Silhouette cutting mat Archives

Posted on November 26, 2019May 24, 2020 by silhouettesecretsplus — 27 Comments

Let’s Explore v4.3 – Page Setup Panel

It’s new! The new v4.3 software has been released and there are a few changes to how things look in the software. With the release of the new Cameo 4, a new software update had to be released in order for the Cameo 4 to be recognized in the software.

Today we are going to take a look at what the Page Setup Panel – Tab 1 looks like now in v4.3 software. If you have an older software version prior to v4.3, check out this post HERE – Let’s Explore v4 – Page Setup Panel – Page Size and Cutting Mat.

How do I know what software version I have?

First, let’s see what software version you are using.

On a PC, in the top left corner, click on Help > About Silhouette.

On a MAC, navigate to the top left menu, click on Silhouette Studio, and then click on About Silhouette.

(Thanks Libby Ashcraft for this MAC screenshot!)

This little window tells us a lot of information and is handy to have when troubleshooting an issue a user is having.

It tells me that I am using version 4.3.353 (currently a Beta version) and that I have Silhouette Studio Business Edition (ssbe) active on my computer.

Now, you may ask why I am using a Beta version? Well, I am part of the Silhouette Beta testing group and test the software releases that may have bug fixes or if I find bugs I can report those to the folks who need to know.
Do I recommend the Beta for the average user? NO
I only recommend the Beta version if someone is having an issue I know is resolved by updating to the Beta version or if you are very familiar with the software. The Beta version is a TEST version and with that can come unknown bugs.
The main thing I want you to find here is where to find your software version information.

Now that you know that information, you can tell if you are on a version prior to v4.2 or if you have a v4.3 software.

So let’s take a look at the differences between the Page Setup Panel – Tab 1 in v4.2 versus v4.3.

So if you are a v4.2 or prior user, you will want to look at this post HERE for the Page Setup Panel look that matches your software.

If you are a v4.3 software user or just curious what v4.3 holds, keep reading as we go through the entire panel.

The Page Setup Panel is found in the top right corner of the Silhouette software and is one of the most important panels to get started designing.

Let’s take a look at what each of these sections tells us.

Machine – Select the machine that you want to design with. Now you can choose between a Cameo, Portrait, Curio, Alta, CE Lite, or none for the designated machine.

This is great for Silhouette owners who may want to design on a Curio mat when they are not connected to the machine.
It will allow the Curio mat to come up on the design page so a user can then design within that Curio mat versus having to go plug their machine in for it to be recognized.

This is the biggest reason for the Page Setup Panel change.
However, something to note is that while you can select the machine to design with, you would still need to have plugged in a Curio and it be recognized by the software to unlock the Curio features such as the Emboss Panel.
Cutting Mat – Choose the cutting mat size depending on what you are using.
Each machine type selected will have a variety of options.
Here are the Cameo options:

Here are the Curio options:

Each drop down list will vary depending on what you have chosen in the #1 area.
Media Size – this was previously known as page size and now has been changed to media as the materials you can use in your Silhouette has expanded. In the drop down are several preset sizes for the most common media sizes.

Choosing a specific media size will adjust the media size on the screen and you will see a white “page” show up on the screen depending on the size chosen. White will appear for the media size if the transparency is at 0% – see below*

In the photo above, I have selected the Machine: Cameo, Cutting Mat: Auto (Cameo), and Media Size: Letter. Notice that the white has adjusted to match the Letter size paper of 8.5″ wide by 11″ height.
Under this Media size section, you can also select a custom size by entering the dimensions into the Width and Height section.

Note: the width of the Media Size cannot be set larger than 12″ since the Silhouette Cameo cannot cut wider than 12″.
If you try to adjust the width larger than 12″, it will revert it back to 12″.
If you want to design with a page size larger than 12″, change the Cutting Mat to none & then you will be able to adjust the Media size larger than 12″ wide.
Transparency – adjust the transparency of the media size you have selected. At 0% it shows as a solid white media on the screen. As you increase the transparency the white disappears and you will see the grid spacing of the cutting mat appear.
This was formerly called “Reveal” under the cutting mat section.
Orientation – change the orientation of the page to Portrait or Landscape orientation
Rotate View – change the orientation of the entire design mat on the Silhouette software. This only rotates the view of the mat on the screen.
Keep in mind that the black arrow is always the “top” of the mat or the “top” of the media. This is the first part of the media that is loaded into the machine.

Here is the view rotated to 270 degrees. No matter where the black arrow is pointing on the screen, that is always the top of the mat or media that is loaded into the machine.
This is something to keep in mind when you are placing your design and media on the cutting mat.
Show Print Border – check the box next this option to turn the Print Border on. It will show as a gray border on the screen and is set according to what printer is recognized by the computer

The print border should have no affect on the cutting space, it shows what the printer margins are set to for the printer that is set up on your computer.
If the gray lines are showing at a smaller size, most likely the print size has been changed in the Printer Setup within the software or within the Printer setup on the computer.
Check under File > Print Page Setup for more details on the printer page size.
Show Cut Border – check this box to show the maximum cut border that you have to work with. A red cut border will appear around the media size you have selected.

There are 2 options for the cut border in the software. There is the Cut to Edge of Page, which is what I have my software set at as shown above. This option can be found under the Preferences options > Defaults tab in the software.

Or there is the default, which places the cut border just a bit within the edges of the media size.

It is all a matter of personal preference in how you have the software set up.
I always have my Show Cut border checked, especially when doing a Print and Cut project.
Print Bleed – this option can be selected for when a project is being printed through your printer to be cut. The Bleed radius can be adjusted in this section too.

It will give the colors a bleed area (similar to an offset) around the design that is being printed. This is to help avoiding a white border around the design when it is cut.

In this photo you can see that with the Print Bleed option chosen it bleeds the color out from the edges of the design.

Here you can see the print bleed excess once the design is peeled away.
Something to note about Print Bleed is that it does NOT show the bleed on the design screen. The bleed is only present when you have this option selected and print onto the material.

And there you have the new v4.3 Page Setup Panel. Now, if you made it all the way through the post and are scratching your head as to why your Page Setup Panel does not look this way. It could be that you are not yet on the v4.3 software version.
Check out this post HERE to see if that looks more like what you are seeing.

The next question you may be asking is – Why does it have to change?

Well, whether we like it or not, change can be good. New features, new machines, new techniques! It is a never ending learning process and I for one am grateful that the Silhouette company looks for ways to improve on things.

Check out the “Let’s Explore v4” section on the blog for more Silhouette software explanations HERE.

I would love to see your projects & I know others in my group do too! Feel free to post on my Facebook group at Silhouette Secrets with EllyMae.

Save this post for future reference by pinning the image below.

Enjoy!

**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 February 12, 2019December 10, 2024 by silhouettesecretsplus — 23 Comments

How to Make Your Silhouette Cutting Mat Last Longer and Perform Better

Ensuring your Silhouette cutting mat lasts longer and performs at its best can significantly enhance your crafting experience. By following a few simple tips, you can maintain its adhesiveness, accuracy, and overall longevity. In this guide, we’ll share practical advice on how to properly care for your cutting mat, including cleaning techniques, storage recommendations, and best practices for using it with your Silhouette machine. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter, these tips will help you get the most out of your cutting mat, resulting in cleaner cuts and more professional-looking projects.

Today, I am stepping away from the “Let’s Explore v4” series about software for another topic I am asked about all the time.
I want to share some tips I’ve discovered about getting the most use out of the Silhouette cutting mats.

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

As a beginning Silhouette user, I do feel you go through mats and blades quicker because you are learning. As you practice, you will find out tricks and techniques that help you get more life out of the blades and mats.

So let’s get right to the tips I’ve found:

Tips to get the most out of your Silhouette cutting mat

Cover the mat with the blue protective sheet after each use.

Even if you will be using it again soon, place the shiny side of the blue protective cover back on the mat to keep it free from any debris.

You never know when you could accidentally knock it on the floor or your wonderful, helpful cat will walk across the work space.
Covering it each time can help keep it clean.

Place the shiny side of the blue protective cover down on the adhesive side of the mat.

There are 2 sides to the blue protective cover – a shiny side, which is non-stick and a matte side. The matte side will stick to the adhesive more and can cause it to be less sticky.

If you have a hard time remembering, take a Sharpie marker and write TOP on the matte side of the protective cover to help remind you.

De-stick a brand new, super sticky mat.

When you first open a new mat, you will notice that it is super sticky.
After peeling the protective cover off, apply the adhesive side of the mat to a clean cotton t-shirt or a cotton towel. This helps “season” the mat a little bit and makes it easier to get materials to release from the adhesive on the mat.
I generally just stick it on my t-shirt a couple times before placing my materials down on it.

Cut the materials down to the size needed and then place it on the mat.

This can save the life of the adhesive vs sticking a full sheet of material on the mat and then peeling it off the adhesive every time.

I use the Transparency feature on the Page Setup Panel to reveal the grid spacing on my virtual cutting mat and then line up the materials with where I have placed them on my screen.

In older version of the software prior to v4.3, it is called the Reveal feature. Same tool, just a new name.

I have found that this saves the adhesive and if I find one section isn’t as sticky any longer, I can move the material to another section.

Flip the mat over after the cut & peel the mat away from the materials.

I roll the Silhouette mat away from the material as I hold the material down on my work surface.

If you roll the Silhouette mat at a sharp angle, it helps the adhesive release from the material. By rolling the mat away at a sharper angle, you are applying less force to the adhesive, then lifting the material off the mat.
This will help the adhesive stay on the mat versus transferring to the material.

Clean any debris from materials off the mat.

Debris on the mat of any kind, means that the material cannot adhere to the adhesive in that location. This can cause mis-cuts or movement in the materials when cutting.

After I’ve taken off the larger pieces of my project, I will roll the mat to release other debris on the mat. Any smaller pieces, I use a Silhouette spatula to carefully help remove debris off the mat.

Check out this video HERE on another tool that I have found that I LOVE!

Clean the mat if needed.

A good quality lint roller brush can be used to help lift debris off the mat.
Don’t use a cheap one – I tried with an Ikea roller and the paper just stuck to the mat.

Do NOT wash the mats with liquid. Updated 2024 – the Silhouette cutting mats are a water soluble adhesive. This means that water will dissolve the adhesive on the cutting mat and remove it.

Buy Silhouette cutting mats from an authorized Silhouette retailer.

Flip the mat around.

The mat can go in the machine 2 ways, arrow in or arrow out. On the newer Silhouette cutting mat, there is an arrow on both ends.

If one side of the mat is well used, flip the mat around and use it the other direction.
The mat does have a specific dimension and is not uniform on all sides, so it can only be loaded into the machine 2 ways and still have the grid spacing line up correctly.

Be gentle and have patience.

I know this is not what you want to hear, but if you are rushed then you are more likely to tear the project or pull the adhesive off the mat.
A new mat can gripe the material very well, this can mean it is harder to remove.
Yes, it can be frustrating but you will get it.
The more you practice, the more you will find the ways that work well.
But, even as an experienced user, if I rush, I end up with bigger issues.

Keep an extra mat on hand.

When all else fails. Get a new Silhouette cutting mat and try it.

There are many times that I have felt my mat was still sticky enough but after so much frustration, I tried a new mat and magically, it cut beautifully.
Especially when cutting cardstock, a good sticky mat is needed to hold all the pieces of the cardstock in place when it is cutting, or it may not connect the cut cleanly.

Cut without a mat

Any lined material such as adhesive vinyl or HTV can be cut without a mat because you are not cutting completely through the material.
This can take some practice and does require adjusting a few things to get a good cut.
Check out this post on Cutting without a Mat.

These cutting without a mat tips will apply to all Silhouette cutting machines except the Curio. The Silhouette Curio is a little different in that it needs a base loaded in the machine & is limited in the cutting space it has because of the platform system.

I hope these tips help you get the most out of your Silhouette cutting mat!
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Enjoy !

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