How To Clean Cutting Mats and Silhouette Blades

If your Silhouette cutting mats and blades are in need of a little cleaning you can extend the life of them and get better cuts by cleaning them. 

In this tutorial I'll share how to make Silhouette mats sticky again and clean your blades - but with that said just know cleaning is usually a temporary solution and you may still need to replace your mats and blades to get the best cuts. 

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. 

Silhouette CAMEO Hack: Self Weeding HTV Designs!

Cutting distressed fonts and designs on HTV can be a real challenge to weed.

I recently had this epiphany moment realizing I could actually force the distressed areas to self weed when cutting with my Silhouette machine. And the best part is this works on Mandala designs as well!

Silhouette CAMEO 1, CAMEO 2, and Portrait 1: Tools and Machine Compatibility Series

Not sure which tools can be used in your older model Silhouette CAMEO or original Portrait 1? 

Let's get to the bottom of tool compatibility for the Silhouette CAMEO 1, CAMEO 2, and Portrait. 

Silhouette CAMEO 3 Tools and Machine Compatibility

Not sure which tools will work in your Silhouette CAMEO 3? No worries I've got you covered. 

With the new Silhouette CAMEO 4 having different tools than the CAMEO 3, it can be confusing to know which tools work in which machine. This Silhouette tutorial will explain which Silhouette tools are compatible with the Silhouette CAMEO 3...and in which carriage. 

New Silhouette CAMEO 4 Tools Coming

Three new Silhouette CAMEO 4 tools are coming...along with the introduction of a new Silhouette tool naming and compatibility "system". 

The new Silhouette tools are expected to be available later this year and will not only fit in the CAMEO 4, but also in the 15" Silhouette CAMEO Plus, CAMEO Pro, and Portrait 3. 

Free Faux Leather Earring Template and Secret to Easier Cutting on Silhouette

It seems you can't have enough faux leather earring templates...so why not one more especially when it's free!

And how about a trick that will make cutting earrings with Silhouette even easier?

How to Cut Craft Foam with Silhouette 2mm Kraft Blade (Cut Settings)

It's now easier than ever to cut Craft Foam with your Silhouette machine...and you don't even need to have a CAMEO 4!

The new 2mm Silhouette Kraft Blade cuts Craft Foam like butter and I have the perfect cut settings for you.

Pre-Order CAMEO 4 Tools! FAQs on Silhouette Rotary Blade, Kraft Blade, Punch Tool and Pen Adapters!

The Silhouette CAMEO 4 specialty tools and blades are now available for pre-order and will be start shipping in November!

But there have been a lot of questions about the CAMEO 4 Kraft blade, Silhouette Rotary Blade, Punch Tool and Pen Holder so today I'm going to try answer them!

Silhouette CAMEO 4 Adapters Explained: Which Adapter for Which Tool

The Silhouette CAMEO 4 comes with not only the new Autoblade, but four tool adapters.

The adapters are needed so tools and blades designs for the Silhouette CAMEO 3 and other older machines can be used in the CAMEO 4.

Silhouette Blades...Which Blade to Use When, Why, How?

I get a lot of questions about which Silhouette CAMEO Blade is best to use...there's not one standard answer as it will all depend on the type of material you're cutting, the design, and the Silhouette machine you're using.  Personal preference also comes into play!

So here's the lowdown on the Silhouette blades and tips that you can use with the die cutting machine.  By the way - you can click on any of the blade names to purchase...doing so supports Silhouette School blog (so I truly appreciate it!)

How to Change the Silhouette CAMEO 3 Default Blade Type

If you cut with a Silhouette CAMEO 3, the Autoblade is the default tool...but it doesn't have to be.

If you prefer to cut with the Silhouette ratchet blade - the black one - you can set that as the default in Silhouette Studio.

Best Silhouette Cut Settings for 11 Hard to Cut Materials

So many times I get questions about what's the best Silhouette cut setting for___fill in the blank___?

Silhouette Studio offers a pretty extensive list of default material cut settings and I've shared lots of cut settings on the blog over the years, but today I thought I'd put the cut settings for the most commonly asked about materials all in one spot.

New Silhouette Products 2018: 3D Printer, But No New CAMEO

Silhouette America released its list of new Silhouette products for 2018 and the 3D Alta Printer tops the list.

The list of new products, tools, and partnerships was announced today at the company's annual Summit in Hawaii. Those holding their breath for a new Silhouette cutter will have to wait awhile longer as a new cutter was not among the new Silhouette 2018 products.

Silhouette CAMEO 3 Not Cutting? Here's Why!

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.

Silhouette Craft Inspired DIY Halloween Costume Tour

A few weeks back I got this genius idea (bahaha little pat on my own back there) to make yet another DIY Halloween costume...but not just any Halloween costume this year! I needed one that my fellow Silhouette crafters (YOU!) would really appreciate.  One you could really get behind.

One that when I wear it for trick or treating around the neighborhood EVERYONE will be asking me "What the heck are you?"  It's like my own little secret...except my kids and Bob fully 'got it' so I'm glad I at least resemble what I'm supposed to resemble.  I mean I think I look pretty sharp. (Note the blade on top, people!)

Trick to Cutting a Score Line on Silhouette CAMEO

Need to cut the perfect score line with Silhouette CAMEO? Sometimes the perforated cut doesn't quite give you the professional-looking fold line you're going for, but a solid cut will splice through the paper. Enter a score line!

Amazon Prime Day 2016: Silhouette CAMEO Accessory Must Haves!

Prime Day Deals

I will keep this updated as I see deals!  If you see a deal to share please email me at Melissa@SilhouetteSchoolblog.com with "Prime Deal" in the subject line!

Current Deals

Silhouette CAMEO 2 Starter Bundle - $179.97
Silhouette CURIO - $125 
Silhouette Mint Stamp Machine $61.60
Gel Pens for Sketching with Silhouette CAMEO, Portrait or Curio
48 Pack of Gel Pens 
Martha Stewart Glitter Set of 24
Label Paper (for stickers) 
Onesies 
Stemless Wine Glasses (great for etching or vinyl!)

30 OZ Double Wall Stainless Steel Tumbler  $15.90  (Just like a Yeti!)
Pack of 4 Stainless Steel Straws for Yeti Cup - $5.32

Upcoming Deals: 

Light Box (Makes weeding easier) (1:55pm EST)
White Liquid Chalk Markers (Starts at 4:40pm EST)

8 Pack Colored Liquid Chalk Markers (Starts at 5:30pm EST)
Fabric Markers 6:15pm EST
Unfinished Wood Crafting Blocks (7:30 pm EST) 

Amazon is celebrating a one day global sales event again this year.  The online retail giant is promising it will be bigger than Black Friday. The good news is lots of accessories for Silhouette CAMEO and Portrait are available on Prime which means there's a great chance they'll be even more of a steal when Amazon Prime Day 2016 rolls around on Tuesday, July 12!

I know I'm not the only Silhouette crafter who has a hard time finding Silhouette items in the craft store, which is why I prefer Amazon Prime for my Silhouette supplies and blanks on Amazon.  The yearly Amazon Prime membership fee is more than worth it for the two day free shipping, free Prime videos, Kindle books and Prime Music.