How to Import Photos to Silhouette Studio To Use as Fill Patterns (3 Easy Steps)

You can import photos into Silhouette Studio and use the photo to fill a shape in just a few easy steps.

silhouette 101, silhouette america blog, silhouette studio v4, patterns, photos

Importing photos to Silhouette Studio through the Patterns folder allows you the greatest control including cropping photos in Silhouette Studio, filling other shapes with the image and printing and cutting photos.

When you import an image as a pattern it will show up in the Fill Patterns tool...but how do you get it there?

To import your own custom patterns whether that's a photo or a seamless digital pattern or background you will need Silhouette Studio Designer Edition or higher.

1. Add New Patterns to the Fill Patterns Folder in Silhouette Studio

Start by opening your Silhouette Studio Library and locating the Patterns folder.

silhouette studio v4, patterns, photos, silhouette software, patterns and backgrounds

NOTE: To organize patterns and photos in Silhouette Studio you have the option to create sub folders. Right click and then select "New Folder."

silhouette studio v4, patterns, photos, silhouette software, digital patterns

Take the photo from your hard drive or wherever it is on your computer and drag and drop it directly into the Patterns folder (or a sub folder you created within the Patterns folder).

A thumbnail preview of the imported photo will display in the preview panel of the Patterns folder or sub folder where you dropped it.

2. How to Fill a Shape with a Photo in Silhouette Studio

Go back to the Design area of Silhouette Studio and open the Fill panel.

Click the Patterns tab and scroll down under the default patterns. Your photo will be there.

Now you can use the photo to fill a shape in Silhouette Studio!

Try it...use the Draw an Ellipse Tool to draw out a circle or oval.

Keep the shape selected and from the Patterns panel click the photo you just imported and it will fill the shape.

3. How to Adjust Photo Within Shape in Silhouette Studio

Expand the Advanced Options on the Fill Patterns panel to open the scaling, panning, and angle tools which will allow you to manipulate the photo within the shape.

And that's how easy it is to fill a shape with a photo or imported pattern in Silhouette Studio!

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!

Get Silhouette School lessons delivered to your email inbox! Select Once Daily or Weekly.

Subscribe Here!

1 comment

jkOctober 7, 2021 at 6:48 AM
This is great for ones you want to reuse. But just lately I've discovered for one-offs, all you have to do is drag the image from your computer over the shape and the fill tools are still available to manipulate it.

Thanks for leaving a comment! We get several hundred comments a day. While we appreciate every single one of them it's nearly impossible to respond back to all of them, all the time. So... if you could help me by treating these comments like a forum where readers help readers.

In addition, don't forget to look for specific answers by using the Search Box on the blog. If you're still not having any luck, feel free to email me with your question.