out shapes will vary in size.” Different shapes in the same punch size category can have different dimensions, so check the actual cut-out dimensions before planning tight layers.
A few habits help a punch last:
- Do not force materials the maker did not intend, such as thick board.
- Empty the catch area regularly so scraps do not jam the blade.
- Store punches flat or upright, away from damp.
Pairing punches with a scoring tool makes folded projects neat. See our notes on bone folder uses for crisp creases on cards you have just punched.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a craft punch and a hole punch?
Show answer
A craft punch cuts a shape, while a hole punch makes a round hole. One maker describes paper punches as “much larger hole punches”, so the two work on the same principle.
Are lever punches better than hand punches?
Show answer
Lever punches take less effort, so they suit larger shapes. Hand punches are fine for small accents and are easy to store.
How many sheets can an office punch cut at once?
Show answer
It depends on the model. One Swingline lever-handle punch lists a 32-sheet capacity for office paper, as given on its product page. Cardstock reduces the number you can punch.
Can I use the paper I punch out?
Show answer
Yes. The cut-out pieces work as confetti, tag shapes or layered embellishments, and the frame left behind can serve as a window or stencil.
