One of the punches I received in my pre-convention BBB (big brown box for those who don’t speak fluent SU!), was the Banner Triple Punch.  I was so excited when I first heard about it and even more excited when it arrived.

Here’s the main things I love about it:

• It cuts cardstock/DSP into a banner any size from “nothing” to 2″.  As long as it fits into the largest guide, it will cut the end into a perfect banner.
• It has three guides to help you align your cardstock and get a perfectly aligned middle point – 1″, 1.5″ & 2″.
• You can also cut a purposely not-so-perfect banner by altering what angle or position you put your cardstock in at.
• It’s all one mechanism – no switching between modes/levels to get different sizes.
• It can also cut chevron pieces if you keep pushing & punching.
• The banner shape is great – not too pointy, not too flat!

That’s pretty much everything you need to know about the banner triple punch {it’s awesome}!

The other helpful hint I’ll share with you is the allowances you need to make to your cardstock strip to make sure you always end up with the finished size you want.  You can see it in picture format below, but I’ll explain in words too.

The first thing to note is that different cardstock widths end up with different amounts cut off the end.

• 2″ strip cuts off 3/16″
• 1.5″ strip cuts off 3/8″
• 1″ strip cuts off 1/2″

Despite this, the measurement from the inner point to the end of your length is always the same – 13/16″.

So, the allowance you need to make depends on whether you need a minimum distance between each end of your cardstock/banner points or whether you want your finished banner to be a certain size.  Don’t forget, if you have a double ended banner, you will need to add the extra length to each end (ie, double the allowance).

• For minimum distance – add 13/16″ from where the inner point starts to the end of your length irregardless of the width of your cardstock.  For example, if you want a 1″ double ended banner than ends up being 3″ between each point, you need to add 3″ + 13/16″ + 13/16″ = 4-5/8″ [you’ll end up with a banner that is 3-5/8″ long with 3″ between the points].
• For overall length – add the lengths that relate to your width (as above).  For example, if you want a 1″ double ended banner that ends up being 3″ long, you need to add 3″ + 1/2″ 1/2″ = 4″ [you’ll end up with a banner that is 3″ long with 2-3/8″ between the points].

Until you get used to adding allowances, I’d recommend testing your calculations by punching a piece of scrap first.  I’ve ended up with some crazy short 2″ banners by forgetting to allow for between point width!!!

This card from my convention board features each of the main Banner Triple Punch sizes (2″, 1.5″, 1″) and is an example of what a quick, easy & effective card you can make with banners.

Aren’t banners wonderful?  And even better when they come in whatever size you need at the click of a punch.  You’ll definitely want to add the Banner Triple Punch to your new catalogue order.  Only a few more sleeps!!!  Kelly x

Product List

Banner Triple Punch [138292] $38.00	Butterfly Basics Photopolymer Bundle [138865] $71.95	Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper Stack [138443] $14.00	Whisper White A4 Card Stock [106549] $14.95
Tip Top Taupe A4 Cardstock [138343] $12.25	Crumb Cake A4 Card Stock [121685] $11.95	Blackberry Bliss A4 Cardstock [133682] $11.95	Blackberry Bliss Classic Stampin’ Pad [133642] $9.95

*** Items in green are only available to demonstrators.  They will appear in the 2015-16 annual catalogue which is available from 2nd June 2015.

*** Want to shop online? The hostess code for May is MAB6AJXN.