Best Engraving Tool for Silhouette CAMEO 4: Metal Sheets Engraving Tutorial

Did you know you can get a deep engraving with your Silhouette CAMEO 4 - even on metal? 

This is a sponsored blog post but all opinions are my own

The trick is all in the engraving tool, the metal sheets, the cutting mat and of course the settings. Lucky for you I have found the perfect combination of all four to get the best engraving with CAMEO 4. 

How to Engrave with Silhouette CAMEO 4 and Zoom Precision Etching Tool (Video)

I get asked a lot if it's possible to etch or engrave with the Silhouette CAMEO 4. 

This is a sponsored blog post, but all opinions are my own

There were tools that fit in the CAMEO 3 that allowed for engraving and etching, but they're harder to find for the newer model Silhouette CAMEO. 

I recently came across the the Zoom Precision 3-in-1 etching tool on Amazon. It not only includes three different size tips, but also several metal blanks to get started and ...it fits perfectly into the Silhouette CAMEO 4's tool carriage with the need for any type of adapter. 

Beginner Glass Etching Tutorial with Silhouette Stencil

Did you know you can use etching cream on glass dishes so they're safe for the microwave and oven?

This etching glass tutorial will walk you through exactly how to cut a Silhouette stencil and go about etching pyrex glassware.

How to Make a Reverse Stencil in Silhouette Studio

You can turn pretty much any SVG into a stencil by creating a reverse stencil. 

What is a reverse stencil? A reverse stencil is where you change the part of your design that will be painted or etched. 

With a reverse stencil, also called a mask, you are creating a stencil where you are painting/etching the area outside and around the SVG design - not the design itself.  This tutorial will explain how to create a reverse stencil in Silhouette Studio.

How to Etch on Slate (Video)

Ever wonder how to etch on slate coasters, a plaque or a cheese or cutting board? It's really actually very easy! 

In this tutorial I'll show you how to use Armor Etch to etch on slate in just a few quick steps! 

How to Make Reusable Handwriting Tracing Sheets from Cutting Mats (Sketching or Etching)

Recently we posted how to create DIY Reusable Tracing and Handwriting Sheets using clear sticker paper. Well, now here are 2 more ways to create them - this time using thin plastic cutting mats!  

This tutorial can be done with any of the Silhouette machines but I am using a Silhouette CAMEO 4 in this example.

How to Etch Acetate Sheets with Silhouette CAMEO (Plus Best Cut Settings)

If you're looking to add something a little extra - yet - subtle to your next Silhouette project you may want to try out etching acetate sheets.

I love etching acetate to use for framed picture overlays, invitations, cards or other Silhouette paper projects.

How to Make Etched Glass Mock Ups in Silhouette Studio

Making mock ups in Silhouette Studio for vinyl and heat transfer vinyl is super easy and we've shared many Silhouette mock up tutorials.

But what about if you need an etched glass or etched glass vinyl mock up? That's doable too!

Glass Etching Tips: 5 Ways to Get a Better Etch

Lots of Silhouette users use their machines to cut stencils to etch glass. But lots of crafters also struggle with getting a consistent and even etch that doesn't come with bubbles which cause bleeds. 

So today as a follow up to my original tutorial on How to Etch Glass 101 I thought I'd share a few tips and tricks that I've picked up along the way to get a better etch.

Etching and Embossing on Foil Sticker Paper with Silhouette CAMEO

We talk a lot about making stickers with Silhouette CAMEO and Portrait on Silhouette School - but today I wanted to show you a variation on the traditional print and cut stickers.

This is a sponsored post but all opinions are my own.

I was playing around with some printable gold foil sticker paper from Online Labels when I had this light bulb moment thinking...I bet I could etch - or even emboss - on these sheets. Sure enough...it was a huge success.

Note: This tutorial is from 2017 and the screenshots show Silhouette Studio V3. The technique works exactly the same in V5 - the panels have just been restyled and moved. The sticker paper hasn't changed at all, which is sort of the point.

Solid Fill Etching with Silhouette CAMEO or Curio

If you've ever etched metal blanks with your Silhouette CAMEO or Curio you know you can get a nice etch outline...but what if you want to fill in that etch?!

 

I'm so excited to have Bethany from Board and Batten Design Co. here on the blog today sharing the secret to getting a solid etch fill...while making sure it's perfectly centered on the blank!

Free Silhouette Cut Files: Set of Eat Drink and Be Merry and Thankful Designs

It's Friday and you know what that means around here...it means I have a two free Silhouette Studio cut file for you!

This week I've teamed up with Silhouette U contributing designer Mary Carol from Miss Mary's Embroidery to bring you not one, but two free designs!

(Permanent) Gilded Etched Glass Vase: Silhouette Tutorial

Hi, Silhouette School Students! Melissa's enjoying her time in Barcelona this week so she asked me to help teach the class while she's gone.  I'm Rachel from Architecture of a Mom and I'm super excited to be your substitute teacher today with this fun Gilded Etched Glass Vase.

The last time I was here, I taught you to etch regular ceramic tiles using a silhouette to make fun tile coasters.

This time of year, I'm still thinking of etching techniques--etched glass makes a classic gift for teachers for teachers appreciation, and it makes a great gift at Mother's Day and Father's Day, too.

One of my favorite projects I made with etching is my modern hexagon monogram vase. But sometimes, I wish that etched glass was a little less subtle. That's why I came up with this technique that I call gilded etched glass...and with your Silhouette, it's a pretty easy technique and it gives the looked of metal.

Here's what you need:

Silhouette Cameo or Portrait and Computer

Indoor Vinyl

Transfer paper (optional)

Silhouette tools (hook, spatula, scraper)

Glass item to etch

Etching cream

Paper towels

Liquid Gilding

First, select a pattern or design and open in Silhouette Studio. I selected one that was a freebie one week from the Silhouette Design Store.

Delete any portions of the design you don't want to etch by right clicking > ungroup > delete. I've found that simpler seems to be better when etching--it's easier to make sure all parts of your design are pressed down on the item you are etching.

Cut your design out using indoor vinyl (aka 631/matte). You can also use stencil vinyl.

Weed using the hook and spatula tools. Make sure you weed out the area that you want to be gilded. It's also a good idea to leave yourself a decent size border so the vinyl protects the glass you don't want etched.

Then clean your glass item (my item is this square vase) using rubbing alcohol. Allow to dry.

Apply your vinyl (use transfer paper as needed) and make sure there are no bubbles with your scraper. Any bubbles may allow the etching cream to seep under the vinyl and ruin your design.

Before you put on the liquid gilding, you are going to apply etching cream with the scraper tool. You want it thick enough that you can't see the design.

Allow the etching cream to sit on the glass according to the etching cream directions, and then remove the cream first by scraping off the cream with scraper and then wiping all remnants off with a wet paper towel. Be careful because you want to keep the vinyl on your glass for the next step.

With the vinyl still on the glass, apply liquid gilding to the etched glass. Allow to dry and then apply a second coat if needed for even coverage.

Remove the vinyl once the gilding is dry and enjoy the elegance of gilding with the permanence of etching. I also love how the design stands out more on the glass than regular etching.

You may wonder why I didn't just apply the gilding onto the glass with a vinyl stencil and call it done. The reason is that like most paints, it will not stay on glass if just applied straight to glass. I was able to remove liquid gilding from regular glass with very little effort. But if you etch glass and then apply gilding, it becomes permanent...not even glass cleaner has removed it from this vase.

Just a note--I wouldn't place the gliding at the top of a glass or on a surface that will be in contact with food, and I'd only wash a gilded item by hand, just in case.

If you like this project, I'd love for you to come check me out at Architecture of a Mom. You can find many of my projects using my Silhouette Portrait on my Silhouette Projects page, but my favorites are my etched glass tile coasters and a Boba Fett custom t-shirt I made for my husband.

I hope you come visit me at Architecture of a Mom! Thanks so much to Melissa for letting me sub here at Silhouette School!



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!

Engraving with Silhouette: 7 Tips to the Perfect Engraving

 

I have never been so excited to share a Silhouette tutorial with you. Not only have I been working on perfecting this engraving process for a week now, but I've quite literally tried dozens of combinations of settings and tools until I finally figured out the best way to get a clean, legible, centered, and (relatively) deep engraving.

How to Etch Tiles to Make Custom Coasters (Silhouette Tutorial)

I'm still on vacation and so I'm thrilled to welcome yet another sub to Silhouette School! Meet my fellow-Portrait user...Rachel from Architecture of a Mom.  

Hi Silhouette School Students! My name is Rachel and I can typically be found over at Architecture of a Mom. I'm an architect and a mom, and I write about crafts, recipes, and raising 3 little girls, two of whom are twin preschoolers!

Since I'm so addicted to using my Silhouette Portrait, Melissa asked me to substitute teach here at the Silhouette School and share an amazing technique (at least to my simple mind) using your silhouette and etching cream. Did you know that you can etch tile with etching cream? That's what I did to make these awesome nautical tile coasters.

I'll pause a minute and repeat while that sinks in. You can etch tile with etching cream, not just glass.