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Silhouette FAQs: Help for Beginners, Troubleshooting, and More!

Answers to the most common beginner Silhouette CAMEO FAQs! Click on the links below

  1. I’m new to Silhouette where do I start? 

    We think the best place to start when you're a Silhouette CAMEO beginner is on Silhouette School - specifically the New? Start Here section!  Since January 2014, Silhouette School Blog has been providing free Silhouette CAMEO tutorials (and Portrait tutorials), Silhouette CAMEO projects, honest Silhouette product reviews, and much more!  Silhouette School isn't an actual "school", but an online resource providing free Silhouette help.
  2. How do I cut a JPEG (trace an image) with Silhouette? 

    In order to cut with your Silhouette machine, you need cut lines. You can create cut lines on JPEGS by tracing.  Tracing is necessary when you import a file into Silhouette Studio that is not specifically set up as a cut file. This could be  a photo, a PNG file that you purchased from a design shop, your company's logo or jpeg image you downloaded. Please remember and respect copyrights - you can not legally take any ol' image and trace it.  But let's say you purchase a commercial use design and you don't have Silhouette Studio Designer Edition which means you need to use the PNG file that's offered or you downloaded a jpeg from the creative commons, here are the steps for learning to trace in Silhouette Studio. 
  3. What are the features of the Silhouette Studio Software Upgrades (Designer Edition, Designer Edition Plus, Business Edition)? 

    I get asked all the time - is Silhouette Studio Designer Edition worth the upgrade? What features are included with Silhouette Studio Business Edition vs Designer Edition?  Does the highest upgrade include the features of the others?  Check out this easy to read list of features, tutorials, and FAQs about all of the Silhouette Studio upgrades.
  4. What’s the difference between vinyl and HTV and when do I use each? 

    Not sure which type of vinyl to use for your project, no problem! Between the numbers, the finishes, and the adhesive types it can be super confusing and overwhelming to figure out the best type of vinyl for your Silhouette CAMEO projects. This post will explain everything you need to know about vinyl vs heat transfer vinyl (HTV).
  5. Where can I find free designs for Silhouette? 

    There are many places to find free Silhouette designs. Silhouette School Blog offers free Silhouette Studio cut files every Friday and you can find the Silhouette School freebies archive here So Fontsy - a font and SVG/PNG design marketplace for die cutters - also offers freebies each week. A new set of free Commercial Use SVG designs for Silhouette (and Cricut) comes out every Friday.
  6. What’s the best heat press for a beginner

    There are many heat presses for beginners to pick from and lots of options to pick from including clam shell swing away. Your budget, storage space, heat press feature needs and technical support needs will all determine the best heat press for you.
  7. What’s the best Silhouette CAMEO bundle

    It can be overwhelming to compare Silhouette CAMEO bundles, but with a quick series of questions, we'll help you narrow it down so you pick the best Silhouette CAMEO 3 bundle.
  8. My Silhouette isn’t cutting correctly, how do I fix it?

    If you're having trouble with your Silhouette CAMEO 3 not cutting there are a few reasons why. Don't worry - you don't need to send the cutting machine back, you just need to know what to look for so you can trouble shoot. The most common cause for the Silhouette CAMEO 3 not cutting or not cutting through is a problem with the blade - specifically the Autoblade. Read More
  9. Print and cut won’t work - how do I troubleshoot? 

    Silhouette Print and Cut is one of the most popular - but intimidating - ways to use the Silhouette cutting machines. When you're having trouble with print and cut it's always a good idea to go back to basics! This Print and Cut with Silhouette CAMEO tutorial for beginners will help you do just that!

    If you're still having trouble after that, check out these 10 troubleshooting tips for fixing Silhouette print and cut.
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3 comments

  1. I bought my Cameo about 4 yr ago, used it once, boxed it for a move and now want to use it again! I have a different computer now, a Mac, where before I loaded the disc onto my PC. I don't have the disc and no disc drive on the Mac anyway.

    I am having trouble loading updated software now on this computer. Here is the version:

    MacOS Sierra
    version 10.12.6

    2.7 GHz Intel Core i5
    8GB Memory
    Startup disc SSD
    Graphics AMD Radeon HD 677OM 512 MB

    Can I access the older software, or should the new updated one work with my computer and Cameo?

    I just can't get the Silhouetter software to open from the download file where it is at.

    Thanks for your help!!

    SHALLINE

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have been trying to cut the quote "memory chair" & have literally wasted so so much vinyl. When I get it to cut, it won't transfer to transfer tape. When I try to do reverse I cannot get a clean cut. Help

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm trying to get answers as to my problem. I have a Cameo 4 for over 3 months & haven't used it but maybe 1or 2 times and wasn't successful!! Can someone call me to help me out? I'm ready to toss this out in the trash, I'm so frustrated!! Here is my problem in the nutshell...I set up my page and everything looks good and it tells me to SEND and I do, then I get a pop up that says PLEASE select an action and tool that are compatable with Craft Foam...I don't even have that as my selection, my selection is Vinyl Glitter. Then it sometimes cuts with Carrige 1 When Its set up for Carriage 2. I wish I could send you pics of what I'm dealing with! PLEASE HELP

    ReplyDelete

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