Tools of the Trade: Bone Folder

Bone Folder

A bone folder is used to score, crease, and smooth paper.  I use my Bone Folder all the time.  As a matter of fact I own at least five of them and there are probably 2 or 3 on my desk at any one time when I’m creating.

The most popular use for Bone Folders, at least for us paper crafters, is to crease a fold.  We will either simply fold a piece of cardstock in half to form our cards and then crease the fold well with our Bone Folder or we will make a score line using another tool (Simply Scored or Paper Trimmer) and then crease that well with the Bone Folder.

You can also use your Bone Folder to score your paper.  Butt it up against a straightedge, like a ruler, and then draw your score mark along the straightedge.  This is especially helpful when you are working on 3D projects and need and angled score mark.

A Bone Folder is also helpful when you want to break down the fibers in your paper.  I do this when I want to give my paper a little curl.  Do you ever curl ribbon with your scissors or another tool?  This is the same idea.  I especially like to do this with flowers like those you’d make with the Daisy Punches.  It helps give your die-cut or punched shape a little dimension.

If you don’t own a Bone Folder (or two or three), you should.  They are relatively inexpensive and SO useful!  Have a great day!  Take care and Happy Stamping!