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. 

Adding Custom Silhouette Cut Settings for 3mm Kraft Blade (And Why You Should NOT Skip This Step)

The key to cutting with the Silhouette 3mm Kraft Blade is cutting in multiple passes with varying levels of force and blade depth.

Because Silhouette Studio is not able to do this automatically, you need to set up a series of custom material cut settings for every material you cut with 3mm Kraft Blade.

How to Kiss Cut and Die Cut Stickers on Same Sticker Sheet

You can cut your own sticker sheets when you combine the Silhouette CAMEO's ability to do a full die cut and kiss cut on the same sticker sheet!  

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to make custom sticker sheets this way! 

How to Cut Giant Paper Wall Flowers with Silhouette CAMEO

It's possible to make giant paper wall flowers with Silhouette CAMEO - even a 12" Silhouette CAMEO!

The trick is knowing how to enlarge the paper flower template and taking advantage of a 12" piece of cardstock! 

How to Use (Game Changing) Silhouette CAMEO 4 Pen Holder

The Silhouette CAMEO 4 pen holder is now available and they're honestly a pretty big deal.

The marker and pen holders for the CAMEO 4 open up the possibility to use products - like the Cricut Infusible Ink Markers, these American Craft cutting machine pens, gel pens, and fabric pens -  that otherwise can't be used with the CAMEO 4, but can be used with the older model Silhouette machines.

Multi Color Sketch Pens on Silhouette CAMEO 4

Silhouette CAMEO 4's high pressure carriage offers a ton of benefits (hello rotary and kraft blades!!!), but also sacrificed a couple of techniques a lot of users got used to on the dual carriage CAMEO 3 and Curio.

Just like with the single carriage Silhouette machines, it's not possible to do a multi color sketch (with two different color sketch pens), foil and cut, or a sketch and cut in a single pass with CAMEO 4. This is because Carriage 2 is exclusively for the specialty tools. That means sketch pens and the sketch pen holder won't fit.  But the good news is, it is still possible and just an extra step or two.

Silhouette Rotary Blade: How to Turn Off Hooks and Loops in Silhouette Studio

You're not stuck cutting those hooks and loops Silhouette Studio adds to cuts with the Rotary (and Kraft) blades.  They can be turned off.

When you use the Silhouette CAMEO 4 Rotary Blade, the software adds the extra cut lines to help the Rotary Blade turn. Unfortunately, when cut, those hooks and loops can also almost literally eat up the fabric - which has many users wanting to turn them off completely.  Read on for how to turn off the rotary blade extra cut lines. 

Silhouette CAMEO 4 Autoblade Not Cutting? 4 Fixes

If you're having Silhouette CAMEO 4 Autoblade issues, it's likely there's one of four reasons why. 

In this Silhouette tutorial I go in depth on how to fix common issues including when the Silhouette CAMEO 4 Autoblade isn't cutting, isn't cutting deep enough, or when it's cutting too deep. 

 

What Silhouette CAMEO Do I Have? (And What Tools Can I Use?)

Believe it or not we get asked more than you'd think "What Silhouette CAMEO machine do I have?" 

While the same Silhouette Studio software can run all of the Silhouette machines, there are some differences in machines themselves - especially older machines - that make it important to know which Silhouette CAMEO you have.  

New Silhouette CAMEO 4 Blades (First Look)

Three new Silhouette CAMEO 4 tools will be available to order very soon!  

The new blades allow Silhouette CAMEO 4, CAMEO 4 Plus, CAMEO 4 Pro, and Portrait 3 users to get away from using some, but not all, of the tool adapters currently needed to use tools fitted for the older model Silhouette machines. 

Silhouette Blade Name Changes in the Send Panel (V4.4)

In preparation to release a set of new blades for the Silhouette CAMEO 4, the tool names displayed in Silhouette Studio's newest Beta release of the software have changed. 

If you're looking for the Ratchet Blade and Deep Cut Blade in Silhouette Studio you won't find them in the latest Beta release (do not mistake this for the blades themselves being discontinued - they are NOT).  

The names have changed...read on to find out more about what you need to know whether you're cutting with a Silhouette CAMEO 4, CAMEO 4, or even CAMEO 2, 1 or Portrait. 

Perfect Sketch with Sketch Pens in Silhouette Cameo 4

If you're having trouble using Silhouette Sketch pens in your Silhouette Cameo 4, you're not alone. But you don't need to give up on them - they can be useful tools to adding some seriously awesome flair to your projects. 

First off, start by checking out this blog post (with video), that gives you 4 fixes (including sketch settings) so you can avoid one of the most common issues - the sketch pen leaving drag marks on your project. 

Then, head back here for a few more tips for getting that perfect sketch with Silhouette Sketch pens in the Silhouette Cameo 4.

How to Fix HTV Mistakes using the Knife Tool in Silhouette Studio

Mistakes are bound to happen when it comes to HTV. But it doesn't mean your project is a total goner. 

You may be able to easily and quickly save your HTV project using the Knife Tool in Silhouette Studio. Follow along for this quick trick on how to fix HTV mistakes!

Silhouette CAMEO 4 AutoBlade Won't Cut? 5 Things to Check!

If you're having trouble with your Silhouette CAMEO 4 Autoblade not cutting - which has been a relatively common complaint - there are a few things to check.

Go through this check list to troubleshoot common CAMEO 4 AutoBlade issues.

How to Apply Vinyl to a Wax Candle

Just when you thought you might have applied vinyl to just about every surface in your home, here's a quick and easy home decor project using permanent adhesive vinyl on wax candles! 

This is really easy to do, but there's a few simple tricks to making sure you get a good stick with the vinyl on the wax. Keep reading to find out how to do it!

Silhouette CAMEO 4 Blade: How to Use the Ratchet Blade Instead of Autoblade

Silhouette CAMEO 4 autoblades are becoming increasingly more difficult to find, but that doesn't mean you can't cut with your machine. If the CAMEO 4 Autoblade is sold out, switch over and use the Silhouette ratchet blade instead.

This manually adjustable blade can be used in any and all Silhouette cutting machines - including all Silhouette CAMEO 4 machines.

Perfect Silhouette Score Lines with Foil Quill

This hack may become your newest best friend when it comes to making score lines with your Silhouette machine. You may already know how to create a score line using a cutting blade, but now here's a way to use your Silhouette and the Foil Quill to create "soft" score lines that put a gentle bend in the paper instead of a small cut like the cutting blade does.

This is especially helpful when you are working with thin, lightweight paper and need to make lots of score lines - like when creating the paper rosettes for this Halloween Banner. (This trick saves you SO much time versus using a bone folder and score board to make all the score marks!) 

Keep reading to learn how you can use the Foil Quill to make score lines. 

Silhouette CAMEO 4 Tools and Blades: Which Tools are Compatible (And How to Use them)

Confused on which tools can be used in the Silhouette CAMEO 4? You're not alone.

Between two different tool carriages, various tool adapters, and multiple versions of the same tool, it's easy to see why knowing which tool to use in the Silhouette CAMEO 4, 15" Silhouette CAMEO 4 Plus, and Pro can seem like a guessing game.

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. 

Can the Silhouette Rotary Blade be Used in CAMEO 3

The Silhouette Rotary Blade is hands down one of my favorite Silhouette accessories.

The ease of use in cutting fabric, felt, tissue paper, and other difficult to cut materials has made it extremely popular. It's so popular the rotary blade is often difficult to find....and highly intriguing to users with older model Silhouette machines as well who are left hoping and wondering: "Can I use the rotary blade in Silhouette CAMEO 3?