20 Silhouette Tips, Tricks and Tutorials (August 2020 Wrap Up)

I don't know where August went...but wow it flew by! 

We released the new Portrait 3, the new Silhouette app - Silhouette Go was released in open Beta, and of course we did some amazing projects, tutorials and had some super fun freebies along the way too!

Free Silhouette Design: Stay Humble, Hustle Hard

It's Friday which means it's time for a free Silhouette cut file on Silhouette School.

This week I'm sharing a free workout design with you.

DIY Reusable Tracing and Handwriting Sheets

You can make your own reusable tracing and handwriting sheets to help with virtual learning and home schooling right in Silhouette Studio!

This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own

My secret weapon is clear sticker sheets and sketch fonts!

Mind Blowing New Way to Use Inkjet Starcraft Printable HTV

My love for inkjet printable heat transfer vinyl runs deep and now there's yet another reason why!

We tested transferring a printed pattern onto flocked HTV and it works - opening up the possibilities to make your own patterned flock heat transfer vinyl!  I bet this would work on glitter HTV too!

New Silhouette Mobile App: Silhouette Go Features and First Look

A Silhouette app for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices has been released in open Beta on the same day the new Silhouette Portrait 3 machine went on pre order.

Silhouette Go is the name of the new Silhouette Mobile App which, earlier this year, Silhouette School was first to confirm would be released this fall.  The Silhouette App Silhouette Go is vastly different than the original app Silhouette mobile app which was removed completely in 2019.  

For a first look at the Silhouette Go app and to find out more about the app features and an initial review of the Silhouette Studio app read on... 

Silhouette Mobile App 2020: How to Make Your First Cut with Silhouette Go (Video)

There's a new Silhouette mobile app for iPhone and Android that will allow you to open and cut designs right from the palm of your hand with a Bluetooth Silhouette machine.

This Silhouette tutorial will take you step by step to make your first cut with Silhouette Go, the new Silhouette Studio app.

Order Now: Silhouette Portrait 3 Unboxing! New Features, First Look, & Machine Comparison

The Silhouette Portrait 3 is here and available now available for order and immediate shipping as just the machine and Silhouette Portrait 3 bundles. It's the first new Silhouette machine since the launch of the 15" Silhouette CAMEO Plus in January 2020...but it's NOT expected to be the last of the year.

The third edition new Silhouette Portrait, retailing at $199.99, has a few updates from the previous model of the "mini CAMEO" so read on for the updates to the new Portrait model and a first look...plus info on the new Silhouette mobile app!

Silhouette School eBook SALE: Back to School Learning!

Usually I'd say if your kids are headed back to school this week, it's time to get productive...but with all the virtual learning, I'm not sure how productive any of us can be! Sooooo let's just say it's time for you to learn something NEW too!  It's the annual Silhouette School eBook Sale!! 

I want to help you take advantage of the little crafting time you have by giving you more of that time to actually craft - and less of that time searching for Silhouette help.

Sooo...this year we're putting ALL the Silhouette School ebooks and ebook bundles on sale for $5 OFF!

Beginner Silhouette Pixscan Mat Tutorial for CAMEO 4

The Silhouette Pixcan mat is one of those must-have accessories for your craft room. But how do you use it...and for what?

The Silhouette Pixscan mat is used for two main purposes: to accurately and preciously cut pre-printed materials (like a print and cut for pre-printed materials) and also to sketch, etch or cut with extreme accuracy on very small craft blanks or vinyl scraps.

Free Silhouette Design: Keep Calm Retro Stack

Everyone keep calm...another Freebie Friday has rolled around here at Silhouette School!

Yes, weeks are flying by that fast that we are here with another! And this one...I believe is one we ALL need!

Silhouette Deep Cut Blade Review (And What It Can Cut in CAMEO)

If you're considering the Silhouette Deep Cut Blade for Silhouette CAMEO or Portrait, this review and tutorial will give you a good start including cut settings for otherwise hard to cut materials.

The Silhouette Deep Cut blade can cut materials up to 2mm thick. Those are usually reserved for the Curio, CAMEO 3, Portrait 2 and Silhouette CAMEO 4 which are the machines that have the higher clearance and therefore can cut thicker materials. However I was also able to use the Deep Cut blade with success in my CAMEO 2. This gives you some options if you want to avoid or can't use the Kraft Blade.

Custom Face Masks with HTV the Quick and Easy Way!

Custom face masks are in high demand right now and with a Silhouette CAMEO or Portrait you can easily make them with both HTV or sublimation.

The biggest challenge of adding a sublimation transfer or heat transfer vinyl on face masks is the shape of the mask itself.  I have few tricks that should help you deal with the shape and any seams to get a better press.

How to Make a Border in Silhouette Studio

If you're wondering how to make a border in Silhouette to frame your design, this tutorial will take you through the process step by step.

You don’t need to be a digital design wizard to learn how to outline an image in Silhouette Studio.
The Silhouette Studio software makes it easy for you to create a border around any design or text!

Free Silhouette Design: This Bag Contains My Face

I swear these Fridays keep coming around so quick! But I know you guys love it because that means it's time for another free Silhouette cut file. 

This week we are sharing the cutest design for cosmetic bags!

Cutting and Transferring HTV With No Transfer Sheet (Silhouette Tutorial)

Everything you thought you knew about cutting and transferring heat transfer vinyl goes out the window when you're working with HTV that does not have a transfer sheet.  Most of the time HTV comes with a transfer sheet, but if you're working with specialty or patterned HTV like I was recently with this hunting camo it may not come with a plastic transfer sheet.

The vinyl I was using had a plastic sheet with it, but it was on the back side of the HTV...not covering the front as it usually is if you buy Siser Easyweed.  This presented a few challenges....and so I had to find a few workarounds to deal.

New Silhouette Studio V4.4 Features and Tutorials

Silhouette Studio V4.4 has been released with a set of new Silhouette Studio features.

There are three new features in this version of the software that may tempt you to update including a game changing PNG auto trace feature and a list of bug fixes. However, be aware there are still some outstanding bugs that you should be aware of before you jump in. 

Turn a 3D Layered SVG into a Lighted Shadow Box

3D layered cut files are gaining a lot of popularity with paper crafters. But if you've never used a layered 3D SVG design before it can be a little intimidating.

In this tutorial you'll learn how to convert a layered SVG into a design that really shines in these popular shadow box projects!

New Hobby Heat Presses in Pretty Colors (Plus Heat Press Side Comparison Chart)

If you are looking for a new heat press they are finally here! Long gone are the okay-ish colors that clash with your craft room.

You can now get what I like to refer to them as a "pretty heat press" - that matches not only your craft room but your Silhouette CAMEO machine.

The new 15 x 15" heat presses are exclusively available at Swing Design and come in four colors: white, pink, teal, and coral.