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Using an OttLite Light Box for Weeding Vinyl (Silhouette School Review and Giveaway)

Anyone else guilty of holding their vinyl and HTV up to the light or window at every possible angle to try to get an easier read on where to weed?
Ottlite light box, weeding, vinyl
This is a sponsored post, but as always, all opinions are my own.
Recently I was given the opportunity to test out an OttLite LED Light Box and Task Lamp Station as way to make weeding easier....plus I'm about to make someone's day because I have an extra to give away to one lucky Silhouette School reader!!!

The beauty of any light box is it provides back light or light from under the vinyl/htv, illuminating the cut lines and making it easier to see where to weed and where not to weed.  

Ottlite light box, weeding, vinyl

The OttLite is a simple plug and play LED lighting tool, with three brightness settings, that goes on with the touch of a button....but would it work for vinyl and HTV?

To test it, I cut the same design, in the same size on three different types of vinyl - glitter htv, smooth htv and adhesive vinyl  - to see how the OttLite LED Light Box might help with weeding.  In order to really put it to the test, I specifically picked a very intricate feather and sized it to just 3.75" x .975 inches in Silhouette Studio. I did this intentionally knowing some of the cut areas would be very small and difficult to see while weeding.

Here's how the cut vinyl looked after it was cut - with no back lighting.

Ottlite light box, weeding, vinyl

When I turned on the OttLite's LED light the cut lines for the adhesive vinyl became very clear with even the lowest light setting.  This made weeding very easy despite such a tiny, intricate design.  Definitely a huge difference from when the light was off.

Ottlite light box, weeding, vinyl

Glitter HTV is notorious for being difficult to weed.  Here's what the feather looked like cut, but with no back light.  I promise you the design is cut into the htv. :)

Ottlite light box, weeding, vinyl

Even on the OttLite Light Box it was still difficult to see cut lines in the glitter htv. The issue, I believe, is the thickness of the material and the clear backing.

Ottlite light box, weeding, vinyl

However, when I slightly bent the glitter HTV the weeding lines became much easier to see while on the light box.

Ottlite light box, weeding, vinylFinally, the smooth HTV was put to the test.  Here's what the cut lines looked like while I was attempting to weed with no special lighting.

Ottlite light box, weeding, vinyl

Turning the OttLite on definitely helped. The LED light box proved more effective with the HTV than with the glitter htv, but didn't make the cut lines quite as obviously as the adhesive vinyl.  Again, I think this has more to do with the paper vs clear backing as opposed to the light itself.

As you can imagine, it's extremely difficult to photograph the material on the OttLite, but in this photo you can clearly see the cut lines are much more obvious while being back lit by the LED Light Box.


Ottlite light box, weeding, vinyl


Keep in mind how just small this design is while you watch me weed - in 4x speed - this HTV design on the OttLite.   I apologize my hand is in the way part of the time.


The other thing I found useful is the light box can be flipped around and used as a task lamp. This is also beneficial in helping to see weeding lines especially on adhesive vinyl and smooth HTV.

Ottlite light box, weeding, vinyl


The OttLite LED Light Box and Tool Task Station is sold Hobby Lobby stores or through  JoAnn Fabrics' online store in the US and Canada.


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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100 comments

  1. Wow, what a great product. I am new to vinyl and this would work perfect for weeding.

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  2. This is so awesome! I love the fact that you have a two in one since often you need both an under and over light!!

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  3. Sounds like a really great way to help weed out vinyl. Thanks for a chance to win.

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  4. I can see where this would be very handy to aid in weeding HTV.

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  5. What an awesome tool to have for weeding! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  6. I've had my eye on this light bicmx for a while now... Would love to win it to speed up the weeding process!!

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  7. I craft in a small area and am also looking for multifunctional items. This is a good one!

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  8. I've been wanting to see how one of these lights would help with weeding. I think I definitely need one now! This would be especially helpful with weeding dark colors.

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  9. This would be such a fantastic tool for weeding especially since the home I currently live in is a cave! Plus I could weed while watching tv ;)

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  10. I've been thinking about getting a light box. Thanks for the review.

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  11. Thanks for the giveaway. It would definitely help me weeding at nighttime. I need sunlight from a window to see how to weed and that is impossible at night.

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  13. An Ottlite LED box would be so helpful! I wear bifocals and it is always so hard for me to see the weed lines. I have to look so close and put it up to my computer screen. I had bought a light with a magnifier with it, but the magnifier makes my eyes cross. lol And then by the time I am done everything is so blurry and I can't see good, even up close. Thank you for the review and the giveaway. Love your blog by the way. I learn so much from it. I find myself going back to it and your ebook, which I bought when I first got my cameo. It is so very helpful! Thank you so much for putting all of that together! :)

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  14. I could absolutely use one of these light boxes! Not only could I use it for weeding vinyl, I could use it for tracing patterns for embroidery and hand sewing. And, by flipping it around, it would make an excellent light source for crafting (embroidery, beading, sewing, Lino block cutting, etc.). What a great multi-purpose tool!

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  15. I want to win this! Joann.com does not have any. -Jamie L.

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  16. This would be much easier than holding it up to the window (my current method). Thanks for the chance to win one!

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  17. I would love to have one of these lights!!! I have priced them and they are way out of my price range. I have slight vision problems that can make crafting a challenge sometimes. I know this would help immensely and be much safer than a naked 100 watt light bulb lol.

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  18. Someone is going to be lucky, shame I live in UK. I think it is a great idea and much better than the old light boxes, also better than my old daylight bulb in my lamp.

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  19. weeding is so much easier for sure but tracing a design element would be great too.

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  20. Wanted a light box for years... Would be great for making screen print stencils and other cool stuff!

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  21. Thank you for your generosity. This seems to make things much easier.

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  22. This would be an amazing piece of equipment to make the weeding process go much smoother and quicker.

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  23. It would greatly help in weeding my vinyl projects.

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  24. Joann's NOR Hobby Lobby have them, even tho the Ottlite website says they do. Are they not released yet? Would LOVE to win this, but am being realistic since I never win anything! haha Just trying to find it available online somewhere. Any ideas?

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  25. I would use it to weed vinyl or to transfer embroidery designs onto fabric! The table lamp feature is great too!

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  26. I need this to weed vinyl. Weeding glitter vinyl is a nightmare!

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  27. OK, my comment from the Raffle Copter will probably post before I even finish this, but... We are just starting our embroidery and heat press business, and weeding is more difficult than we thought it would be after watching so many videos that made it look so easy. I think an Ott Light Box would be the perfect addition to get us started right. It might even come in handy for those times I have to pick out stitches or tiny pieces of stabilizer out of my embroidery.

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  28. This would be wonderfully useful! I have Fuch's dystrophy and have a very hard time seeing contrast. This would be amazing for my eyes. Weeding is very challenging!

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  29. Being a newbie I found weeding almost impossible when I started, this would surely help out. Thank you for sharing.

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  30. The ott lite is the best light for the print and cut and reg marks.

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  31. I love my Ottlite and this light box would be wonderful! As I get older, I find that I need more light, and the Ottlite provides the perfect amount. Weeding would be so much easier with a light box, especially one with the quality of Ottlite!

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  32. I would use it for weeding vinyl,but I would probably use it more for tracing sewing patterns.

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  33. I would love to use this for tracing projects as well as weeding vinyl!

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  34. I'm older and my eyes don't work as well as they used to; this would be so helpful for me.

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  35. This would be great for weeding vinyl. Even with my glasses, I sometimes have difficulty seeing the lines.

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  36. These old eyes would appreciate this box! Lol

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  37. Wow the ott light box loos perfect for lots of crafting areas I use several ottlite lamps in my home thanks for the chance to win

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  38. I could really use this new OttLite Box. I just had my cataracts done in both eyes and I chose to see far away. Dah! I'm a crafter. That was a huge mistake! I now use granny glasses to see close up and seeing those weeding lines have been so hard for me now. This would be a huge help. Also, the flip light on the top would work for so any items. I would love one of these. It would be such a blessing! Thanks for that chance to win.
    Kathy U:)
    kathy21361@yahoo.com

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  39. I would find this so useful for tracing things!

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  40. I am blind in one eye and have some minor difficulties weeding small/intricate items. I have an Ott light for my workstation and am always trying to get maximum light to see. The Ott Light box would help me tremendously!!!

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  41. I would love this to use for weeding and other crafts. I have cataracts starting and it makes it so difficult to see! Having bright light is very helpful.

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  42. I can't find my light table, but it pales in comparison to this one. Thank you for the chance to win!

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  43. I love OttLite's but did not know they had a litebox. Way cool. I have about 10 ott's in my house.

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    1. A lite box is awesome for tracing and would be awesome for Bible Journaling.

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  45. The lighting in my work are is bad. So a lightbox would help!

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  46. This is SOOOOO mega cool! Very nice for old eyes. ;-)

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  47. What a great way to weed those little pieces! no more squinting the eyes! Thanks for the chance.

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  48. What a nice prize.. Life would be so much easier.. Good luck everyone.

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  49. This looks like a great product! I am big into needlecraft as well and I can see that it would be a lifesaver when transferring patterns onto fabric and the fact that it lifts up would be great for intricate stitches. This is a very versatile product that could be used for a wide range of crafty fun! Thanks for letting us know about it and for the chance to win!

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  50. I just had cataract surgery on both eyes, and now I'm getting used to being very farsighted. This would be a real blessing to keep me crafting and sewing for many years yet!

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  51. I would use this light for weeding all my vinyl!

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  52. Oh, this would make weeding so much easier!

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  53. Besides weeding, I would use this for tracing, sewing, and jewelry making.

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  54. What a great tool! Thanks for the opportunity to win it!

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  55. I love your blog and I love OttLites

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  56. My silhouette vinyl projects of course. Thanks for the opportunity to win. I hope I win! I hope I win! I hope I win!

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  57. This would be great to win! I love your blog and I'm learning so much from Silhouette School!

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  58. An OttLite Light Box would help me with ensuring my foray into Silhouette crafting would be more of a success than a flop!

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  59. Weeding is so hard for me because of limited vision so having a lightbox would definitely make it easier to do, instead of having to have DH do it for me

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  60. The Ottlite LED Light Box will help in my poorly lit work area!

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  61. I never knew ottlite had so many items to offer. I really need this lite box...not just for weeding but for many things. I am currently using one of the kids very old lion king light box and it does not work well for me.

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  62. This would be great for added light when I do my crafts this would make it so easy to do thanks for the chance to win!

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  63. I have 2 Ott Lites and I love them...I had no idea they made a light box. Another craft item to add to my wish list <3
    Smiles, DianeM

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  64. How awesome! This would be perfect for helping me with my tiny mini patterns! Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
    Erin

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  65. I wouldn't have to have two lights going :) Would be perfect to weed vinyl and HTV! Thanks for all your great tips!! And the giveaway!

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  66. This would be so great to have. I have limited space and wear bifocals so the light would work wonders for weeding. Thank you for the opportunity.

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  67. Any idea when this will be available to purchase? I couldn't find it on Hobby Lobby or Joann's website. I so oould have used this last night on a project I was working on!! :)

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  68. What a great tool! Thanks for the opportunity to win it! Thanks for share.

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  69. The Ottlite LED Light Box made me sastified so far.

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  70. Thanks for the share, it looks like a great product. Would love to win.

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  71. This looks like it would be a great help with weeding. Love it!

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  72. I could use this so for so many projects! Excited for a chance to win! Thanks! :)

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  73. I use an OTT light for quilting,this box is amazing. I need to get one of those.

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  74. What a great idea. Thanks for the wonderful tip. That looks like a wonderful light box.

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  75. Wow, love how it can be flipped up as overhead lighting as well!!

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  76. I am 55 years old and needless to say don't have the best vision. This would be amazing to have in my craft room to make weeding vinyl easier

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  77. I am 55 years old and needless to say my eyesite is not the greatest! This would make weeding vinyl SO much easier and be a welcome addition to my craft room

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  78. I will definitely putting this on my pintrest wish list for Christmas/Birthday. I love having tools that making crafty easier and faster.

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  79. This would make me getting-older-eyes SO happy! :) can't wait to try it out!

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  80. What a great giveaway!

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  81. This would make me soooo very very happy

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  82. I love this light table/task light. Such a great idea, a multi tasking tool. Thanks for this opportunity to win one!

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  83. I need one of those. Should would help these old eyes of mine. It's going on my birthday list.

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  84. I love the Ott Lite light box,Thanks you for the chance to win one.
    Blessings Jocelan

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  85. With a house that has terrible lighting throughout... this would be a game changer

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  86. I am a newbie must have one! Thanks!

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  87. Love this thank you for the review. I will be getting one of these this year.

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  88. Any help to speed up the weeding process would be greatly appreciated!.Gracias

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  89. After using this awesome machine for 12+ years maybe it is time for one of these beauties!!! Thanks for the opportunity!!❤

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