If the punch blade sticks, to release it, press the dot of the design on the underside where the paper comes up, using a ballpoint pen. Punch through waxed paper several times to lubricate the blades. When the cuts from the punch are no longer as clean, punch through very fine sandpaper several times to sharpen the blades. I learned this from reading Scrapbooking for the First Time, by Rebecca Carter. If the punch is sticking or tearing the paper, you can also punch through aluminum foil in addition to the waxed paper and sandpaper. I learned that by reading Joy of Scrapbooking, by Lisa Bearnson and Gayle Humpherys.