My New Silhouette Cameo Cutting Machine

My New Silhouette Cameo Cutting Machine

New year, new cutting machine. Actually, I bought a new cutting machine back in November but have been too busy to open the box.

Why did I get a new cutting machine? I currently own the Klic-N-Kut Element, which is almost 4 years old. It still works pretty well, but it's a little finicky, so I thought it was a good time to get a new machine. The second reason for getting a new machine is so that I can recommend a machine for those of you who want to make my cards, but do not want to hand cut them. Some of my cards are pretty intricate and would require a lot of patience to make by hand. Another reason to get a cutting machine, which is the initial reason I got one, is to make many cards. I bought my cutting machine to make invitations for my wedding. The money I saved making my own wedding invitations paid for the cutting machine. Also, many of you have asked me what machine I would recommend using, and since the Klic-N-Kut Element is outdated and can't be bought anymore, I wanted to recommend a more recent model.

Why did I get the Silhouette Cameo over the others? There are quite a few new cutting machines out there. After doing some research, I narrowed my choice between the Silhouette Cameo and the Klic-N-Kut Zing. Both have great features and come in a really nice small form factor. I chose the Silhouette Cameo for 2 reasons. First, it is a lot cheaper than the Zing, so I'd rather recommend a machine that is more affordable. Secondly, I already have a Klic-N-Kut, and can make cutting files that will work with it, so I wanted to get a different machine so I can offer another option for anyone who didn't have a Klic-N-Kut. I'm sure the Klic-N-Kut Zing works well.

What comes with the Silhouette Cameo? I created a quick video on unboxing the Silhouette Cameo that you can view here:

The Silhouette Cameo comes with the following items:

  • Silhouette Cameo cutting machine
  • Power cord
  • USB cord
  • Cutting blade
  • Cutting mat
  • $10 credit for www.silhouetteamerica.com
  • An instructional video CD
  • Silhouette Studio software
  • Quick start guide
  • Registration card and precautions information sheet

Here is an image of what came in the box:

I thought it would be a good idea to show you what the Silhouette Cameo looks like next to my old Klic-N-Kut Element.

The element actually weighs a lot more because, not only is it bigger, its housing is made of metal. The Cameo is a lot lighter because it's made mostly of plastic.

So here's my first impression of the Silhouette Cameo after having cut my first template with it. It works really well and is able to cut very fine details. There are a lot fewer controls to fiddle around with than my old cutting machine, which makes it a lot easier to use. We'll see how well it works over time. The cutting mat is already tacky, which is nice since you don't need to fiddle around with spray glues. But that also means you can't control how tacky you want the mat to be. The Silhouette Studio software looks slick but seems somewhat limited. I'll have to play it a little more. It currently does not read .pdf files but it can read .dxf files. I'll have to convert my templates to .dxf or .studio(Silhouette's file format) files in order for the machine to cut my templates. I may recommend a third party cutting software like Make the Cut or Sure Cuts A Lot. Overall, it worked well out of the box.

If you are considering getting a cutting machine to avoid cutting my templates out hand, you can buy the Silhouette Cameo from Amazon.com or from Scrapbook.com.

For those of you who already have cutting machines, I'd like to know what machines you use and what file formats your machines can accept.

25 Comments
  • Carol
    Posted at 05:31h, 04 January Reply

    I was really annoyed to find out that the Cameo doesn’t support the plugin for Corel. It still will work using the printer driver–Corel treats it as if it were a printer–but the functionality is greatly reduced. Sigh. What is WITH these companies pushing us to use their proprietary file formats?

  • eunice
    Posted at 01:28h, 06 January Reply

    Bought me a Cameo for Christmas too! Looking forward to being able to learn and create with you!

  • Tabatha
    Posted at 06:40h, 07 January Reply

    Hi, Love your pop up cards. A lot of people use svg files if that helps. Me included 🙂

    • Creative
      Posted at 14:11h, 07 January Reply

      I have a dumb question. Neither my KNK or Silhouette use .svg files. Do people have to use Make the Cut or Sure Cuts A Lot to cut with .svg files?

  • Carol
    Posted at 15:28h, 07 January Reply

    You can open it in Inkscape and save it as a DXF. Then open it with Silhouette Studio (or what do you have?)

    • Creative
      Posted at 01:00h, 08 January Reply

      Yea, it reads dxf files. But why wont these cutting machines read svg files, which seem to be a very universal file format. I’ll check out Inkscape. Cutting directly from Inkscape…interesting.

      • Cathy D.
        Posted at 12:44h, 21 June Reply

        A Cricut Explore will read .svg files. I love my Explore and Explore Air 2.

  • Carol
    Posted at 15:33h, 07 January Reply

    Or cut directly from Inkscape by adding your Cameo as if it were a printer. At least I think you can! You can “print” to CraftRobo and it cuts on the print lines. File/Print/Add Printer. Add the Cameo. Then File/Print. Click the Preferences button. Some sort of box will open. Probably. For the Robo I get a box where I set the paper size and orientation, and set up the print and score lines.

  • Carol
    Posted at 07:27h, 08 January Reply

    Because they’re pushing their proprietary file formats. Which means you have to use their software.

    Most of the svg files floating around are drawn in such a way to work well with Cricut–that is, every shape is closed. Not a problem with shapes that ARE closed, but with lines, it means the line has to be drawn as a very flat rectangle. A straight line must contain FOUR control points (data points) rather than two. I wonder if my machine would cut it twice, trying to make a miniscule rectangle? For most files it’s probably a minimal issue, but it bugs me.

  • Soraya
    Posted at 12:32h, 13 January Reply

    congratulations on your new toy! hope it will bring you many hours of happiness

  • Soraya
    Posted at 18:58h, 17 January Reply

    I should have added that I have a black cat and use svg files

  • Lu
    Posted at 01:49h, 28 January Reply

    Hi, It’s been a LONG while since I’ve heard Fm YOU, so I went back to U-Tube
    to LOOK for Ur SPIRAL Hearts. I tried to re-sign up bur for some reason it says I’m already sign-up?????
    Am I doing something WRONG that I’m NO LONGER GETTING Ur Up-DATES
    I’m so SAD that I DIDn’T KNOW of the BIRTH of YOUR Precious Mircle’s BIRTH
    Just a Beautiful BABY. Believe Me. I worked in NEW-BORN Nursery. Loved the BABIES but COULDn’T take that new-born SHREEAKING, so I WORE EAR-PLUGS, it seems to MUFFLE the SOUND. The Shreeking GOES AWAY after the 7th DAY, when the Vocal Cords GET STRONGER, develop Texture, with actual WIND/AIR going THRU THEM.
    I sure hope Your taking LOTS of Pictures! BY now YOUR LITTLE
    ANGEL KNOWS YOU and has THEIR OWN PERSONALITY…YES???
    ENJOY EACH SECOND, MINUTE, FEEDING DIAPER CHANGIN’
    YES IT ALL-ALL GOES BY TOO FAST, KEEP CAMERA-VIDEO-HANDY..BATH-TIME
    IS GOING TO BE, FUN VERY SOON! GET READY:)

    • Creative
      Posted at 07:54h, 28 January Reply

      Hi! Yes, i’ve been busy with my little baby so i haven’t had time to post any new designs. Thank you for your kind wishes.

  • Vasudha
    Posted at 03:00h, 28 January Reply

    Umm..i wanted to ask about this machine…it directly prints from the computer+cuts or you have to print separately and put it the machine and then it cuts?

    • Creative
      Posted at 07:52h, 28 January Reply

      Hi! The cutter only cuts. You can print on a standard printer, then use the cutting machine to cut the parts out.

  • Tammy
    Posted at 10:13h, 30 January Reply

    Whoo Hooo I really like this. I have the Cameo and the Zing too. I love your cards and congratulations on the new baby girl she is beautiful.
    I just had a baby grand daughter born Jan. 25 too. I can’t wait to see her.

    Thank you so much for your shares and your time for showing us how to put every thing together. I appreciate it.

  • Tammy
    Posted at 10:21h, 30 January Reply

    O I forgot to add I use SVG most of the time and I also have Studio Designer edition and it too can use SVG files if ppl want to spend the xtra money for Silhouette software and not have to buy a third party software. But I will give MTC a plug. You can import PDF’s in it and turn them into cutting files.

  • sudiro
    Posted at 03:25h, 11 February Reply

    im in indonesia.how can i get this stuff?because as i know this stuff is only sell in united states & canada

    • Creative Rich
      Posted at 04:46h, 11 February Reply

      Hi Sudiro, You can purchase the templates using Paypal or a credit card. The files will be downloadable through your account on this website.

  • Jacquie
    Posted at 00:47h, 14 February Reply

    Okay….I purchase the Sihouette ( Cameo ) machine, and then purchase your videos ( for the wedding ring card ) so that I can make these types of cards correct ?
    Would love to do this !

  • john
    Posted at 16:31h, 23 February Reply

    hey all,
    i bought the cameo and i want to cut out a few logos which are JPEG buti add it to the silhouette cameo software and press cut but nothing happens? what can i do to convert it to the right file and I’m using a MAC?
    cheers

    • Creative Rich
      Posted at 05:47h, 24 February Reply

      You will probably need to use a third party software like Sure Cuts A lot. The Silhouette Studio software is pretty basic and I dont think it has the function to trace the .jpg.

  • Debbie Williams
    Posted at 12:47h, 08 November Reply

    I have a Cricut Explore. I bought your templates many months ago and didn’t purchase the svg formats. However, I can scan in the pdf files to create .jpg files. I can use the Explore to convert them to .SVG files and hooray – I can cut using my Cricut Explore!

    • CreativeRich
      Posted at 23:06h, 09 November Reply

      Hi Debbie! The SVG files are in the zip file when you purchase the template. I’m glad it worked for you.

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