Practical Paper Punch Procedures

Dear Patti,

I am in the process of making invitations for a charity silent auction.  They were printed on 24lb card stock and I purchased a Heritage punch to do the corners.  I have had to exchange the punch 2 times because after a while the punch just plain locked up.

Is there something I might be doing wrong that is causing this to happen??  If am using the punch for a major project, 500+ Invitations, should
I sharpen or oil it in any kind of way?

Signed,
Punch Puzzled

Dear Punch Puzzled,

Your punch project sounds like a big one!  The volume of work coupled with the weight of your paper might necessitate some special punch care.

Before you begin your next large-scale project, take a trip to your grocery store (or your home pantry).  

If you notice that your punch isn't cutting cleanly through your paper or the edges are bit "fuzzy", you can sharpen your punch by running it through aluminum foil.  

To prevent punch lock-ups, you can simply punch through some wax paper.  The wax paper will loosen the punch and leave a slippery coating on the blade making it easier for you to punch through even the heaviest paper.

Did you know you can also lubricate your paper to prepare it for embossing by rubbing it with a square of wax paper?  I'm sure you'll have some left over, so go get punching and embossing!

Happy Crafting!
Patti

By Patti