Silhouette Cameo 2
Contents
What is a Silhouette Cameo 2?
The Silhouette CAMEO 2 is an electronic cutting machine. It uses a small blade to cut paper, cardstock, vinyl, fabric and more up to 12" wide 24" long on a cutting mat. It can also sketch using the Silhouette Sketch pens.
What can you cut with a Silhouette Cameo?
Paper, cardstock, vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, fabric, thin leather, and many, many other materials. Because this is considered a home machine there are countless tips and tutorials available online.
Is training required to use the Silhouette Cameo?
No. If you feel comfortable using the machine after your own research that is acceptable. However, if you are a hands-on learner feel free to request a Silhouette Basics course through Talk.
Silhouette Cameo Documentation:
Silhouette Cameo Machine Anatomy & Accessories:
The Silhouette Cameo works very similarly to a printer. There is a blade holder that moves back and forth across one axis while the mat moves back and forth on another axis. The ratchet blade can be adjusted to a particular depth depending on the material you are cutting.
It is recommended that any users purchasing their own accessories pay particular attention to ensuring that the accessories that they are purchasing are intended for use with the Silhouette Cameo (rather than the Silhouette Portrait or Curio).
Cutting Mats
The Silhouette Cameo uses sticky cutting mats to hold the cutting media. The default mat is 12" by 12", however mats are also available in 12" by 24". Additionally, up to 10' lengths of vinyl can be cut directly from the roll feeder (not owned by DMS).
The mats come in light, regular, and strong tack options. While these mats will last through several projects, they are considered consumables. It is recommended that frequent users of the Silhouette Cameo purchase their own mat.
PixScan Mat
The PixScan mat allows you to cut around any printed image or position cut lines in a specific location on your material using a camera or scanner. The PixScan mat uses registration marks, and when you take a picture of the mat and upload it into the Silhouette Studio Software those registration marks tell the software where the printed image is. The Silhouette blade cartridge has a scanner in it which will read the registration marks and then cut the printed image.
Blades
Standard Ratchet Blade
The standard Ratchet blade is a carbide blade with a range of 0.1 mm to 1mm depth. This blade includes indications 1 through 10 which indicate the depth of which the blade with cut and needs to be adjusted manually. This replacement blade is compatible with all Silhouette electronic cutting tools.
Premium Blade
The Premium blade is a Sintered Tungsten Alloy blade with a range of 0.1 mm to 1mm depth. This blade is much stronger and holds an edge for longer than the standard ratchet blade. This blade includes indications 1 through 10 which indicate the depth of which the blade with cut and needs to be adjusted manually. This replacement blade is compatible with all Silhouette electronic cutting tools.
Fabric Blade
The Fabric blade is a carbide blade with a range of 0.1 mm to 1mm depth. This blade includes indications 1 through 10 which indicate the depth of which the blade with cut and needs to be adjusted manually. This replacement blade is compatible with all Silhouette electronic cutting tools.
The Fabric Blade is identical to the regular Blade except for its distinguishing color. The blue color allows you to identify which blade you want to save for cutting fabric so it can last longer and not be dulled in cutting your other material types. The ability to cut fabric generally requires a fabric stabilizer to hold the fabric in place properly to provide a clean, precise cut.
Deep Cut Blade
This blade is NOT compatible with the original Portrait, original Cameo, Cameo 2, or other older Silhouette Cutting Models, and thus is incompatible with the DMS owned Cameo 2.
The Deep Cut blade is a Sintered Tungsten Alloy blade with a range of 0.1 mm to 2mm depth. This blade uses the same stronger alloy as the premium blade, and thus will last longer than the standard carbide blade. This blade includes indications 1 through 10 which indicate the depth of which the blade with cut and needs to be adjusted manually.
Auto Blade
This blade is NOT compatible with the original Portrait, original Cameo, Cameo 2, or other older Silhouette Cutting Models, and thus is incompatible with the DMS owned Cameo 2.
The Auto blade is a Sintered Tungsten Alloy blade with a range of 0.1 mm to 1mm depth. This blade is much stronger and holds an edge for longer than the standard ratchet blade. This blade is automatically adjusted by the machine.
Sketch Pens
The Silhouette Cameo can be used as a sketching/drawing tool with Sketch Pens. Use sketch pens to draw designs onto various material surfaces or to add a hand-drawn look to your projects. No Pen Holder adapter is required for use of the sketch pens, simply drop the sketch pen into your Silhouette machine where you blade would normally be loaded, and then lock it into place.
Pen Holder
The Pen Holder allows you to use a range of pens, from a thinner standard ball-point pen to a thicker felt-tip marker.
Silhouette Studio Software:
All Silhouette cutter products use the Silhouette Studio software. The software is currently only installed on one no log-in computer for licensing reasons. DMS owns the Business Edition of Silhouette Studio (Ed. 4.1), but all users can download Silhouette Studio Basic for free on Silhouette America's website. A comparison chart that includes the feature differences between Silhouette Studio Basic and upgraded software versions can be found here.
Silhouette Studio Basic can import most major photo file types (JPG, BMP, PNG), and the upgrade to Silhouette Business Edition adds the ability to import SVG and PDF files and embroidery files (PES, DST, EXP, JEF, and XXX). Additionally, the Silhouette Business Edition can export files to an SVG, PDF, or JPG. Silhouette Studio by default saves its files in a .Studio3 file format, which can be read by all Silhouette Studio editions.
Silhouette America has a Youtube channel which includes numerous how to videos and tutorials to explain the features in Silhouette Studio.
