Let’s talk hole punches.

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From some of those downloading the planner files and putting it together themselves, I’ve gotten a lot of questions this planner season about hole punches. What’s kind of funny is I don’t think anyone has ever asked me before, but then several people have asked all of a sudden. Isn’t it strange how things come in waves like that?

Anyway, I thought I’d do a little show and tell about all the different hole punches I use. Part of putting the planners together myself, instead of contracting out the printing and prepping of the planners, is that I use regular-ol’-hole-punches like you’d use. (Maybe with the exception of the more expensive discbound hole-punch, but I’ll explain.)

Discbound Punches

The great thing about discbound punches is that they are compatible for all the different sizes of paper. There is a little lever that you adjust and then you are good to go. This is true for both of these hole punches.

My favorite discbound hole punch is the Levenger punch. It is just such a glorious punch. The mushroom shaped holes for the discbound discs to fit in are just a tad bit bigger than my arc-brand punch. This might make the planner paper slightly easier to move around. The thing is, it is very expensive, but it is worth it to me. (And yes, I’ve worn out more than one of these, but I promise you’d probably never see the amount of paper I see in your lifetime. 😳)

The Arc brand punch (it is a Staples brand, on the far left) is less almost half the cost and it is a very good hole punch. If I weren’t running a business making planners, I’d probably have kept using this punch instead of upgrading.

3-Ring Punch (standard size)

So, even though discbound planners are my favorite, one of the great thing about using a standard size 3-ring hole punch for personal use is that tools and accesories are so accessible everywhere. Chances are, you already have one!

Still, I’ll show you my favorite 3-Ring Hole Punch. This thing is remarkable because it will punch 45 sheets of paper at once. That is pretty awesome. I couldn’t find my exact one (which is Staples brand), but this one looks really good and also does 45 sheets at once.

3-Ring Punch (mini-binder size)

3-Ring Mini-binder covers are becoming much easier to find. I even see them at Target. But still, a good hole punch for them is nowhere to be seen. I ordered one once that was horrific. There was not a “stopper” so you had to guess where to hold the paper. Yikes, that didn’t work.

Finally, I figured out I had to create something myself. Which is why you see my taped up hole punch. I got this adjustable 3-hole punch and put the holes in the right place, then I used cardboard and duct tape to create a stopper in the right place. It works! And it is what I’ve used ever since.

Paper and paper tools are a big part of my life.

I love paper. I love hole punches. I love lots of paper tools. I know too much about paper, hole punches, binding, and more. These are not things someone wants to talk to me about at a party. But I love it! I love building planners, I love talking about this nerdy boring stuff.

(Like, do you ever watch the Office and they occasionally discuss paper. Yeah, I love those parts. Ha!)

And if you were wonder, THIS is the amazing paper I use. If you try it, it will ruin you for all other paper.

So, thanks for letting me answer your questions about hole punches. I’ve enjoyed this!

From my home to yours,
Mary

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