Border Punch Tips and Techniques
Border punches can punch a continuous border along any length of paper by making the first punch, then sliding the paper along in the punch to match the white printed design on either side of the punch base. Where to begin punching depends on your use of the punched piece. If you are punching the edge of a card, you would begin punching in the center of your paper and continue punching out towards each side. Beginning in the center will insure that you will end with the same part of the punched design at each edge of the card. Begin punching in the center of any paper piece that you want to make sure the ends are symmetrical or if you will be layering strips, this will keep the designs in the same place for layering.
To center your first punch design, use the raised notch on the front of your punch, below the orange section (which is the punch area). You can also use the grid lines that are etched onto the bottom area of the punch.
Punching corners: To punch corners, the guidelines for lining up the edge of your paper are the raised ridge on either side of the center raised notch or you can use the grid lines on the base of the punch. Using the grid lines makes it possible to adjust the way the punched designs meet at the corner. Begin by placing one straight edge before the corner into the punch, making sure the straight edge of the paper is along the back edge of the punch. Line the end of the paper with the guideline or a grid line and punch. Take the paper out and turn it so that un-punched side of the paper is in the punch, lining the edge up with the same guideline or grid line, then punch. As long as you line up the edge of your paper with the same guideline on each side, you should have an evenly punched corner. If you want to change the look of your punched corner to leave more space where they meet, use a grid line that is farther away from the raised guideline on the punch.
Punching strips for thin borders: Punching both sides of different widths of strips can result in beautiful intricate borders and embellishments for all your paper crafting projects. Use different widths of strips, punching both sides of it, either matching the design for a mirror image or staggering the design, then add them on their own or layer them on top of each other. For a mirror image, punch one continuous border design along one side, then flip or turn the strip and punch the other side matching the center of the design you have already punched with the raised notch on the center of the punch. Look underneath the punch if you need to determine the center of the design. Continue punching the continuous design along the strip. To stagger the design, instead of matching the center of the design, slide the strip so that the center mark on the punch is halfway between one center of the design and the next. Continue punching the continuous border along the strip.
Punching squares to make punched embellishments: Punching different size squares that are 3” or smaller can create great embellishments. You can layer them, use them for tiles or journaling and the outer piece that remains can be used as frames! To punch a square, place one side in the punch, centering it using the grid lines, then punch. Punch the opposite side in the same way. Now punch the third side, then the last side. Depending on the size of your square, you should have a piece that has the punched design evenly around to create a nice shape. When punching a small size square, such as a 2” one, you will notice that the straight edge of the paper will have been punched off and will be inside the punch, be sure to remove it from your punch before punching the next side. For the smaller squares it is most important to make sure you punch one side then the opposite, so that when you punch the 3rd side, you can center it in the punch using the already punched design on the other sides. Every punch will give you a different look for your punched design using different size squares. More ideas: Practice different punching techniques on scrap paper. Glue the finished designs into a notebook or a sheet of paper making sure to make notes on the size of the square or strip along with which punch you used for future reference.
Layer different width punched border strips on top of each other using different color papers even adding more embellishments on top, such as small punched circles (works well with sunburst to make flowers), rhinestones, stickers, etc.
Cut 1” strips, punch one edge of with 1 design and punch another 1” strip with another design. Place them with the straight edges together, possibly add another color thin strip in the center or leave it plain.
Be creative, experiment with different punches, sizes of squares, strips, layering, staggering and adding embellishments and you will have the most creative paper crafts! By Andi Rothenberg
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