The punch range is a special range used to define where recording will start and/or stop during a punch.

Creating a Punch Range

A punch range can be created in multiple ways.

By selecting a range on the timeline, right-clicking, then selecting Set Punch from Selection. This will create punch range's start and end markers that match the beginning and the end of the range selection respectively.
By left-dragging on the Loop/Punch Ranges ruler, releasing the mouse button, then choosing Set Punch Range in the pop-up menu.

Creating a punch range directly on the ruler

Editing a Punch Range

The punch range can be edited in multiple ways as well.

Individual markers can be dragged on the ruler by left-clicking and dragging. It is also possible to drag both the start and the end markers togother. Left-click and select both markers, then left-drag them.
Positions of the start and the end markers can be edited numerically in the Ranges & Marks sidebar.
Positions of the start and the end markers can also be reset from another range selection by making that selection, then right-clicking and selecting the Set Range from Selection menu item.

Removing a Punch Range

There are two ways to delete a punch range:

Right-clicking and selecting the Remove Range menu item.
Click the X button in the list of ranges in the Ranges & Marks sidebar.

More Options

The right-click menu mostly copies that of a regular pair of range markers. The following options are available in addition to the ones mentioned above.

Play Range	Starts playback at the left marker in the pair and stops at the right marker.
Locate to Marker	Moves the playhead to the selected marker.
Play from Marker	Moves the playhead to the selected marker and starts playback.
Loop Range	Creates a loop range off the selected range markers pair and starts playback.
Set Marker from Playhead	Changes the position of the selected marker to that of the playhead.
Zoom to Range	Changes the zoom so that the area defined by the range markers would be maximized yet visible entirely within Ardour's window.
Loudness Assistant…	Launches the Loudness Assistant to analyze the selection defined by the selected pair of range markers.
Export Range…	Exports the selection defined by the selected pair of range markers.
Promote to Time Origin	This makes the position of the chosen range marker the origin time. This is mostly useful when the Display delta to origin marker clock mode is enabled to display the difference between current playhead position and the origin time. Absolute time stays unaffected.
Separate Regions in Range	Cuts all regions crossing the positions of the range markers.
Select All in Range	Select entire regions that cross the borders of the range markers.
Select Range	Create a selection from the range markers in all selected tracks and busses.