If you are a papercrafter, chances are at one time or another you have wanted or needed to score a piece of cardstock. Scoring breaks down the fibers in the paper and allows it to bend and fold crisply. Scoring before folding makes any project look more professional. Here are some of the tools on the market to help you achieve super results with scoring. I’ve tried all of them, and liked all of them. I successfully scored paper, cardstock, foil, parchment and lightweight metals with all of them. They each have some advantages the others do not, and they are all available online or at your favorite craft store. They all have terrific websites with instructions and projects, and all come with written instructions in case there is no computer available when you’re crafting. Before you buy, try to “ test drive” them, and think about how much scoring you want to do, and the kinds of projects you do most often.


Scor-it Mini ™ (MSRP $29.95) is a lightweight, portable tool that allows the user to score, emboss and deboss lines. This tool differs from the others in this review. It features a raised metal piece embedded into the cutting board, and a stylus with a groove that fits the raised ridge. This creates a raised line, which is INSIDE the finished card. A 9” ruler spans the top, with 0 in the center and markings every 1/16th inch. I especially liked the chain to attach the tool to the board (because I’m always loosing my tools) and the stop guide, which will be perfect for making several of the same cards, such as my Christmas cards. The Hammond group also makes this tool in 3 larger sizes, to accommodate all sorts of crafters.


The Score-Pal ® (MSRP $39.95) has the advantage of being able to score multiple lines without moving the paper. The raised fences at the top and sides of the tool help insure proper placement to achieve perfect scores. I like the fact that the tool snaps into place on the top of the scoring board, and the grooves at several intervals are a definite plus. This tool will be great if you enjoy making accordion cards or those with multiple scores.


The Top Score Multiboard from Crafter’s Companion ™ (MSRP $24.99) has grooves and markings to show you where to score to make a variety of card designs as well as boxes. There are also scallop, wave and zig zag groves to add to your designs, and the flip side offers scoring lines to make apertures and pop ups, along with a heart and flower design to emboss into your projects. The companion Enveloper transforms 12x22” paper into beautiful envelopes to match your cards.

There are other tools on the market that score, emboss, cut
and pierce. We just looked at some of the scoring tools today.