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How to Design a Frame and Text Scrapbook Layout in Silhouette Studio

Silhouette Studio, Silhouette tutorial, frame, text, scrapbook layout
Today I'm answering a reader question on the blog about how to design and cut a 12x12 scrapbook layout with frames and text in Silhouette Studio.  The basic thing you need to keep in mind when designing with frames is that in order to weld them today and/or weld them with text, you must make the frame compound paths. 

Let's get started by opening up Silhouette Studio.

Use the draw a box tool on the left sidebar to draw a box in the work area. Draw it whatever size you'd like...you can always resize later.

Silhouette Studio, Silhouette tutorial, frame, text, scrapbook layout, draw a box

Now select the box and click on the offset tool (in blue along the top below). You can either make an offset or an internal offset it doesn't really matter.  I like squared off frames so I picked 'corner' and then adjusted the offset distance..then hit 'apply.'

Silhouette Studio, Silhouette tutorial, frame, text, scrapbook layout, offset tool

Right now you basically just have a box on top of a larger box. The easiest way for me to show you this is by filling in the boxes (and slightly moving the top box for demonstration purposes only!)  These boxes are NOT a compound path...therefore they are not a frame. They are just layered boxes.

Silhouette Studio, Silhouette tutorial, frame, text, scrapbook layout

But if I select both of the boxes at the same time and then make a compound path (right click > make compound path) they become a frame (with a hollowed out middle area).

Silhouette Studio, Silhouette tutorial, frame, text, scrapbook layout, make compound path

Silhouette Studio, Silhouette tutorial, frame, text, scrapbook layout, compound path

Once they've become a compound path I can weld into the boxes or weld several boxes together. That's exactly what I want to do to make this frame layout.  Now that I've made the first box I can duplicate it a few times by copying and pasting. Then I just resized each of the frames and put them into position.  Don't weld yet...

Silhouette Studio, Silhouette tutorial, frame, text, scrapbook layout

Add your text.  Whenever possible I like to have my text welded together. Now there are a few ways to get around this if you have letters like the S and 'ummer' where it's cutting as two pieces.

Silhouette Studio, Silhouette tutorial, frame, text, scrapbook layout

For instance, I moved the characters closer together in "LOVIN'. Since they will now cut as one word, I just made sure they would weld to both the side and bottom frames and the 'ummer' and that allows my entire design to cut as one piece once welded.

Silhouette Studio, Silhouette tutorial, frame, text, scrapbook layout

To weld I simple select the entire design > right click > weld. 

When I fill this with color again it's easy to see that the entire design has a single cut line around it. If it didn't, the area that was not welded would not fill in.

Silhouette Studio, Silhouette tutorial, frame, text, scrapbook layout, weld

Finally, I do just want to show you what would happen if I had NOT made the frames a compound paths before welding them together and with the text. See the problem?!  And see why compound paths aren't just there to confuse you..they actually do serve a purpose. :)

Silhouette Studio, Silhouette tutorial, frame, text, scrapbook layout

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine! 

Thanks for coming to class today at Silhouette School.  If you like what you see, I'd love for you to pin it!


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