TOP 10 AMAZING DECORATIVE PAPER PUNCH EVERY SCRAPBOOKER NEEDS AND HOW TO USE THEM

Decorative paper punches are the ''affordable luxury'' of scrapbooking and paper crafts. They are a fun way to add flair to any scrapbook page and offer a precision that cutting by hand with other scrapbooking tools just can't replicate. 💯

Starting with simple shape punches, then onto border punches and corner punches, and finally novelty shapes, I'll walk you through some really useful paper punches and how to use them.

I have focussed on the Fiskars range of punches for this discussion but feel free to find the equivalent in any brand you can get your hands on and is in your stock budget. I personally like Fiskars for their range of ''Easy Squeezy'' punches that reduce hand fatigue when punching.

So without further ado and in no particular order, here are ten amazing decorative paper punches that you will wonder how you ever lived without.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. Simple Shape Punches
a. Tag Maker

b. Classic Round Shape

c. Classic Block Shape

2. Border Punches

a. Lace Border Edges

b. Heart Border Edges
c. Scalloped Border Edges

d. 3-in-1 Startlet Corner Punch
e. Circle Corner Punch

3. Novelty Shape Punches
a. Set of Four

b. Butterfly Decorative Punches

4. Final Thoughts
5. BONUS Tip!

SIMPLE SHAPE PUNCHES

#1- TAG MAKER

I think nearly every scrapbooker has used a tag shape in a layout at some point. They are just so versatile!

However, cutting them out by hand every single time wears thin after a while and buying them premade often means you don't quite get what you want.

This cool Fiskars tag maker makes it really easy to create perfectly proportioned tags each and every time.

The cool thing about this paper punch is that it features a second tag hole punch which means you can get the eyelet hole in perfect position every single time.

It even has a handy little feature to help put the eyelet on itself!

HOW TO USE THIS TAG MAKER PAPER PUNCH

This paper punch is a depress lever style which means you insert your paper into the large slot and press down on the lever to punch out the perfect tag shape.

Next, you take the tag shape, and insert the smaller end into the small eyelet hole punch and push down again to cut out the mini hole.

Finally, slip the tag hole over the peg on the back of the punch, drop the eyelet in and push down one last time to set the eyelet in place.

Perfect tags every time! 💖

#2 - CLASSIC ROUND SHAPE

This classic round shape decorative paper punch is one that you will keep reaching for again and again.

It cuts a usable size circle measuring 1.5 inches allowing you to embellish your scrapbooking layouts in multiple different creative ways.

Add letters to the circles for your titles, use them as multicolored background elements, or even make a pretty bunch of ''balloons'' out of them.

HOW TO USE THIS CLASSIC CIRCLE SHAPE DECORATIVE PAPER PUNCH

This paper punch is Fiskars' much-loved squeezy style, which requires less stress on your hands to cut through the paper.

Simply place your paper into the slot and squeeze the handles together to punch out your circle shape.

The open punch head design allows you to see the paper before cutting it out which means no more waste as you can cut your shape really close to the edge of the paper.

Get a perfect round shape with one simple squeeze!

#3 - CLASSIC BLOCK SHAPE

Just like the above round shape, this classic block shape decorative paper punch is one that will get a workout.

Measuring 1.5 inches across, the squares can be used in so many different ways.

From making gift box shapes to square patterns across the page through to blocks for placing your letters on, this paper punch is limited only by your imagination.

HOW TO USE THIS CLASSIC BLOCK SHAPE PAPER PUNCH

This block shape paper punch also makes use of the easy-to-use squeeze style and is used in the exact same way as the classic circle shape craft punch above.

BORDER PUNCHES

#4 - LACE BORDER EDGES

This pretty lace border edge decorative paper punch adds a touch of class to your scrapbooking layouts.

I love to place my lace border edges down on top of a contrasting color so that the contrast peeks through the lace pattern in my scrapbooking layouts.

Lace border edge paper punches come in a variety of styles and can be repeated easily along the length of the paper.

HOW TO USE THIS LACE BORDER EDGE PAPER PUNCH

This paper punch is a push-down lever-style so all you do is simply push your paper into the large slot so that it rests up against the back of the paper punch and push down on the lever to cut out your pretty lace pattern.

If you wish to continue the pattern along the length of the paper, simply re-insert your paper, making sure to line up your previously cut lace pattern with the silhouette markings on the paper punch so that the next cut transitions smoothly.

Fancy up your pages with lace borders!

#5 - HEART BORDER EDGES

This pretty heart border edge decorative paper punch is just really cute and as that hearts are so versatile when it comes to scrapbooking and papercrafts, this will be one much loved decorative paper punch.

Of course, you don't have to use hearts. Border edges come in numerous novelty shapes!

HOW TO USE THIS HEART BORDER EDGE PAPER PUNCH

This paper punch is a push-down lever-style and is used in the exact same way as the lace border edge punch above.

Put an extra romantic touch

to your page by adding heart borders

#6 - SCALLOPED BORDER EDGES

This cute scalloped border edge decorative paper punch is a versatile shape that will add a little extra ''wow'' to any scrapbooking layout no matter which way you use it. ✨

HOW TO USE THIS SCALLOPED BORDER EDGE PAPER PUNCH

This paper punch is a push-down lever-style and is used in the exact same way as the lace border edge punches above.

CORNER PUNCHES

#7 - 3-IN-1 STARLET CORNER PUNCH

This 3-in-1 starlet decorative corner paper punch is great value for money with three different choices of corner designs in the one little punch.

The ''starlet'' theme is a nice generic theme that will work well across a variety of scrapbooking layouts.

HOW TO USE THIS STARLET 3-IN-1 CORNER PUNCH

A knob on the back of the punch is used to rotate around to the design you want and then it is used just like any of the other squeeze style punches.

Simply place the corner of your paper into the slot and squeeze the handles together to punch out your chosen shape.

Differentiate your pages

by using different corner designs for each spread.

#8 - CIRCLE CORNER PUNCH

This circle corner decorative paper punch is really versatile and great for adding interest to the layers within your scrapbooking layout.

The generic circle theme will work well across a variety of scrapbooking layouts.

HOW TO USE THIS CIRCLE CORNER PUNCH

This lever style punch works exactly the same as the other lever styles mentioned.

There is a white paper guide to help position the corner of your craft paper in the correct spot and then all you do is press down on the lever at the top to punch out the shape.

NOVELTY SHAPE PUNCHES

#9 - SET OF FOUR CONFETTI PUNCHES

This set of four confetti decorative paper punches are a fun way to add some interest to not only scrapbooking pages but other papercraft projects as well.

They are great for making use of scrap paper and I personally love them as I can give the kids the important job of making confetti and sorting it into little containers when they ask to help with my scrapbooking.

HOW TO USE THESE CONFETTI PUNCHES

This lever style punch works exactly the same as the other lever styles mentioned.

There is a little built-in confetti catcher at the bottom of the punch to house all the pieces until you empty them out into a little container.

Don't throw away your scrap paper, use them as confetti instead!

#10 - BUTTERFLY DECORATIVE PAPER PUNCHES

Butterflies are a versatile novelty shape when it comes to scrapbooking layouts and a butterfly decorative paper punch will not go wasted on any scrappers desk.

I love the simple design and the ability to make use of my brightly patterned scrap paper.

HOW TO USE THIS BUTTERFLY PAPER PUNCH

This squeeze style punch works exactly the same as the other squeeze styles mentioned above.

Simply line up your scrap paper and squeeze the handles together to cut out your cute butterfly shape.

Layer your butterfly cutouts

with flower embellishments to add dimension to your page!

So there we have it, ten amazing decorative paper punches that every scrapper needs to add to their scrapbook supplies and how to use them.

Do you have a favorite from our list? Have you created something amazing with your paper punches? We'd love to see your ideas!

Want to learn how you can build various layouts with the help of these decorative punches? Check out our books and discover plenty of amazing ways to design your scrapbook page!