Punchins

Punchins, or punch-ins, is a term used in two distinct fields: timekeeping and audio/visual production. In timekeeping, it describes the act of recording the start and end of work periods, typically by stamping a card or using a badge or digital system. In media production, punch-ins refer to targeted re-recordings or insertions of a small portion of a performance or scene, to correct errors without redoing the entire take.

In workplace timekeeping, an employee “punches in” at the start of a shift and “punches out” at the end, usually via a punch card, badge scanner, or software. The resulting data feeds payroll and attendance records. Variants include break punches and adjustments for lateness or early departures. Digital systems often log punches automatically through badge swipes or computer login, reducing manual entry.

In audio recording, a punch-in is a method for correcting a mistake within a take by recording a short passage while playback continues elsewhere in the track. The engineer arms the recording at a precise cue, often with pre-roll to ensure proper timing, then punches out when the correction is complete. This allows precise edits with minimal disruption to the rest of the performance and is common in multitrack workflows and digital audio workstations.

In film and video, punch-ins can refer to selective re-recording or insertion of new footage at a precise point in a scene. While more costly in traditional production, digital editing and on-set monitoring have made punch-ins a practical option for fixing dialogue, timing, or action without re-shooting an entire take.

Historically, punch clocks used physical time stamps to track hours, giving rise to the modern vernacular of punching in and out as a routine part of work time management.