Anyone who enjoys stationery and papercraft creative hobbies will know how much love, thought, and effort goes into creating handmade items, whether a greeting card, envelope, banner, or decorative gift bag bow.
Even if you thoroughly enjoy manually designing, cutting, and assembling pieces of paper and cardstock one by one, know that there are excellent tools available that speed things up without compromising the creative process — like craft punch boards!
We R Memory Keepers is currently one of the most popular craft brands in the market for its innovative line of punch boards and scrapbooking supplies, and, therefore, an excellent source to consider if you’re looking for fun alternatives to optimize your crafting sessions.
Learn more about their lineup below, or keep scrolling to learn more about the company!
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Best craft punch boards
First up are our top picks for the best punch boards by We R Memory Keepers; there’s something for everyone, whether you’re into card making, customizing gift bags, tags, — you name it!
1-2-3 Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers
We R Memory Keeper’s 1-2-3 Punch Board is one of its best-selling products — and for good reason. As the name implies, this versatile 3-in-1 tool includes functionalities to create over 250 versions of three items: envelopes, boxes, and bows.
Available on Amazon and Lovecrafts (prices vary slightly), every board features a three-way punch, a scoring tool, and a measurement guide on its surface: this makes instructions especially easy to follow vs. referring to printed PDF files or downloadable tutorials.
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In addition, the board contains specific options to have you create items in various shapes and sizes within a short amount of time. It’s also compatible with different paper and cardstock, which is ideal if you want to take customization a step further.
However, we always advise sticking to quality materials for better results. Especially when making envelopes and boxes, be sure to source sturdy resources to keep pieces intact. The brand also sells an individual envelope punch board you can find on Amazon and Blick!
For additional guidance, We R has also developed an Envelope Generator app, available for Apple and Android devices (not compatible with all Android gadgets), to walk you through adjusting envelopes for just about any card size.
Word Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers
This We R Word Press Board is all about punching out cute little paper and cardstock letters to create all kinds of funky embellishing for your projects.
This comprehensive punch board features all 26 letters of the English alphabet and can punch 10 letters at a time. Talk about a time saver! It’s the ideal tool to add to your craft station if you enjoy creative hobbies and projects related to card making, journaling, collage art, and scrapbooking.
Read also: Best card making kits
And while a high-quality product, it’s very affordable, costing under $20 on Amazon. Keep in mind that there’s only one font type available in this set which may seem a little restrictive if you’re an advanced crafter looking for something more versatile.
Also, remember that this set has been created according to the English alphabet. Therefore, there may be some letter variations and symbols that don’t match your language. For example, you won’t find the Spanish “ñ” here!
If you want to integrate more details and personalize your lettering displays with more options, We R Memory Keepers also sells a Numbers & Symbols Punch Set with the same concept; you can find it on Lovecrafts for ~$15.
Alphabet Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers
Speaking of words, We R also sells this incredible letter and number punch board. And before you ask, no, it’s not the same as the previous product.
This specific punch board creates 3×5 inch (~7x~12cm) sized pieces, mostly aimed for banner making and celebratory decor for party venues and special occasions.
Read also: Essential paper quilling tools
So, contrary to the word set above, this punch board is suitable for larger-scale pieces for showcasing vs. hobbies like cardmaking and scrapbooking. It’s great at providing a quick and creative solution for crafters of all skill levels wanting to put their creativity to work.
We R Memory Keepers also sell a series of related products and accessories we highly recommend if you’re an avid crafter who wants it all! Shiny foil pads, a link punch specifically designed to connect pieces, and a banner punch board are just a few.
The latter allows you to make banner templates in over 30 shapes and is available on both Amazon and Lovecrafts for under $20.
Tag Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers
Customized gift tags, anyone? This innovative tag punch board by We R Memory Keepers is the perfect match if you’re all about personalizing every single part of your gifts.
Of all the punch boards in our guide, this is undoubtedly one of the models that most accommodates the need for creativity and functionality. With this tool, you’ll be able to create tags quickly with crisp, precise holes and angled corners for just about any occasion.
Read also: Best paper punch tools
Sure, a paper hole punch will get the tag-making job done at first, especially if you’re a beginner. But getting a specific device for this purpose down the line will make your experience more convenient, personalized, and versatile.
In addition, this tag maker is suitable for a wide range of materials, so you’ll have the freedom to experiment with different textures, patterns, and colors of cardstock.
And remember that tags don’t only have to be for gifts! These are fantastic pieces to incorporate into journaling, card making, papercraft decorations, wedding invitations, and more. As always, we encourage you to use your imagination!
Gift Bag Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers
Once you’ve nailed tag making, why not complement your craft desk with We R Memory Keepers’ one-of-a-kind gift bag punch board?
I love the originality of this product; it makes gift-giving so much more pleasurable and thoughtful. Much like the suggestion above, this board is one of the more functional options on our list and incorporates features to create up to three different bag sizes.
Read also: Looking for a creative gift? Try these hobby and craft kits
This tool will make paper bag making a breeze and will come to the rescue for numerous occasions, be it birthdays, holiday gifts, weddings, baby showers, and more — this is a fun way to create your own handmade party favors too!
And just because you’ll be making these yourself doesn’t mean they’ll be less attractive than pretty store-bought gift bags (OK, maybe just the first few attempts). This is an excellent way to experiment with your favorite scrapbooking paper and try out different designs and styles.
You can find this gift bag punch on Amazon, Blick, and Lovecrafts. Mind you, this is one of the pricier products in our lineup; Amazon sells the more expensive option at $28, and Lovecrafts, the cheapest, for under ~$20.
Flower Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers
Flowers are among the most popular go-to designs for any stationery lover or papercrafter. And this creative flower punch board by We R Memory Keepers is a great option to give you all the tools needed to get your floral theme on!
Much like the 1-2-3 Punch Board, this tool also displays a handy printed measurement guide and instructions on its surface and incorporates a two-way punch, a scoring tool, and a petal curler.
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This punch board and accessories are all about providing all the elements needed to have you make detailed, dimensional paper flowers in just a few easy and quick steps.
You can make everything from single pieces to stunning paper bouquets for all occasions! It’s also a great alternative to experimenting with other paper flower-themed projects beyond origami and paper quilling.
To complement this set, We R has also developed a unique flower stem kit as well as a special crepe paper flower kit to get you playing with different techniques and approaches around this motif. Trust us; this brand has thought of everything!
Pinwheel Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers
One of the most original punch boards by We R Memory Keepers is this Pinwheel Punch Board, which is sold on both Amazon and Lovecrafts for under $20.
The set includes a two-punch board, a corner punch, a cutting template, and a swivel blade. Suppose you’re all about personalized party favors and festive decor. In that case, this product offers excellent value for money; with just a few resources, you can create 20 pinwheels in different designs, shapes, and sizes.
Read also: Best flower press kits
It’s also a unique project because it’s more dynamic than standard stationery themes due to its swivel mechanism, making playing with different colored or patterned paper especially fun.
This is also an entertaining activity to propose for children’s birthday parties or school projects, not to mention a great choice if you’re looking for a thoughtful, out-of-the-box gift for the papercraft pal in your life!
Before purchasing, keep in mind that this punch board is more limited than some of the more all-rounded models listed. However, it’s relatively cheap and certainly worth the buy if you’re looking to add more complementary accessories and tools to your workstation.
2-Piece Emoji Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers
We’re ending our list on an especially fun note; check out this emoji-themed punch board by We R!
The Emoji Punch Board provides the tools to customize a world of cartoon-like facial expressions with just a few simple steps. You can combine, mix and match design features and come up with all kinds of punch combinations to create your own emojis.
Read also: Best paper making kits
Emoji punch boards feature five punch outlets and are best used with smaller pieces of paper such as origami squares or post-its. But don’t worry because this set already includes 30 sheets of pre-cut paper to get you started!
Besides card making, this is an excellent pick if you have a love for scrapbooking, journaling, collage art, and more. It’s a creative and unique way to express yourself without pressing the emoji button on your devices — how’s that for a refreshing approach?
This punch board is available on Amazon and sold for under $20. Much like the pinwheel-themed kit, this set makes for a great complementary option to keep crafting exciting and varied.
What is a craft punch board?
One way to look at craft punch boards is as a more elaborate, multi-faceted version of your typical hole paper punch tool.
Whether you’ve been in the crafting game for a while now or are a papercraft or stationery hobbyist in the making, punch boards are some of the handiest tools you’ll ever add to your craft station: they’re easy to use, versatile, and relatively inexpensive.
Craft punch boards are tools that feature specific functionalities to accommodate various purposes besides standard hole-cutting. With a single board, you can score, cut, fold, punch, and embellish a world of paper projects in just a few quick steps.
Read also: 100+ creative hobbies to try and how to get started
You can use punch boards to make everything from envelopes, tags, cards, gift bags, and more; the goal is to build and personalize your work from scratch.
Besides fun, it’s important to highlight how convenient punch boards are: they will undoubtedly speed up crafting vs. having to meticulously craft and assemble paper one piece at a time.
And while you may come across generic alternatives of these tools (although they’re pretty hard to come across, trust us!), as mentioned at the top of our guide, one brand deserves a special shout-out: We R Memory Keepers.
Since our guide is heavily based on We R Memory Keepers products, you can learn a little more about the company below!
About We R Memory Keepers
The now-well-known scrapbooking and craft brand We R Memory Keepers (We R) dates back over 90 years when founder William R. Hiller and his sons created a Utah-based book manufacturing and bookbinding company.
Hiller Industries was focused on preserving items that would endure the test of time, with the goal of creating a means to register memories that could be passed down from generation to generation, much like the photo album.
Over time, it became one of the first companies in the US to pave way for a “little something” we know today as the scrapbook.
To provide a new approach to recording special moments, the company began to develop accessible, high-quality tools and materials that would allow anyone to personalize and customize handmade stationery and paper accessories.
In 2000, We R Memory Keepers was officially born and has been standing as a leading brand for scrapbookers and paper craft hobbyists ever since, with its inventive catalog, including everything from hole punches and craft punch boards to bookbinding tools, button makers, and more.
In 2014, We R joined the popular art supply company American Crafts and is currently a sub-brand that continues to be highly sought-after by home crafters everywhere.
That’s it for our guide to the best craft punch boards you can buy! Any advice for other intrepid crafters? Let everyone know in the comments below!
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