I am the undisputed queen of punches. (Paper punches, darlings. I’m a lover not a fighter.) And punches that make tags or labels hold a special place in my heart- so I was happy to try out the Fiskars Tag Maker and Eyelet Setter when Fiskars offered it to me to review.

This unique tool features an innovative design that makes it easy to create tags in three quick, easy steps. Simply insert your paper into the large slot to punch a classic tag shape. Next, insert the punched-out tag into the small slot and punch again to create a perfectly centered tag hole. Finally, slip the tag hole over the peg on the back of the punch, drop the eyelet in and depress the handle one more time—the eyelet will be precisely set with no noisy hammering. This all-in-one punch tool lets you create classic tags with eyelets that are perfect for gift tags, labels, embellishments and more.

 

Details:

• 3″ x 2″ tag
• Punches up to 80lb cardstock
• Eyelet setter fits eyelets from 5/32″ to 3/16″
• Includes 20 eyelets
• Lifetime warranty

There are four styles in this collection, but I was only sent this one to play with, so I’ll speak only to this model.

The first thing you should know is that it’s a 3 step process. One, punch out the tag.

Here’s an interesting thing to note- while the image on the punch in silver shows that the shape is punched out vertically, actually it’s punched out in a horizontal orientation. It’s something to pay attention to if you want patterned paper to go in a certain direction.

Two, insert the end back into the punch and depress the lever again to create the hole.

Insert tag into the slot just above the paper guide.

It centers the hole perfectly. In the dozen or so times I used this punch to review it, it never was off-center.

Three, add an eyelet and push down a third time to set the eyelet.

This was a little less successful for me initially. First, you must have a nice hard surface for the punch to rest on. My main worktable is a plastic folding table (shameful, I know) so when I pushed down it just didn’t have enough force. Secondly, you DO need to stand up and put your weight on it. This might be a problem for folks who have problems with hand strength or pain. Thirdly, you need to remember to put the eyelet FACE UP on the tool.

This is backwards from how I learned to set eyelets, which was as follows: put eyelet face down on the setting surface, add paper, then use the setter and hammer from the bottom so as not to mar or split the “pretty” side of the project.

Well, this is different. Look at the results from three tags made in that fashion:

Just OK.

Then… I flipped the whole thing around. So eyelet into tag, then THAT is put face-up on the little nipply thing and….

one big push down later…..

Perfect every time.

Now this tool is a little pricey- MSRP is $29.99 and it comes with 20 3/16 eyelets. But if you are shopping with a 40% off coupon or get it on sale it might not sting as much. It also replaces three tools- the tag maker, the hole punch, and the eyelet setter.

Also, I did find the eyelet setter clumsy to use- it likes to slide around a bit so you have to steady the tag with the eyelet perched on top ::just so:: until you can depress the handle enough to get it to hold in place. I probably still will use my favorite setting tool the WRMK Crop A Dile to set my eyelets.

But here’s what I DO like: I make a fair amount of tags- for gifts, cards, and storing things in my studio. I like that I can use smaller scraps and a nice big-handled punch to create tags from bits of vellum, xerox paper, cardstock and cereal-box cardboard. (It even worked on a bit of corkpaper that I had lying about.) And then you can use lots of other little bits and bobs to decorated them, almost like making an Artist Trading Card! I think I’ll get enough use from it to justify the “sale” price, but I know I’d balk at $30.

Disclosure: this tool was sent to me to review for free, by my opinions are my own and based on my first-hand experience with the product. 

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About Jenny

Chief Craft Test Dummy, Craft Evangelist, Founder, Editor, bottle-washer, trouble-maker, and creative whirlwind.

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