Looking to purchase a punch so you can add pages into your Player's Notebook or Dungeon Master's Notebook? Here's what we use and our thoughts on them. Plus some slightly cheaper suggestions that we haven't used by may still be a great option for you.
DISCLOSURE: I only recommend products I would or have used myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. Some links in this post may be affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Thank you for all your support!
Arc Staples Punch - Great Overall Punch
This punch is our go to discbound punch. If you're looking for something for everyday use and want one that will last, we recommend this one.
Get yours here: https://amzn.to/3MlG7zP
Stat Overview
- Dimensions: 13.39 x 4.84 x 5.12 inches
- Weight: 4 lbs
- Punches up to 8 pages
- Price: about $40
Pros
- Adjustable measuring tool
- Compactable handle
- Easy to Remove scrap drawer
Cons
- Measuring tool does not lock in place
- Heavy and inconvenient for traveling
Our Thoughts
This is our favorite punch. We punch a lot of pages each week and the Arc Staples Punch continuously performs well. It's heavy duty, and has great durability. The only downfall we've found is that this punch doesn't punch through as many pages as the Levenger Punch. This is the main reason we use two different punches in the workshop. The drawer to empty the mushroom scraps is very easy to use, unlike the Levenger Punch. It's also very easy to access the punches if you need to adjust something. This punch is our most recommended on this list.
We Use It On
- Cardstock up to 80 lbs
- 5mil Plastic Covers
- Transparency Film
Get yours on Amazon through this affiliate link here.
-----
Levenger Punch - Great for Multiple Sheets, but Doesn't Last
This punch is another option on the market that many recommend. It's great for punch multiple sheets at once, but we've found it doesn't last for our usage.
Stat Overview
- Dimensions: 13.25 x 3.75 x 4 inches
- Weight: 4.6 lbs
- Punches up to 15 pages
- Price: about $79-99
Pros
- Punches a lot of pages at once
- Sleeker look and feel
- Adjustable measuring tool
- Compactible handle
Cons
- Hard to fix jammed punches
- Scrap holder hard to empty
- Heavy and inconvenient for traveling
- Screws come lose often
Our Thoughts
We are a little harder on punches though. Each week we make roughly 30-40 journals. Each journal is about 64 pages. That's roughly 2,560 pages a week (not including page packs)! We have to buy a replacement Levenger punch every 6 months. That said, this punch slowly falls apart on us. The front face often comes lose and the punches often get jammed. When a punch jams, it's hard to fix since it requires removing the bottom of the punch. While removing the bottom is rather simple, it takes a lot of patience to replace it so that both the door and measuring stick are working correctly.
Since we've had this punch malfunction on us, we don't recommend this punch unless you are in a business like us and need to punch more efficiently. OTherwise, stick with the Arc Staples Punch!
We Use It On
- Cardstock up to 80lbs
- Regular sheets of printer paper (up to 30lbs)
Get yours on Amazon through this affiliate link here.
Things to Note When Deciding on A Punch
Size & Weight If You Plan On Taking It To the Table
If you want to take your punch to the table with you, be aware of the weight and size of the punch. Both the Arc and the Levenger punches that we use are heavy. We would NOT want to be carrying that to and from D&D nights. If you're looking for something that's travel size, consider one of the other punches.
Be Aware of Punch Depth
While all punches are interchangeable, it's important to note that each punch has a different depth. In most cases, this is not an issue. Discbound binding does not allow you pages to lay at a completely flush edge, but if your journal is on the small side, this may bother you. We use both Arc and Levenger for all of our journals. This image shows the difference in size between the two. But overall this doesn't affect the finished product.
