Paper Punches

Organize loose sheets in folders, binders, and booklets by readying them with a 3-hole punch. A paper punch is an essential tool for offices, schools, copy centers, and homes. It's useful for collating paper documents as well as for decorating scrapbooks and craft projects. Find the right hole punch for your needs in the large selection of office supplies at Staples.

Choose between manual and electric hole punches
A manual unit requires considerable physical effort to drive its sharpened steel dies through sheets of paper. On the other hand, it's always available to use since it doesn't rely on electric power. Most single- and two-hole punches are manual units. An electric model is easier to use and can usually cut more pages at once. Its electric motor and push-button operation make it a better model for people with weak wrists or hands. An electric hole punch can be a corded unit or a cordless one that relies on replaceable batteries. Choose a battery-powered unit when looking for a portable tool to cut holes in pages.

Pick the right 3-hole punch design for your needs
Desktop punches are heavier than handheld ones and usually more powerful. Get one of these for an office that regularly binds thick stacks of paper. Handheld models are ideal for personal use and small offices that only occasionally use them. The handle design of a paper punch is a key design feature to consider. While some units have squeeze handles, others are lever-operated tools. Squeeze handles are comfortable on handheld units, but desktop ones are more convenient to use with levers.

Consider construction and sheet capacity when shopping for 3-hole punches
Metal punches are more durable than those made of plastic. While a unit with a plastic body serves for home and occasional use, heavy-duty models need metal construction. To prevent the tool from sliding on desk surfaces during use, make sure it has slip-resistant rubber feet. The sheet capacity of a punch determines how many pages it can conveniently cut at once. Exceeding the rated sheet capacity affects the performance and durability of the unit. While entry-level models can only make holes in two to five pages at once, heavy-duty ones have sheet capacities of up to 30 pages. There are even bigger models that can cut holes in over 150 sheets in one go.

What is the benefit of a 3-hole punch with an adjustable head?
An adjustable cutting head makes it possible to accurately make holes in paper of different sizes. It's also possible to cut varying numbers of holes with this type of tool. The typical 3-hole punch with an adjustable head can make two or three holes at once. By moving its head along the margins of a page, a user can cut up to seven holes with this versatile tool.

Should you get a 3-hole punch with replaceable dies?
With repeated use, the dies on this tool wear out and get blunt. Having replaceable dies increases the lifespan of the machine. This also reduces downtime and ensures users don't replace their punches every few months.

What is a nesting paper punch?
This is a very small, single-hole punch used for making decorative holes in paper and card stocks. It's a useful tool for scrapbooking and craft projects. A nesting punch makes round and scalloped circles and squares.