How to Separate Layers in xTool Creative Space (XCS) | Tracing PNG Files

If you're trying to convert a PNG file to a laser engraving file in xTool Creative Space it's easier than you may think. 

This is my FREE Video of the Month for August!

The full step-by-step video walking through everything below is free to watch all month long, no membership needed. In September it moves into the members-only library, so grab it now while it's free.

Watch the FREE Video of the Month here

Since PNG files are flat without vectorizing and separating the layers it's not possible to assign different processing types (cut, engrave, score) to different parts of the designs. 

That's why separating layers is important so you can apply different processes to individual layers. Read on to learn about separate a PNG file in XCS using the tracing tool. 

DTF Transfer Pricing: How to Know What Your Transfers Actually Cost to Print

Knowing how to price your DTF transfers is the difference between losing money and actually making a profit. 

DTF transfer pricing feels like a guessing game wondering how much ink did a specific design actually use? How much film? When you have no real idea you just kind of guess and hope it covers it...because that's what your competitors are charging, anyway. 

I'm here to tell you - you do not have to guess and you should KNOW your costs. A lot of DTF rip softwares will even tell you exactly what a single transfer costs in supplies before you even hit print. 

Let me show you how to find that number and turn it into a real price.

xTool M2 Review: What's Actually Included (and What's Not) (Video)

The xTool M2 is marketed as a "Color Craft Laser," but the advertised $549-$599 price doesn't actually include color printing. 

Here's what's really in the box, what it costs to add the pieces that make it live up to its name, and how it stacks up against the M1 Ultra.

Why You Can't Cut the Edge of Your Silhouette Design: V5 Send Panel

Did you ever go to the Send panel and tell Silhouette Studio to cut the edge of your design and it cuts all the internal areas too?  

Your software is not broken and you did not do anything wrong.  The issue is your design is a compound path.  Not sure what a compound path is - I got over it in detail here. 

Let me show you exactly what is happening and how to fix it so you are able to cut only the edge of your design.

If I Had To Stir It Its Homemade Freebie Friday Silhouette Cut File

Happy Friday! And with that here at Silhouette School, it's time for another Freebie!

This week I have one for all of my kitchen crafters - If I Had To Stir It, It's Homemade!

How to Prevent Sublimation from Bleeding Through Shirts

Don't let sublimation bleed through or unwanted ink transfer ruin your project or your heat press! 

In this post, we share a super simple tip for preventing sublimation ink from bleeding through your projects.

Silhouette Cameo vs UV Printer: What's the Difference and Do You Need Both?

What if you could give up cutting and weeding HTV and vinyl completely and still make full color stickers and shirt designs? 

There's a whole category of machine that skips all of that. No cutting, no weeding, no layering.  You just print your full color design, and it's ready to go. 

That's UV printing. And once you understand what it does, you might never look at weeding the same way again. Let me show you exactly what I mean. 

EufyMake E1 White Ink Not Printing? Here's How to Actually Check (Video)

If you print on white surfaces with your EufyMake E1, your white ink could already be failing and you'd have no idea. 

It's only once you switch to a dark surface or a UV sticker that the problem finally shows up. Here's how to run a quick test print and know for sure.

23 Silhouette School Tutorials You May Have Missed In July 2026

Just like that, July is over and another month is in the books!

This past month was packed full of crafting tutorials and lots of helpful info!

Pencil Split Monogram Freebie Friday Silhouette Cut File

Happy Friday! I can not believe July is already over and summer vacation is coming to an end.  

With back to school season right around the corner, this week's design is right on time!

DTF vs UV DTF: What is the Difference? (It's More Than You Think!)

Are you confused about the differences between DTF and UV DTF printing? 

You are not alone! They sound almost identical, they're both called "DTF," and they both make full color transfers with no cutting and no weeding. But they go on completely different things, and they are not interchangeable.

In this blog post I'll explain the difference between DTF vs UV DTF, including how and when each of these types of transfers can be used.