How to Apply Vinyl to Wood Signs With Slats

We've shown you before in a previous blog post how to design in Silhouette Studio for wood signs with slats. Well, we love bringing you new and different ways to create so that you can choose a method that works best for you. 

So, here's another way to deal with how to apply a vinyl decal onto a wood sign with slats.

DIY Patriotic Nails Tutorial (And More Patriotic Silhouette Projects)

Let's just get one thing clear... I'm really being vulnerable today.  I am very self conscious of my feet and hands (why won't my nails EVER grow? Why are my knuckles so wrinkly? What are those bumps?).  Anyway, I think enough of you guys that I decided - even though I will never have a career as a hand or foot model - I will put it all out there on the blog today (as long as you don't look too close).

Now that that's out of the way...it's less than a month until July 4th already and I'm sharing my first patriotic Silhouette project today.  This one was kind of a challenge for me (not only because it's my monthly contribution to the Silhouette Challenge group), but also because I'm terrible at painting my own nails (as you'll see), let alone blinging them out with special designs. Thankfully, my Silhouette made the job sooooo much easier!

The first thing I did was get my red, white, and blue nail polish. I picked them at the dollar store only because I can't really see myself wearing white or blue nail polish any other time of the year and I wasn't willing to shell out more than buck for a bottle.

Let's talk toes first since they were the easiest.   I painted my big toes blue and then cut stars out of white permanent vinyl (651) and stuck them directly onto the the nail.  I found that a design that's just about .75 square inch works well.  Easy peasy and made even easier because I'm giving you the free cut .studio cut file to download. I planned to paint each of the other four toe nails red and white striped, but they were just too tiny...so I cheated and painted each nail a solid color.

How to Make a Stencil with Silhouette CAMEO or Portrait

I get a lot of questions about how to create a stencil with Silhouette CAMEO. It's pretty easy to do - as long as you understand where to weed.

Single use stencils can be made using stencil material or adhesive vinyl.

How to Make a Glitter Fill in Silhouette Studio

If you work with glitter heat transfer vinyl or glitter vinyl a lot you may have found it necessary to create a mock up in Silhouette Studio only to realize that a solid color doesn't even come close to the glitter look.

This Silhouette tutorial will show you exactly how to make glitter fills in Silhouette Studio so you can create realistic glitter mock ups!

How to Use a Split Monogram Font in Silhouette Studio

The split monogram style is such a great way to add even more customization to your projects because it allows you to not only add a monogram, but a name onto your project as well!

In this tutorial, we'll show you how to add a name to a split monogram and perfectly center it.

How to Screen Print Using Vinyl: Silhouette Tutorial

So you want to know how to screenprint with vinyl and Silhouette?! 

You've come to the right spot because today I'm going to show you how easy it is to cut a re-usable vinyl stencil with your  Silhouette to make screen print shirts with a silk screen.

Why Bad Silhouette Cuts on Vinyl and HTV May NOT Be User Error (VIDEO)

If your Silhouette CAMEO is not making clean cuts when cutting vinyl and HTV, there's a good chance it's NOT user error (and I don't often say that).

The default cut settings in Silhouette Studio V4.1 and higher are not accurate for the vinyl and HTV materials which makes getting a good cut without any adjustments nearly impossible. The trick for how to make Silhouette cut deeper should start with the force, not the blade depth.

How to Layer Vinyl Decals Without Registration Marks (Video)

There’s no better feeling in the crafting world than when the multi-color, multi-layer vinyl decal you’ve worked so hard on comes out perfectly aligned! Using the registration marks method is a tried and true way to line up the different layers of a decal perfectly.

But what if I told you that there is a way you can line up vinyl decals WITHOUT registration marks? Well there is, and here’s how!

QR Code Generator: How to Make QR Code with Silhouette CAMEO

QR code signs are one of those craft trends that seems to be sticking around so today we have a tutorial on how to make a QR code with Silhouette. 

Using a scannable QR code generator is the key which will allow you to take customization to the next level with your Silhouette projects!  This is a really special, but super easy, way to add even more sentimental value to your projects.  Here's how to do it!

Silhouette Layering Vinyl Tutorial (The No-Fail Method)

Well, I've heard your pleas...you want to know how to layer vinyl! I must give the people what they want and so today we're going to talk about the easiest, no-fail, pretty much 100% guarantee way to perfectly layer vinyl...on the first try!  You're in, aren't you?

Just a heads up, this method is meant for adhesive vinyl since it uses transfer tape, not meant for HTV.  If you're trying to layer heat transfer vinyl, click here for some tips and tricks!

I needed a way to better organize my vinyl and of course, I needed to make a label.  For this project, I wanted to make a text label with an outline aka offset...let's get started!

Vinyl Nail Decal Tips and Sizing Guidelines: Silhouette Tutorial

If you've joined the vinyl nail art club - welcome! I've been using vinyl to decorate my own, as well as my daughter's finger and toenails, for almost as long as I've owned a Silhouette.  Whenever I share a photo of our vinyl nail art I get questions - most about cutting such small designs and sizing the decals. Today I am going to answer the three biggest questions I get about Silhouette vinyl nail designs so you can get decorating your nails, too!

Coffee Mug Decal Placement Tips

Cutting vinyl decals for coffee mugs is popular with Silhouette crafters, but there's one big question that people often ask.

Which side of the mug does the vinyl decal go on?

Silhouette Knockout Technique Tutorial: Updated for V4

Today's tutorial is brought to you by the words: Popular Demand! That's right I heard you loud and clear - you want a tutorial on the Silhouette 'Knockout' technique.

It's actually a pretty easy to do once you get the two main steps down..so here goes!

Fastest (and Scariest) Way to Weed Vinyl...5 Tips and a Silhouette Video Tutorial

I recently shared a quick video on the Silhouette School Facebook page showing a vinyl weeding technique I called "BandAid Method"...for obvious reasons. And from the sound of the collective gasp, you all lost.your.minds.

This technique where you quickly rip off the excess vinyl around the cut design, rather than slowly pulling away the negative, has also been called Snap Weeding.  Some also suggest "Waxing Method" might be most appropriate.  I'll let you decide.

HTV Shirt Decal Placement and Size Tips and Resources

One of the main questions about working with Heat Transfer Vinyl is how to know where to place the decal on a shirt.  For instance, exactly what is the correct pocket logo placement and how far down from the neckline should a large centered decal start?

Today I'm going to share some tips and resources I use when placing heat transfer vinyl on blank shirts.

How to Make a Border Around a Shape in Silhouette Studio V4 (Beginner Offset Tutorial)

Making a border around a shape in Silhouette Studio is simple - but it's not as simple as making a copy of a design and then enlarging it.

That won't actually make you a border around your shape - but the Offset tool will. 

Silhouette CAMEO 4 vs XTool M1 Vinyl Cutting Comparison

I recently added a craft laser to my collection and one of the features of the XTool M1 Craft Laser is vinyl cutting.  

Not only does the XTool M1 have a 10W diode laser for cutting and engraving wood, stainless steel, and many other material, the hybrid craft machine also has a cutting blade for vinyl and paper which means it has the potential to be an all in one craft machine! 

But how well does the vinyl cutting compare to a Silhouette CAMEO?  I compared the speed, max size, and quality of side by side so you can decide for yourself. 

Cutting Without a Silhouette Cutting Mat: 3 Steps to Set Up Silhouette Studio and CAMEO

There are several reasons why you may want or need to cut without a Silhouette cutting mat.

Maybe you prefer to cut vinyl without a Silhouette cutting mat or maybe the material you're cutting is too long to fit on a cutting mat.  Whatever the reason, both Silhouette Studio and your Silhouette CAMEO need to be set up correctly to cut without a mat.

How to Get Vinyl to Stick to PVC (Like DIY Drink Pouches)

If you're looking for a fun way to personalize a party, make your own drink pouches and add some vinyl!

Vinyl doesn't always want to easily stick to PVC...but there is an easy trick so read on. 

Trick to Picking Up Vinyl When It Won't Stick to the Transfer Tape

If you're transfer tape won't pick up the vinyl off the backing sheet - you're in luck.

I have a little trick that will help you get that vinyl off the backing sheet when it doesn't want to seem to stick to the transfer paper.