Silhouette Electrostatic (ES) Bed Tips

The new Silhouette Electrostatic (ES) Bed for the Silhouette Cameo 5, Curio 2, and Portrait 4 model machines was announced and demonstrated at the Silhouette Summit in September 2023. It was pretty cool to see this new technology in action.

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I recorded the Electrostatic Bed demo from Silhouette Summit and shared it on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE. I loved seeing everything first hand and in action at the Silhouette Summit!

But, until you get the equipment in hand and start to use it, you never really know how it’s going to go. This is new technology and it does have to be set up properly. It is designed to work with thin, smooth materials that can maintain a charge between the ES bed and the material while it’s being cut.

This was the first time in Silhouette’s history that they released the new machines and features at Silhouette Summit. Usually, in the past, there has been a 4-6 month gap between the announcement and when the new items are released.

The Silhouette Curio 2 was available first and it comes with the Electrostatic (ES) Bed in the box. For the Silhouette Cameo 5 and Portrait 4 models, the Electrostatic (ES) Bed is an additional accessory that can be purchased separately.

I received my Silhouette Curio 2 and immediately started testing and seeing what it could do. I have cut vellum, 65 lb. cardstock, 110 lb. cardstock, sticker paper, adhesive vinyl, and copy paper with the Electrostatic (ES) bed so far.

Check out the video – Tips for Success with the New Silhouette Electrostatic (ES) Bed – Cameo 5, Curio 2, and Portrait 4 HERE.

I share how you can be successful with the Electrostatic (ES) Bed. These tips will work for the Electrostatic (ES) Bed no matter which Silhouette machine model you are using it with. I’ve also included a few more tips down below this video in this post as well.

Electrostatic (ES) Bed Tips

1. The Electrostatic (ES) Bed is powered by the Silhouette machine.
   This is one reason that the Electrostatic (ES) bed is not compatible with older model Silhouette machines. The older machines do not have the technology in them to send power to the ES bed.
   
2. The electrostatic charge has to be built up.
   The ES bed needs to be turned on to start building up the charge. It takes time, usually less than a minute for the electrostatic charge to build. It is not a slap it and go. You have to set it up properly for success!
   Place Electrostatic (ES) Protective Sheet on the Bed and smooth out any air bubbles. Make sure that the Electrostatic (ES) Bed has not turned off.
   In early versions of the software with the Silhouette Curio 2, the ES Bed automatically turns off after the cut and the user will need to turn it back on each time.
   
3. Not all materials work with the Electrostatic Bed.
   Materials need to be completely flat and smooth to be able to hold and maintain the electrostatic charge. Textured materials will not work or maintain that charge to hold it in place while it’s being cut.
   Smooth materials down on top of the ES Protective Sheet and allow time to build the charge.
   
4. Test the materials with your fingertips to see if the materials move. If it moves, it’s not ready. Start again & take the time to build the charge.
   If the charge is broken at any time while it’s being cut, it will be a lost cut.
   
5. Keep the design away from the edges of the materials.
   If the cut goes over the edge of the material, it can break the electrostatic charge and the material may move.
   
6. Not all designs will work well with this new technology.
   Keep in mind that the smaller the cut pieces are, the less surface area there is for the material to maintain the electrostatic charge. Pieces that are completely cut may move out of place. This may or may not affect the entire cut. If a loose piece of material gets stuck on the blade as it’s cutting, it may hinder the cutting of the blade.
   
7. Get extra materials! It is going to take time and practice to learn a new skill and new equipment.

Supplies used or mentioned in the video:

• Curio 2 available at CrafterCuts
• Vellum Paper – great for testing!!! And creating vellum flowers too!
• Silhouette Cameo 5 at CrafterCuts
• Silhouette Cameo 5 Electrostatic Bed at CrafterCuts
• Silhouette Portrait 4 at CrafterCuts
• Silhouette Portrait 4 Electrostatic Bed
• Silhouette Electrostatic Protector Sheets
  *Free shipping at CrafterCuts with a $35 purchase
  **Use code SECRETS to save 10% on supplies at CrafterCuts – does not apply to new machine models

And I have more tips!!!!

Check out this video HERE to see how to install the Silhouette Electrostatic (ES) Bed on the Silhouette Cameo 5. The installation for the Silhouette Portrait 4 will be the same once the electrostatic bed is available.

I will admit, this is pretty cool technology and not having to remove delicate materials from the adhesive cutting mat is pretty darn awesome!

Will it work for every project? No!

But it is definitely fun to play around with and see what can be done with it!

Here are a few examples of projects I’ve done with the Silhouette Electrostatic (ES) Bed.

Koala sticker paper cut using the Silhouette Electrostatic bed. You can find the Silhouette Curio 2 Print and Cut with the ES (electrostatic) Bed HERE on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel.

Recollections 65 lb. cardstock 12″ x 12″ print and cut using the Electrostatic (ES) Bed. See this in action on this video Silhouette Curio 2 Print and Cut 12″ x 12″ with the ES Bed HERE.

I cut & created these vellum paper flowers for the Silhouette Curio 2 – Out of the Box class where I share 3+ projects you can complete with the Curio 2 right out of the box. Find more details on that HERE.

This is an example of adhesive vinyl from a class I released called Easily Create Custom Gift Tags & Keepsake Ornaments in Silhouette found HERE. In the class I share a demonstration of cutting adhesive vinyl with the Curio 2 on the Electrostatic Bed.

I also released a tutorial on Silhouette Tips to Cutting Small Fonts and Designs found HERE that can be applied to any Silhouette model machine you are using.

And here is one that I just completed this week cutting copy paper using the new IPT technology to cut 2 sheets that are stacked on top of each other. Yes, you read that right! Stacked materials cut at the same time with the Electrostatic Bed.
I’ll be sharing more on that soon!

I’ll be adding more information to the blog and Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel as I create projects and play with this new technology. Stay tuned for more!

I hope those tips help you get started and creating with your new Silhouette model machines and the Electrostatic (ES) Bed.

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Enjoy !

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