Posted on September 24, 2024September 24, 2024 by silhouettesecretsplus — 3 Comments

Silhouette Studio: Testing Print Colors

The Silhouette Studio software allows you to print directly from the program to any printer that is setup on your computer. This action can be performed easily by going to File > Print and selecting the printer you are using once the design is ready to print. However, the colors you see on the computer screen may not be the actual results that print out from your printer.

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Factors That Can Affect Printed Colors

A computer monitor is not calibrated to print colors. Each brand of computer monitor can vary in the visual representative that you see.
If you were sitting next to someone else using the exact same Silhouette Studio software version, your colors may not appear the same on screen as that person next to you simply because you are using different computers.
Computer monitors display in RGB (Red Green Blue) versus printers that are CYMK (Cyan, Yellow, Magenta, black) – this can affect the actual printed results versus what is seen on the screen.
There are many different brands and models of printers out there on the market being used worldwide. Different brands and models of printers can yield different results.
Printer ink can vary by brand and yield different results.
The material being printed on can affect the colors. Different materials absorb the ink and the final color you see can vary depending on the material.
For instance, plain cardstock will absorb more ink into the paper versus a glossy photo paper. This can make the color appear muted on the cardstock versus a more vibrant print on a shiny gloss of photo paper.
The printer settings selected when printing can affect color outcome. Each printer model has different settings it can print at and what you select for the print job sent can affect the final outcome of colors. For example, draft settings versus normal versus photo quality.
Printer drivers can affect the outcome of colors and other options available, such as print page size, etc. For best results, install the full printer drivers direct from the printer manufacturer’s website for your specific printer model. Simply plugging in a printer or connecting it to your computer does not usually install the full printer drivers. While it may print, it may not have all the options of the full print driver as it’s using a default driver that’s in the computer operating system to perform basic print functions.
Computer operating systems (OS) and updates. Print quality can vary by Windows versus MAC and also by the OS updates on those computer systems. We have seen print color output change overnight with a computer OS update.
Different software programs can have different print color results.

Now that we’ve covered a few things that can make the difference, how can you test what colors you see versus what colors you get when printing?

Silhouette Studio: Color Test Print

Draw out 1-inch squares (or larger if needed) and replicate to fill the page

Open the Fill Color Panel and fill each square with a color that you want to test print.

The full Fill Color Panel on the right side of the Silhouette software has several options for adding colors. Use the preset colors, add your own custom color, or add in colors by HEX, HSL, or RGB codes. Create your own custom color palettes too for easy access on future projects.

Silhouette Fill Color Panel Entering Hex codes for test print

I used the Color Cubes by Sarah Renae Clark to fill in a page of color combinations that I want to test print. The color cards give 5 colors with the HEX code for each color and also have shades of that color shown on the card.

In the Silhouette Studio software, at the bottom of the Fill Color Panel, you can adjust the color to another shade easily by moving the custom color dot around on the color palette.

Silhouette Fill Color Panel Custom Palette

Once page is filled as desired, then select File > Print in top left corner.

Verify on the Print Preview that everything will be printed as desired. The print preview is where you can catch errors before you waste ink printing. For instance, if the design is not showing completely and is cut off, that can indicate the wrong printer is selected or the page size is incorrect. There is still time to make changes before you commit to printing and using ink.
If you are doing a print and cut project, verify that all 3 registration marks show as printing completely on the page before you click print.

When ready, click Print. The printer menu will pop up and you can select what options you would like to print at and where to print from. I use the rear tray on my printer when printing any specialty materials or cardstock.

If you make any changes such as the actual printer being used or the page size, you will need to apply those changes and then cancel out to the main design screen to reset those settings completely.

Once printed, you can see how the colors will print on that particular material. It’s always best to test on the actual material you will be using to know for sure.

I printed this on higher quality copy paper using the regular print settings from my printer. I was also notified that one ink cartridge was low on ink, so I know that will affect the colors that are printed as well.

Additional Tips for Printing:

Objects or designs need to be filled with color to print.

Silhouette Studio is designed as a cutting software. That means the red lines you see on the design mat are cut lines for a Silhouette machine to follow. When a shape is drawn or text typed out, it is generally not filled with any color and the software sees it as empty. Which is exactly how it will print to a printer if sent. This is one great thing about utilizing print preview, you can catch issues before you’ve actually tried to print the project.

Cut lines do not print unless told to do so.

There are 2 options if you want the line of an object to print.

1 – Increase line thickness above 0. Any line thickness above 0 will print on the material.

Silhouette Increase Line Thickness for Printing

Here is what the text above will show on the Print Preview when the top text line is set to 0 line width and the bottom is set to 1.75.

Silhouette Print Preview Line Thickness Increased

2 – Select the objects you want the lines to print on and check the Print Lines of Selected Shapes box on the bottom of the Line Style Panel.

Silhouette Print Lines of Selected Shapes

Here is what the text above will show on the Print Preview when the top text has the print lines of selected shapes chosen.

Silhouette Print Preview of Print Lines Selected

There is also an italic note stating: This will display your 0 pt cut lines as 0.1 pt lines in prints and in SVG and PDF exports.

Sublimation prints need to be pressed to show true color.

If you are printing using sublimation inks, the true colors will not show until the design has been pressed. A sublimation print will always look dull or muted prior to pressing.
For best results and the most accurate colors, press onto 100% polyester. This will show the final colors

New equipment may not function the same as old equipment.

Getting a new, updated printer model can be a great thing! However, users can be quickly frustrated when things do not work the same or the new printer doesn’t print the same colors the same as the old one did. It can take some getting used to for all new equipment.

Low ink of any cartridge or tank can affect the color outcome.

Most home printers have a set of color cartridges or tanks, for instance, my Canon TS9521C has 3 colors and 2 black cartridges. To make up the colors you are asking it to print, the printer combines those inks in order to make the color output. If a color cartridge or tank is low on ink, it may not yield the desired results.

The results that each user sees and has when printed can vary simply because we all have different equipment we are using.

Additional resources:

And check out the Silhouette Live Tutorial – Colors in Silhouette HERE on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel.

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Posted on May 14, 2024May 13, 2024 by silhouettesecretsplus — 1 Comment

Heat Pen Panel – Silhouette Specialty Tools

Under the new Specialty Tools Panel on Tab 4 in Silhouette Studio, is the Heat Pen Panel.

This tutorial was written in Silhouette Studio version 4.5.770.

The Specialty Tools Panel was released in v4.5+ software versions. If you don’t see it on the right side of the Silhouette Studio, your software version may be older than v4.5.

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Silhouette Heat Pen is one of the new powered tools that was announced and released in September 2023. It is compatible with the Silhouette Cameo 5, Portrait 4, and Curio 2.

The Silhouette Heat Pen can be found at CrafterCuts, Silhouette America, or Amazon.
CrafterCuts has free shipping on orders over $35 and use code SECRETS to save 10% on supplies & accessories (not valid on machines).
Silhouette America has free shipping on orders over $50 if you are a Silhouette Club member.

Specialty Tools Panel – Heat Pen – Tab 4

Here is a look at the details of the Heat Pen Panel in Silhouette Studio.

Silhouette Heat Pen Panel - Specialty Tools

1 – Heat Pen Fill Patterns – choose from None, Lined, Concentric, Cross-hatched, and Spiral

All designs will vary in how the pattern fills in the area. I used Hi by Diva Watts Design – Design #399489 and at the size shown, there isn’t much inside the Concentric Pattern fill at a 0.079 spacing. Testing is the only way to know what fill pattern and spacing will look good on the finished project.

2 – Spacing – Increase or decrease the grid spacing between the lines of the pattern. A spacing of 0.004″ will fill in the design more, but depending on the pattern chosen, there can still be some bare spots.

Silhouette Concentric Fill Pattern 0.004" spacing

In this example, the Concentric fill pattern at a 0.004″ spacing fills in most areas, but there are still some white spaces in certain areas. Zoom in on your designs so you can see the tight fills and how each pattern fills in the designs.

Silhouette Heat Pen Concentric Fill Zoomed In

These spaces may or may not affect the outcome of the final project. Testing is the the only way to know what will work and all designs will vary.

This is another area where you are changing a lot of data at one time, so be patient with your computer if it is thinking.

3 – Angle – Change the angle of the fill pattern.

4 – Release Heat Pen Fill – selecting this option will take the fill from an editable fill pattern and makes it a vector design.

When using this feature, be aware that once the fill has been released and file saved and closed, it is a permanent change to that file. If the design needs to be adjusted, you would need to start over.

Silhouette Heat Pen

Here are a few examples created with the Silhouette Heat Pen.

Check out the full tutorial and written instructions on using the Silhouette Heat Pen HERE.

I tested several brands of hot foil with the Silhouette Heat Pen and here are the supplies I used when testing and creating the projects shown above.

Supplies Used

Silhouette Curio 2 (also compatible with Silhouette Cameo 5 and Portrait 4)
Curio Debris Tray – *only required for the Curio 2 for use with the heat pen & power engraver
Silhouette Heat Pen set
Silhouette Autoblade (or other blade style)
Silhouette cutting mat
Recollections Cardstock
Silhouette Spatula
Hi by Diva Watts Design – Design #399489

Optional supplies:

Spellbinders Hot Foil
We R Makers Hot Foil
Silhouette Gold Foil
Silhouette Silver Foil
Washi Tape
Scraper in craft tool kit – miracle tool *see the end of the tutorial for why

Additional Resources:

Silhouette Curio 2 additional resources found HERE

Silhouette Studio Specialty Tools Panel Tabs (coming soon)

Specialty Tools Panel – Tab 1 – Emboss Panel details HERE
Specialty Tools Panel – Tab 2 – Score & Emboss – details HERE
Specialty Tools Panel – Tab 3 – Power Engraver – details HERE
Specialty Tools Panel – Tab 4 – Heat Pen – details above

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Posted on May 11, 2024May 13, 2024 by silhouettesecretsplus — 1 Comment

Power Engraver – Silhouette Specialty Tools Panel

Under the new Specialty Tools Panel on Tab 3 in Silhouette Studio, is the Power Engraver Panel.

This tutorial was written in Silhouette Studio version 4.5.770. The Specialty Tools Panel was released in v4.5+ software versions. If you don’t see it on the right side of the Silhouette Studio, your software version may be older than v4.5.

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Power Engraver is specific to the Silhouette Curio 2 and is one of the new powered tools that was announced and released in September 2023.

The Silhouette Power Engraver is designed to be used along with the Curio 2 Debris Tray, which helps to contain any debris from the materials being etching.

Silhouette Power Engraver for the Curio 2

The backside of the Power Engraver features a power plug that sits in the Carriage 2 housing and powers the device through the Silhouette Curio 2 machine. The end of the tool is a router tip that spins to perform the engrave process. It functions like a Dremel tool and sounds like one too. The sound changes depending on the materials being used.

And I’ll just say – I love it!

Specialty Tools Panel – Power Engraver – Tab 3

Here is a look at the details of the Power Engraver Panel in Silhouette Studio.

1 – Power Engraver Etch Fill Patterns – choose from None, Lined, Concentric, Cross-hatched, and Spiral

2 – Spacing – Increase or decrease the grid spacing between the lines of the pattern. The dark red star shows a 0.004″ spacing – a really tight etch fill

This is another area where you are changing a lot of data at one time, so be patient with your computer if it is thinking.

3 – Angle – Change the angle of the etch pattern.

4 – Release Engraving Fill – selecting this option will take the fill from an editable fill pattern and makes it a vector design.

This can be helpful if you are trying to stack multiple layers of etch for engraving on harder materials. It is not necessary to do this with simple etch designs or softer materials such as acrylic.

Silhouette Curio 2 Power Engraver

Here are a few examples of etching on acrylic with the Silhouette Power Engraver.

Silhouette Curio 2 Acrylic Etching with Power Engraver

I’ve had a lot of fun creating with the Silhouette Curio 2 and Power Engraver!

Find more details on etching with the Curio 2 in this post Beginner Acrylic Engrave/Etch with the Silhouette Curio 2 found HERE.
I share the supply list used for the projects and also details on the Silhouette Curio 2 – Beginner Acrylic Engrave Class that will take you step-by-step through the process. The class aims to quickly help you succeed in etching on the Curio 2.

Additional Resources:

Silhouette Curio 2 additional resources found HERE

Silhouette Studio Specialty Tools Panel Tabs (coming soon)

Specialty Tools Panel – Tab 1 – Emboss Panel details HERE
Specialty Tools Panel – Tab 2 – Score & Emboss – details HERE
Specialty Tools Panel – Tab 3 – Power Engraver – details above

Find the Silhouette Curio 2, Power Engraver Tool, and the Curio Debris Tray at either CrafterCuts, Silhouette America, or Amazon.
CrafterCuts has free shipping on orders over $35 and use code SECRETS to save 10% on supplies & accessories (not valid on machines).
Silhouette America has free shipping on orders over $50 if you are a Silhouette Club member.

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Silhouette Specialty Tools Power Engraver Panel

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Posted on May 9, 2024May 13, 2024 by silhouettesecretsplus — 6 Comments

Silhouette Specialty Tools Panel – Score & Emboss

Under the new Specialty Tools Panel on Tab 2 in Silhouette Studio, is the Score & Emboss Panel.

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The score & emboss process is designed to cut a shallow line before embossing, intending to deepen the embossing.

This option is available to Silhouette Curio 1, Silhouette Curio 2, and Silhouette Cameo 5 model owners. If one of these machines is not plugged in and recognized, the panel will gray out, and you may not be able to select the options.

Specialty Tools Panel – Score & Emboss – Tab 2

Here is a look at the details of the Score & Emboss Panel.

1 – Tool Selection – Choose either the Fine or Wide Embossing tool according to what you are using.

Fine Embossing tool is a 1 mm tip and designated by a light blue/green top.
Wide Embossing tool is a 3 mm tip and designated by a darker blue top.

2 – Passes – choose the number of passes for the tool to complete from 1 – 10
3 – Fill – check this to add a fill to the object selected.
4 – Apply Score & Emboss Lines – selecting this confirms to the software that you want to apply both these actions to the selected object

Score & Emboss on the Send Tab in Silhouette

Once you apply the Score & Emboss, clicking on the Send tab will display both a red cut line and a blue emboss line around the design.

Carriage 1 performs the red cut line with a blade installed, and Carriage 2 performs the blue emboss line with the embossing tool.

To be honest, I tested both with and without the Score line and it did not make a difference that I could tell with my cardstock, except that scoring increased the time & caused more debris. All cardstock will vary and testing is the only way to know what will work best with your brand and thickness of cardstock.

Here is a look at just embossing cardstock with the Silhouette Curio 2.

Here is a look at the Score & Emboss results. I noticed that it created debris and separation in some areas where it scored and embossed.

Results may vary depending on the actual cardstock being used. Silhouette does have a Score & Emboss paper that they recommend for this method. However, you can test with any cardstock and simply select the Score & Emboss Paper as the material on the Send tab.

Tips to Keep in Mind with Score & Emboss

When using the Score & Emboss feature, keep in mind that it increases the time for the project to complete because you have 2 tools working consecutively. Depending on what you tell the software to do, it can be a lot of data to process, so be patient with your computer if it is thinking.

Embossing is available on the following Silhouette model machines: Curio 1, Curio 2, Cameo 5.

The Silhouette Embossing tools (fine & wide tip) work in conjunction with the Silhouette 12″ x 12″ Embossing mat.

At the time of publishing this post, a bug persists in the Silhouette software for the Silhouette Cameo 5 causing it not to emboss where it shows on the screen. I will not release a tutorial until this bug is fixed, as I don’t want users to ruin their $30 embossing mat, as I did on the first try.

If you do attempt to do this with the Silhouette Cameo 5, I would highly recommend that you use a full 12″ x 12″ sheet of cardstock to protect the entire emboss mat surface.

Cutting completely through a material on top of the Silhouette Embossing mat is not recommended as it can damage the embossing pad and tear it up.

As new information is released and the bugs are fixed, I will add additional resources for embossing.

Silhouette Cameo 5 additional resources found HERE
Silhouette Curio 2 additional resources found HERE

Silhouette Studio Specialty Tools Panel Tabs (coming soon)

Specialty Tools Panel – Tab 1 – Emboss Panel details HERE
Specialty Tools Panel – Tab 2 – Score & Emboss – details above
Specialty Tools Panel – Tab 3 – Power Engraver – details HERE

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Posted on February 24, 2024February 22, 2024 by silhouettesecretsplus — 2 Comments

Let’s Explore v4 – Cut by Fill Color in Silhouette Studio

Silhouette Studio – Cut by Line Color

In this Let’s Explore v4 tutorial, we will cover the Silhouette Cut by Fill option. The Silhouette Studio software, has 4 options on the Send Tab on how to send the design to be cut – in the top right corner of the Send tab you will find the options Simple, Line, Fill, and Layers.

I’ve covered both the Send Tab – Simple option and the Send Tab – Line option in-depth in previous tutorials.

Silhouette Studio Send Tab - Cut by Fill Color

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Silhouette Cut by Fill option allows you to cut a project by fill color. The Silhouette software generates the list shown under the Fill option based on the colors that you (or the designer) has filled the design with.

In this example using the Mardi Gras M a sk file by Cut Files Makers, the file is already filled with color. If a design is not, you would need to select the pieces you want to fill and then select the color you want designated for that piece from the Fill Color Panel on the right or the Fill Color icon in the QAT in the top left of the Silhouette Studio software.

In this Send – Fill option, you have each fill color separated out in it’s own line and you can adjust the settings accordingly.

If you see an option that has a crosshatched pattern in it, that means there is no fill color for that cut line. This can happen when shapes haven’t been filled with a color or there is an image such as a png or jpeg on the file.

Details of the Silhouette Cut by Fill Color

Let’s take a look at what the actions are at the top of the Send tab in Silhouette for Cut by Fill Color.

Tool No.
Choose whether you will be using Tool 1 or Tool 2, also called Carriage 1 and Carriage 2

On/Off
Checked = Cut lines On
Unchecked = Cut lines Off

Bold color lines will be around the design that the cut lines are turned ON for. Notice the purple and yellow lines are not bold since they are turned OFF. Some colors are more difficult to see the bold edge, such as white.

Weld
The outer edge of overlapping objects of the color selected will be cut. Welding typically combines objects, but in this instance, the objects remain separate and the Cut Edge is activated.

Fill Color
The same colors of the fill that were set up on the Design Tab, should all show in the list under Fill Color. Different shades of a color will show up as different options.

Material
Choose the Material type you are using for each color.
Each fill color will need to be changed separately if you did not select the material on the Simple tab before clicking on the Cut by Fill Color option.

Action
Choose what action you will want to perform.

Tool/Carriage
Choose what tool you will be using to perform the action.

If you were to keep all of the colors checked and have the cut lines ON, the order in which they appear in the list is the order in which the action will be done. For instance in my photo that would mean, the green would cut first, then the yellow, and then the purple.

You can rearrange the order by clicking and grabbing a color and move it up or down in the list as shown in the video below demonstrating with the line color option.

Moving down the right side of the Send tab – Fill Option, you will see that the cut settings are expanded further down to show what the settings are for each option you have chosen.

The color that is highlighted (selected) at the top of the panel will be the settings that you see at the bottom. In my photo, the green color is highlighted, so it shows the settings for the green lines in the bottom.

Here is where you can adjust the settings as needed. The key here is to make sure that the color you want to change is the one highlighted at the top AND the color shows on the bottom. We are seeing many users changing the settings for the wrong color.

This happens so often, that I put out a video on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel showing exactly what I mean. Check it out HERE.

You can also add a Pause in between the difference color actions if you would like to do that versus unchecking the box to turn the cut lines off. Each user is going to vary in what they prefer to do. I prefer to check and uncheck the boxes as needed, just in case I have to step away from my machine.
But you can test out which way works best for you.
See a quick demo of Adding a Pause HERE.

Now, the rest of this panel is the same as when using the Simple tab.
Check out the in-depth tutorial on the Send Tab – Simple Option HERE for all those details.

Having options in the Silhouette Studio software is fantastic! I’m also thrilled with my new shirt adorned with ThermoFlex Plus Metal Flake HTV. Be sure to check out the “Crafting a Shirt with ThermoFlex and Silhouette (Poli-Tape)” video available on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel right HERE.

Silhouette PoliTape ThermoFlex Plus Mardi Gras Shirt

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Posted on January 14, 2024September 29, 2025 by silhouettesecretsplus — Leave a comment

Silhouette Curio 2 Guide to Blades and Tools + Free PDF Chart

The Silhouette Curio 2: Blade & Tools Chart

Have you ever wondered what tools are compatible with the Silhouette Curio 2? The Silhouette Curio 2 flatbed cutting machine can use a few additional tools that are not designed for the Silhoue tte Cameo 5 models. Let’s take a look at those today!

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I have created a free PDF chart of all the tools that can be used in the Silhouette Curio 2 . This chart is available as a free download exclusively for confirmed newsletter subscribers.

I always recommend stocking up on extra blades and cutting mats to have on hand. It can be very frustrating to be in the middle of a project with a dull blade or and adhesive mat that is no longer sticky. It is also one of the fastest ways to rule out a cutting issue you might have.

You can find blades & tools at Silhouette America, Crafter Cuts, or check out the other retailers in the Silhouette Secrets+ Recommended Retailers list HERE.
*use code SECRETS at CrafterCuts to save 10% off supplies and free shipping on orders over $35

For some of the specialty tools listed below I’ve also included links for tutorials and more information on their usage as well.

Silhouette Blades

Silhouette Autoblade – Type B
Carriage 1
Used for paper, cardstock, sticker sheets, adhesive vinyl, HTV, Chipboard, Acetate, and select specialty materials.
Materials under 1 mm thick
Available at Silhouette America or Crafter Cuts
*This is the blade I use most often. Most cut issues occurring with this blade can be fixed by following the steps in this video HERE – Troubleshooting Cut Issues

Silhouette 1 mm Manual Blade
Carriage 1
Used for paper, cardstock, sticker sheets, adhesive vinyl, HTV, Chipboard, Acetate, and select specialty materials.
Materials under 1 mm thick

Silhouette 2 mm Manual Blade
Carriage 1
Used for paper, cardstock, sticker sheets, adhesive vinyl, HTV, Chipboard, Acetate, Craft Foam, and select specialty materials.
Materials under 2 mm thick

Silhouette 2 mm Kraft Blade – Type B
Carriage 1
Used for chipboard, acetate, craft Foam, leather, and select specialty materials
Materials up to 2 mm thick
*15+ Tips for using the Kraft blade found HERE

Silhouette Tool Adapter Set
Carriage 1
Adapters are color coded for specific blades/tools
Black adapter = Silhouette blade (ratchet) & Premium blade
White adapter = 2 mm Kraft blade
Gray adapter = Deep Cut blade
Blue adapter = Silhouette Sketch pens

Silhouette Blade – often referred to as a “ratchet” blade but the official name is Silhouette blade
Carriage 1 with black adapter
Used for paper, cardstock, sticker sheets, adhesive vinyl, HTV, Chipboard, Acetate, and select specialty materials.
Materials under 1 mm thick

Silhouette Premium Blade
Carriage 1 with black adapter
Used for paper, cardstock, sticker sheets, adhesive vinyl, HTV, Chipboard, Acetate, and select specialty materials.
Materials under 1 mm thick

Silhouette Deep Cut B lade
Carriage 1 with gray adapter
Used for paper, cardstock, sticker sheets, adhesive vinyl, HTV, Chipboard, Acetate, Craft Foam, and select specialty materials.
Materials under 2 mm thick

Silhouette 2 mm Kraft Blade
Carriage 1 with white adapter
Used for chipboard, acetate, craft Foam, leather, and select specialty materials
Materials up to 2 mm thick
*15+ Tips for using the Kraft blade found HERE

Silhouette 3 mm Kraft Blade
Carriage 2
Used for chipboard, acetate, craft Foam, leather, and select specialty materials
Materials up to 3 mm thick
*15+ Tips for using the Kraft blade found HERE

Silhouette Rotary blade
Carriage 2
Used for fabrics, crepe paper, felt, wool, and select specialty materials
*Rotary Blade Tutorial HERE

Additional Silhouette Tools

Silhouette Pen Holder Type B
Carriage 1
Use with a variety of pen styles to sketch onto materials such as cardstock, paper, faux leather paper, etc.
*Step-by-step Sketching Class HERE
**More tutorials on sketching HERE

Silhouette Punch Tool
Carriage 2
Used with adhesive vinyl or HTV to punch a hole to designate where to weed the material out.
Also used with the Cameo 5 for etching on Silhouette metal sheets.
*12+ Tips for Etching with the Silhouette Cameo 5 HERE

Silhouette black bodied sketch pens
Carriage 1 with blue adapter
Used to sketch onto materials such as cardstock, paper, faux leather paper, etc.
*Step-by-step Sketching Class HERE
**More tutorials on sketching HERE

Silhouette Pen Holder – Type C
Carriage 2
Use with a variety of pen styles to sketch onto materials such as cardstock, paper, faux leather paper, etc.
Type C Pen Holder has a broader barrel on the end so you can use wider bodied pens and markers

Silhouette Embossing Tool Set – Type C
Carriage 2
Embosses onto materials such as cardstock, embossable foil, etc.
Set includes a fine and wide tip.

Silhouette Heat Pen Set – Powered Tool
Carriage 2
Applies foil transfer material to surfaces of many materials such as cardstock, faux leather, etc.
Cordless design and powered by the Cameo 5 Tool 2 housing
*Heat Pen Setup & Foiling tutorials HERE

Silhouette Heat Pen Super-Fine
Carriage 2
Applies foil transfer material to surfaces of many materials such as cardstock, faux leather, etc.
Cordless design and powered by the Cameo 5 Tool 2 housing
0.5 mm Super Fine Tip

Silhouette Power Engraver
Carriage 2
Surface engraves on materials such as metal sheets, acrylic, etc.
To be used with the Silhouette Curio Debris Tray
*Beginner Acrylic Etching Class with Power Engraver HERE
**Additional Silhouette Curio 2 Information HERE

Silhouette Leather Punch Tool
Carriage 2
Powered tool to punch holes in compatible materials such as cardstock and leatherette.
Not for use with real leather.
To be used with the Silhouette Curio Debris Tray
1 mm, 3 mm, and 5 mm Tip included
Replacement tips are available for purchase.

Additional Supplies

There are a few additional supplies for use with some of the specialty tools listed above.

Silhouette 12″ x 12″ Embossing Mat
For use with the Silhouette Embossing Tools

Silhouette Heat Transfer Foil – Gold & Silver
For use with the Silhouette Heat Pen Set
2 heat foil rolls (3 in x 33 feet)
*Heat Pen Setup & Foiling tutorials HERE

Silhouette Curio 2 Debris Tray
For use with the Silhouette Power Engraver

Silhouette Electrostatic Protector Sheet

Silhouette Electrosta t ic Protection Sheet
12″ x 12″ – 2 per pack
Protects the Electrostatic Bed from damage.

Grab the free PDF chart of all the Silhouette Curio 2 tools for future reference when you subscribe to the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter.
*chart is the current tools available for the Silhouette Curio 2 January 2024

Find even more information on the Silhouette Curio 2 HERE including an unboxing, setup, first cuts, and the Electrostatic Bed.

Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Enjoy !

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Posted on January 13, 2024September 29, 2025 by silhouettesecretsplus — 2 Comments

A Guide to Silhouette Cameo 5 Blades and Tools + Free PDF Chart

Let’s talk tools. Tools for the Silhouette Cameo 5 and Cameo 5 Plus model machines specifically in this post.

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

With the release of the Silhouette Cameo 5, a couple new tools were released that can be used with the new machines. These include the Embossing tools, Heat Pen Set, and Pen Holder Type C.

I’ve created a free PDF chart listing all the tools compatible with the Silhouette Cameo 5 and Cameo 5 Plus. This chart is available as a free download exclusively for confirmed newsletter subscribers.

Let’s take a look at all the blades and tools that can be used in the Silhouette Cameo 5. For some of the specialty tools listed below I have also included links for tutorials and more information on their usage as well.

Silhouette Blades

Silhouette Autoblade – Type B
Carriage 1
Used for paper, cardstock, sticker sheets, adhesive vinyl, HTV, Chipboard, Acetate, and select specialty materials.
Materials under 1 mm thick
Available at Silhouette America or Crafter Cuts
*This is the blade I use most often. Most cut issues occurring with this blade can be fixed by following the steps in this video HERE – Troubleshooting Cut Issues

Silhouette 1 mm Manual Blade
Carriage 1
Used for paper, cardstock, sticker sheets, adhesive vinyl, HTV, Chipboard, Acetate, and select specialty materials.
Materials under 1 mm thick

Silhouette 2 mm Manual Blade
Carriage 1
Used for paper, cardstock, sticker sheets, adhesive vinyl, HTV, Chipboard, Acetate, Craft Foam, and select specialty materials.
Materials under 2 mm thick

Silhouette 2 mm Kraft Blade – Type B
Carriage 1
Used for chipboard, acetate, craft Foam, leather, and select specialty materials
Materials up to 2 mm thick
*15+ Tips for using the Kraft blade found HERE

Silhouette Tool Adapter Set
Carriage 1
Adapters are color coded for specific blades/tools
Black adapter = Silhouette blade (ratchet) & Premium blade
White adapter = 2 mm Kraft blade
Gray adapter = Deep Cut blade
Blue adapter = Silhouette Sketch pens

Silhouette Blade – often referred to as a “ratchet” blade but the official name is Silhouette blade
Carriage 1 with black adapter
Used for paper, cardstock, sticker sheets, adhesive vinyl, HTV, Chipboard, Acetate, and select specialty materials.
Materials under 1 mm thick

Silhouette Premium Blade
Carriage 1 with black adapter
Used for paper, cardstock, sticker sheets, adhesive vinyl, HTV, Chipboard, Acetate, and select specialty materials.
Materials under 1 mm thick

Silhouette Deep Cut Blade
Carriage 1 with gray adapter
Used for paper, cardstock, sticker sheets, adhesive vinyl, HTV, Chipboard, Acetate, Craft Foam, and select specialty materials.
Materials under 2 mm thick

Silhouette 2 mm Kraft Blade
Carriage 1 with white adapter
Used for chipboard, acetate, craft Foam, leather, and select specialty materials
Materials up to 2 mm thick
*15+ Tips for using the Kraft blade found HERE

Silhouette 3 mm Kraft Blade
Carriage 2
Used for chipboard, acetate, craft Foam, leather, and select specialty materials
Materials up to 3 mm thick
*15+ Tips for using the Kraft blade found HERE

Silhouette Rotary blade
Carriage 2
Used for fabrics, crepe paper, felt, wool, and select specialty materials
*Rotary Blade Tutorial HERE

Additional Silhouette Tools

Silhouette Pen Holder Type B
Carriage 1
Use with a variety of pen styles to sketch onto materials such as cardstock, paper, faux leather paper, etc.
*Step-by-step Sketching Class HERE
**More tutorials on sketching HERE

Silhouette Punch Tool
Carriage 2
Used with adhesive vinyl or HTV to punch a hole to designate where to weed the material out.
Also used with the Cameo 5 for etching on Silhouette metal sheets.
*12+ Tips for Etching with the Silhouette Cameo 5 HERE

Silhouette black bodied sketch pens
Carriage 1 with blue adapter
Used to sketch onto materials such as cardstock, paper, faux leather paper, etc.
*Step-by-step Sketching Class HERE
**More tutorials on sketching HERE

Silhouette Pen Holder – Type C
Carriage 2
Use with a variety of pen styles to sketch onto materials such as cardstock, paper, faux leather paper, etc.
Type C Pen Holder has a broader barrel on the end so you can use wider bodied pens and markers

Silhouette Embossing Tool Set – Type C
Carriage 2
Embosses onto materials such as cardstock, embossable foil, etc.
Set includes a fine and wide tip.

Silhouette Heat Pen Set – Powered Tool
Carriage 2
Applies foil transfer material to surfaces of many materials such as cardstock, faux leather, etc.
Cordless design and powered by the Cameo 5 Tool 2 housing – 1 mm & 2.5 mm tip
*Heat Pen Setup & Foiling tutorials HERE

Additional Supplies

There are a few additional supplies for use with some of the specialty tools listed above.

Silhouette 12″ x 12″ Embossing Mat
For use with the Silhouette Embossing Tools

Silhouette Heat Transfer Foil – Gold & Silver
For use with the Silhouette Heat Pen Set
2 heat foil rolls (3 in x 33 feet)
*Heat Pen Setup & Foiling tutorials HERE

Silhouette Electrostatic Bed
Uses static electricity to hold materials in place while being cut with the Cameo 5 models
*Tips for using the Silhouette Electrostatic Bed HERE

Silhouette Electrostatic Protection Sheet
12″ x 12″ – 2 per pack
Protects the Electrostatic Bed from damage.

There are a lot of options now available with the Silhouette Cameo 5 and Cameo 5 Plus.

Grab the free PDF chart of all Silhouette Cameo 5 tools for future reference when you subscribe to the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter.
*chart is the current tools available for the Cameo 5 and Cameo 5 Plus January 2024

Find even more information on the Silhouette Cameo 5 HERE including an unboxing, setup, first cuts, and the Electrostatic Bed.

Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Image of a tool chart for the Silhouette Cameo 5 and Cameo 5 Plus, featuring various cutting tools and their specifications, along with a 'Free PDF' label.

Enjoy !

THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee.
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Posted on October 17, 2021December 28, 2021 by silhouettesecretsplus — 2 Comments

New Computer Tips

New computer – Now what?

Are you a Silhouette owner and just got a new computer? Not sure where to go from there?

It is pretty easy to get setup and running with a new computer and I’m going to share a few tips.

First when you get a new computer, be prepared that it will take a little bit for it to be ready for you to start using. There will be some computer setup instructions for you to follow. And if you are a PC owner, you may find that you have a lot of Windows updates that need to install in order to get it ready for use.
Be patient and let it setup correctly. I know you are excited, believe me, I was too when I got my new computer last year. But, there really is no rushing it.
The updates will finish when they finish.

Silhouette Studio Software Installation

When you get a new computer, you will first need to download the software on to the new computer.
This can be found on the Silhouette America website.
Click on Software & then Get Software

Next, you will see a web page that will show all the software from Silhouette that’s available.

For the Silhouette cutting machines, you will select the Silhouette Studio option.

You will need to start with the Basic software. The current version is listed at the top.

For Legacy versions, continue scrolling down the page.

Choose the current version and then click on the either the Mac or the Windows option. This will download the installer to your computer and you will open that to start the installation.

Click HERE to go directly to the Software download page.

There may be some pop ups that come up that need approval in order to proceed. Watch the bottom task bar for any flashing shields if the pop up doesn’t actually pop up.

If a flashing shield appears, click on it and then approve all the pop ups.

Once the installation is complete, you can open the Silhouette Software.

If by chance you have a new Windows PC and it is running in S mode, it will not let any program that is outside of the Microsoft Store install on the computer. You will need to take it out of S mode in order to install any programs, including the Silhouette software.
For more information on how to take it out of Windows S mode click HERE.

Silhouette Studio Upgrades

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Silhouette software upgrades include Designer Edition, Designer Edition Plus, and Business Edition. These upgrades unlock features that are in the software. To see what each upgrade unlocks, click the comparison area to find out more information.
Find this HERE

This will bring up a chart you can scroll down through to see what features are with each upgrade.

Check out my favorite features of the software upgrades HERE in this post on
Software Upgrade – My Favorite Features.

Upgrades activation on current software

If you are using a software version of v4.4.554 or higher, you do not need to enter your upgrade codes in the software. Click on Help – Apply Upgrade Edition and enter your log in information. Do NOT enter your upgrade codes. Once you log in with your Silhouette account info, your upgrade should be active on any computer you log in to.

This is a new feature and is only available in software versions of v4.4.554 or higher. The upgrade can only be active on 3 computers at a time. If you log into a 4th computer, it will deactivate on the oldest computer that has not been active.

For more information on this in detail, check out this post
Let’s Explore v4 – How to Activate an Upgrade

Upgrades activation on legacy software

For older software, software upgrades do not automatically activate when you download the Silhouette software to a new computer. If you have ever entered an upgrade code, you will need enter the upgrade codes in the order that you purchased them for it to activate on the new computer. So if you purchased the Designer Edition and then the Business Edition later, you would need to enter the code for Designer first and then Business next. If you try to enter Business Edition first, you will get an error and it will not activate.

If you are a brand new user, there is a new system that is in process and you can activate the upgrade on the Silhouette America website to be used on any computer you log into. This is still very new and only available for those that are brand new and have never entered an upgrade code as of 10/15/21.

If you do not remember what the codes were, you can easily access them under your Silhouette account information in the Silhouette Design Store. Open the Silhouette Design Store, make sure you are signed in, move the mouse over the person icon in the top right corner, and then choose Account Settings.

Then click on the License Keys section.

Log into the Silhouette Library

Once the software is open, click in the top right corner on the Library tab.

Enter your Silhouette Account information and all of the files that are in the Silhouette Cloud should Sync up. It will depend on how many files you have in your Silhouette library on how long it will take to fully sync. Another hurry up and wait moment.

Plug in Silhouette machines to computer & turn on

If you have an older model Silhouette machine of a Cameo 3 or older, the free files download to the library once the machine is recognized. Plug in the Silhouette machine, turn it on, and click on the Send tab.
Once it has recognized the machine, then the files will download to the library.
You will need to do this for ALL machines that you have had plugged into your software to get those free files to download.

If you have multiple machines, click on the little machine icon in the bottom right corner of the Send tab to choose the machine you want active.

This will also unlock any panels that are associated with a particular machine such as the Emboss Panel for the Curio or the Stipple Panel for the Cameo 4, Cameo 3, Portrait 2, and Curio machines.

Exporting files on old computer

Note: this is only needed if files cannot be recovered in another way

If there are files that did not show up when you logged in and the library synced, the first reason would be they are the free with machine and I would suggest looking at the above information again. If you have done that, then it could be because those files were only stored on the Local User section of the old computer. This will be dependent on the Silhouette software version you were using before. If you were using a version prior to v4.1, you will find more tips on exporting the library in this post – Library Tips (v4.1).

If you have a library backup file, it can then be imported into the Silhouette library by clicking on your name in the top left of the Library and choose Library Import, then select the location of the file backup.

But this only needs to be done if files are missing and you cannot get them to sync up any other way.

Install fonts on the new computer

Keep in mind that when you set up a new computer, you are starting from scratch. That means you will need to install any program or file that you were using on the old computer, if you want it on the new computer. This includes fonts. The new computer comes loaded with the default fonts only and these can vary by computer.

While I have heard of others being able to copy and paste the entire font file from their computer programs folders on the old computer and then pasting it into the new computer fonts folder, I was unable to do this on my new computer. I had to right click on the font and choose “Install for All Users”.

Luckily, I had saved all my font files that I’ve collected onto a folder in my external hard drive, so I could access them direct from the external drive. While I still had to install over 500 fonts, I did get to also pick and choose which ones I really “needed” on the new computer.

I have had 2 new computers in the last several years and on one I had to install each font and on the other, some worked by copy and paste.

Keep in mind that if you created designs using certain fonts, when you open the design file, if that font is not installed on the computer you are using to open the file, the font will revert to the default font style on that computer.

Export User Designs from Silhouette Library – New Feature!

If you have downloaded the current version or a version higher than v4.4.552, there is also a new feature that allows you to export all User Designs from the library as individual files.

Click on your name in the top left corner of the library tab and choose Export User Created Designs.

While I do NOT recommend storing your personal files in the Silhouette library, there are times that it is handy when you are accessing files on multiple computers or using Pattern Fills in the Silhouette software.

One big thing to note

when exporting these User Designs is that it will export the entire library folder structure. However, any designs from the Silhouette Design Store, the folders will be empty. Only the user created designs will be exported. This is due to the proprietary nature of the .studio files and to protect the designers of those files from theft.

I would HIGHLY recommend using this export feature when you update to the software of v4.4.552 or higher because it is a really nice feature.
However, as a general note, I do not recommend that all users update to this version or higher. There are many factors that I consider before advising a user on whether they should update. It really comes down to the user’s choice, however, before I make a recommendation I do ask for more information.
If you would like to know what I’d recommend for your situation, feel free to post on the
Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae Facebook group and we can take a look at the factors.

Keep in mind that the Silhouette library is not designed as an all inclusive storage area but as a syncing device. This is one reason the Silhouette cloud storage is limited in size. All users get 1 GB of storage space, but if you are a Silhouette Club Member or a Silhouette Design Store Subscriber, you get 5 GB of storage.

I hope this helps you start enjoying that new computer and your Silhouette software a little bit quicker!
The biggest tip I can say is to be patient! I am not the most patient person when it comes to setting up a new computer, but if I tell myself that in the beginning sometimes it helps.

We love seeing what you are creating with your Silhouette machines or software.
Feel free to post photos or questions on my Facebook group at
Silhouette Secrets with EllyMae.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Enjoy!

THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee.
Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.

Or if you are looking for more in-depth, step-by-step classes, check out all of my online Silhouette classes on my Teachable site HERE.

Posted on September 26, 2021October 2, 2021 by silhouettesecretsplus — 1 Comment

Home Decor with Silhouette

Using the Silhouette Software to Help Design Home Décor

I always have my eye out for things that I can use in creating with my Silhouette machine. Target had these little wooden houses available in their Dollar section.

After debating with my inner self, I finally picked up a set.
I always have this inner dialog on – can I make that? Will I make that?
Yes, I can cut the wood, but when will I get it done?
Right now, in the process of moving, our wood shop is not set up, so I did it.
I bought wood shapes.

If you have access to a saw, you could create your own shapes. This tutorial is not limited to these little house shapes, but think about the supplies you have on hand and you can use this same technique for any blanks you use.

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Next, gather the rest of the supplies.
– Paint
– Foam brush
– Paint palette or small dish
– Sponge
– Painters Tape
– Adhesive Vinyl
– Transfer Tape
– Squeegee
– Weeding tool

Tape off any sections needed with the painters tape. In this case, each house has a metal chimney.

Paint the houses any color you want.
I chose to paint a solid color of gray, light blue, or dark gray as the first coat and then used the white chalk paint with the sponge on top of that to give it a distressed look.

Let the wood blanks dry completely.

Next, measure the space of each blank and write that down.

This is just a rough draft and does not have to be perfect or to scale.

Using the information from your measurements and drawing, draw shapes in the Silhouette software to design use as “design templates”.

For these houses I started by using a rectangle under the Drawing Tool on the left side and then used the Edit Points to pull up a point in the roof.

Check out this video tutorial showing the full process of drawing the shapes in Silhouette Studio.

Find this video on YouTube HERE

Once you have the template shapes, then you can decide on the designs to fill those shapes. Some designs will work better in the shapes than others.

I used the following designs on my double sided houses:
– Home Sweet Home by Angele Camp – Design #233239
– Hello Fall by Lilium Pixel SVG – Design #300125
– Home Sweet Home by Diva Watts Designs – Design #346001
– Home Sweet Home by Diva Watts Designs – Design #347923
– Home Sweet Home by Design Hooked – Design #354446
– Fall Bouquet by Tanya Batrak – Design #159397

Once all the designs are sized how you want them to cut, move the designs around on the virtual mat to cut out each color vinyl you want them in.

Then send to the Silhouette machine to cut all the adhesive vinyl pieces. I cut everything from Oracal 651 adhesive vinyl.
I have been having an issue with the vinyl cutting too deep into the backing using the preset settings, so I am using the settings of:
Blade depth – 2
Force – 5
Speed – 5
With a Silhouette Autoblade and it is cutting, weeding, and transferring beautifully.

Cut settings depend on many variables and test cuts will be the way to find out what is going to work best with your material and blade. For more tips on cut settings check out this post – Perfect Cut Setting in Silhouette.

Carefully weed the excess vinyl from around the designs.

This takes practice and the cut settings can make a big difference in the ease of weeding.
Do not rip it off like a bandaid.

After all the weeding is done, apply vinyl to blanks

Here is a quick real time video of the application process on one of the wood blanks.

In the above video, I reference a recent tutorial on the Smart Snapping lines. This can be a very helpful tool as shown in the video.
Check out the Let’s Explore v4 – Smart Snapping post HERE

And now you have some seasonal or year round décor.

Double sided means that they can pull double duty in your seasonal decorations.

And if I were to ever want to change the designs out, I would just carefully remove the vinyl. Sand it if needed and repaint, then cut and place new vinyl designs on them.

Keep in mind that you can use these tips & techniques for any blanks you might have!

I’d love see what you create & how you use the tools in Silhouette Studio
Feel free to post on the
Silhouette Secrets+ Facebook Group.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Enjoy!

THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee.
Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.

Or if you are looking for more in-depth, step-by-step classes, check out all of my online Silhouette classes on my Teachable site HERE.

**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.

Posted on March 14, 2021June 26, 2025 by silhouettesecretsplus — 31 Comments

Perfect Cut Settings for Silhouette

I know everyone is always looking for the “perfect cut settings” with Silhouette.
Well, let’s just start with

That is a myth!

What you will see is many “suggested settings”.
Even in the Silhouette software, there are “preset settings“.
These are just a starting point.

Why?

Well, the first reason is
Not all materials are created the same.
You may have variances in products even within the same brand, colors, style, etc. There is no magic one size fits all cut setting.
This is why you will see so many “suggestions” from user’s when someone asks on a Facebook post. It is also why you will see each different retailer have their own “suggested settings.”

Materials pictured: Leather, Cardstock, Felt, Faux Leather, Crepe Paper, Fabric, Vinyl

The next reason is
There are many other factors that play into it.
The settings that might work for one user may not work for another because the factors may not all be the same.

The biggest of these factors is whether the blade is installed properly and adjusting correctly.
This is still the #1 cutting error issue and it affects ALL Silhouette machines.

Cameo 3 Autoblade and Silhouette black “ratchet” blade installation

This is one of the best things you can learn to do for yourself & to save yourself headache in the future. It doesn’t matter if you are an experienced user or a beginner. If the blade is not installed properly with no gap and adjusting properly, you WILL have cut issues.
This is an important step no matter what blade type you are using. If you have a gap between the lip of the blade and the housing, you will most likely experience inconsistent cut results.

This is how the blade should be installed on a Cameo 4, Cameo Plus, Cameo Pro, or Portrait 3.

There should be absolutely no gap between the lip of the blade and the housing.
AND the lock on the front of the blade needs to be pushed in completely.

For those using the Autoblade watch as the machine does it’s “tap dance” at the beginning of the cut, does the red line inside the blade adjust properly and to the correct number?

If it does not, we can start troubleshooting it with a photo of the blade installed with the cutting mat or vinyl loaded if you post on the Silhouette Secrets+ Facebook group or check out this video by Silhouette America on Cutting Machine Maintenance and how to Reset the Motor at 4:38 in the video. This should reset the housing so that it is properly aligned to hit the adjustment holes correctly.

After the blade installation other factors that play into a cut are:

Blade life? How old is the blade? Or more importantly, how much as it been used.

What else has the blade cut? I would recommend keeping dedicated blades for each material you do cut. This can increase the lifespan of the blades and get you better cuts. For instance, glitter eats a blade and can sometimes even take chunks out of it. If you’ve cut glitter and then go back to cutting vinyl, it may not cut well again. Or another examples is cutting cardstock. Paper dulls a blade at a different rate than vinyl.
This is one reason that fabric people & people who sew have separate scissors for cutting fabric vs paper scissors.
Also keep in mind that thicker, denser materials are going to dull a blade faster than thin materials.

Cutting with a 3rd party mat? Third party mats can be different sizes and thicknesses. This can affect the cut quality. It is not recommended to use 3rd party mats for many reasons. It can affect not only the cut quality but also the lifespan of the machine’s rollers as well.

Is the cutting strip damaged? This is a rubber strip under the blade housing that provides the pressure from the bottom of the mat/material. Any nicks, dings, holes, slices in it can affect the cut.
Find more details on the cutting strip HERE.

Are you re-sticking your mats? Re-sticking mat can cause all kinds of cutting issues. It can gum up the machine or blades. It can cause the rollers to not function properly. It is not advised.

Cheap materials? Sometimes it’s a get what you pay for situation. Cheap vinyl/htv, etc. can be a headache and it may not be that you are doing anything wrong, it’s just difficult to work with.

Silhouette machine model? Yes, each machine can vary because they are different.

All of these are factors that can affect the cut quality.

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

So what do you do?

TEST CUT

Test cuts are going to be your BEST FRIEND!

I start with the preset in the software that is the closest material to what I’m using.

For instance, if I’m cutting a solid color Heat Transfer, I select Heat Transfer Smooth and do a test cut with the recommended settings. If I’m cutting Oracal 651, I start with the Vinyl – Glossy setting. If it doesn’t cut, adjust the cut settings and do another test cut. I recommend only changing 1 thing at a time and doing a new test cut. If you change too many things at once, you don’t really know what worked.

As you do this more and more, you will start to see patterns. For instance, on the Cameo 4 models I find I have to increase the blade depth up 1 on almost all materials.

There are 2 ways you can do a test cut.

1 – Use the Test Cut feature in the Silhouette software on the Send tab.

The default test cut option is in the upper left corner of either the mat or the material loaded.

If you need to move the test cut to do it again, you can do so in 2 ways. You will need to move the test cut to the exact location you want it to cut on your material.

To do this, use the arrows keys next to the test cut button on the Send tab in the software or the arrows on the Cameo touch panel on the right side.

To move the housing, you will need to move it both over to the right and down. The housing will perform the test cut in the exact location it is placed. If it is only moved over to the right, it will cut the top of the cutting mat.

Or the second way to do a test cut is use a shape or object.

I use a capital B that I type out and then I will place it on my virtual mat where my design is not located at. I love this way because it is faster than adjusting the housing and a bit more accurate since you place it where you want.

Wine Makes It All Fine by Sophie Gallo – Design #323636

Click on the Send tab, click exactly on the design to select it and choose No Cut to turn the cut lines off on the design and only cut the capital B.

Select the material you are cutting and click the Send button at the bottom of the Send tab to cut the B. Did it cut? If not, adjust the settings, move the B and send it to cut again.

It is much better to use a small section of material to make sure the settings will work versus sending a full 20″ design and it didn’t cut well. This will save you both time and headache.

Note: if doing a print and cut project, you do not want the test cut to cut from the top left of the printed page or it can interfere with the reading of the registration marks.

You can also either change the Line Colo r or the Fill Color of the B and then use the Cut by Line or Cut by Fill color options to turn the cut lines on or off.

This was one of the habits that I found the hardest to get into. I was a Silhouette user for many years before I knew about the test cut feature. But, if you think about it, it makes complete sense and it will save you time, materials, and headache in the long run!

While there are NO one size fits all “cut settings”, the more you cut, you will get familiar with what you are working with.

Once you have found those “perfect” cut settings for your material, you can create a custom setting in Silhouette for your materials. Find out more on Custom Cut Settings HERE.
And if you do use custom cut settings, make sure you are backing those up or writing them down somewhere too!

Now the next question I see all the time is “How long should a blade last?“

Again, there is no “perfect” answer to this!

As a beginner I do feel you will go through blades and cutting mats faster than an experienced user.
Why?

Because you are learning!
Learning how this work, learning how things cut, learning what works and what doesn’t.
As you continue to cut things, you will find tips and tricks that work for you!

Many of the same factors go into the blade life as the cut settings, such as materials you are cutting or settings you are using.

While I know that may not be the news you want to hear – that there is no “magic” button to cut all materials, I hope that it will help save you some frustration and headache in the long run.
Test cut, test cut, test cut. Now repeat it to yourself!

Whether you are a new user or an experienced user, I would love to see what you create with your Silhouette machines & software.
Feel free to post photos or questions on my Facebook group at
Silhouette Secrets with EllyMae.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Enjoy !

THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee.
Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.

Silhouette Classes

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Factors That Can Affect Printed Colors

Silhouette Studio: Color Test Print

Additional Tips for Printing:

Objects or designs need to be filled with color to print.

Cut lines do not print unless told to do so.

Sublimation prints need to be pressed to show true color.

New equipment may not function the same as old equipment.

Low ink of any cartridge or tank can affect the color outcome.

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Specialty Tools Panel – Heat Pen – Tab 4

Silhouette Heat Pen

Supplies Used

Additional Resources:

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Specialty Tools Panel – Power Engraver – Tab 3

Silhouette Curio 2 Power Engraver

Additional Resources:

Silhouette Classes

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Specialty Tools Panel – Score & Emboss – Tab 2

Score & Emboss on the Send Tab in Silhouette

Tips to Keep in Mind with Score & Emboss

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Silhouette Studio – Cut by Line Color

Details of the Silhouette Cut by Fill Color

Silhouette Classes

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The Silhouette Curio 2: Blade & Tools Chart

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Silhouette Blades

Additional Silhouette Tools

Additional Supplies

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Silhouette Blades

Additional Silhouette Tools

Additional Supplies

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Silhouette Classes

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New computer – Now what?

Silhouette Studio Software Installation

Silhouette Studio Upgrades

Log into the Silhouette Library

Plug in Silhouette machines to computer & turn on

Exporting files on old computer

Install fonts on the new computer

Export User Designs from Silhouette Library – New Feature!

One big thing to note

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Using the Silhouette Software to Help Design Home Décor

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That is a myth!

Why?

So what do you do?

TEST CUT

There are 2 ways you can do a test cut.

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