How do you center your punches?

[Paperlover]

I love the look of a stamped image in a larger scalloped circle or flower punch. But for the life of me, I can't get my images lined up evenly. I stamp the image, turn my punch upside down, try to center the image, and then punch. And usually I am disappointed by how lopsided the result is.

Has anyone figured out how to do this so my images are right in the center of the shape I'm punching? I'd be eternally grateful!

Nancy S

[buggainok]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paperlover

I love the look of a stamped image in a larger scalloped circle or flower punch. But for the life of me, I can't get my images lined up evenly. I stamp the image, turn my punch upside down, try to center the image, and then punch. And usually I am disappointed by how lopsided the result is.

Has anyone figured out how to do this so my images are right in the center of the shape I'm punching? I'd be eternally grateful!

Nancy S

I'm hoping you are placing the image in the punch so you can see it when you turn the punch. Other than that, I don't think there is a way to center it, other than to "eyeball it" and try to have the same distance all around the edge of the image before you punch.

I sew as well as papercraft. I've learned that being able to judge distance and lining things up straight is really a "brain function" more than it is visual. Everyone's brain is wired a little differently. Some people are able to do this more accurately than others. But like anything else, you will get better with practice. Don't give up.

[STAMPINGODDESS]

I too am assuming that you are holding the punch upside down so that you can see what you are punching, when you are punching. I have also found that using the eraser end of a pencil to slide the image around inside the punch and then holding the card stcok in place until I squeeze the punch just enough to actual "hold" the card stock also helps keep the image in place. HTH

[cjbapp]

Sounds like you are doing it right...the only thing I would suggest is to make sure you have LOTS of light and hold the punch so the image showing through is facing the strongest light source...otherwise you can get shadows that appear to be the edge of the punch when you are centering, but after you punch it's off-center because you were centering it on the shadow.

Hoping this is all it is...