What is it?
- Silhouette Cameo: The official website
The Silhouette Cameo is an electronic cutting and drawing machine. Using a connected computer, it uses a small blade to cut a design you created on the computer out of some material sent into the machine. It cuts paper, cardstock, vinyl, and fabric.
The Silhouette Cameo 3 we have available for use was made possible by Cornhusker Public Power Goodwill Fund grant.
What can I do?
- Watch this video to get some ideas
- Check out some project inspiration online
- Pinterest is a great resource for projects ideas and tutorials
- Silhouette School is a great resource
- Silhouette How-To page
What do we provide?
- Silhouette Cameo 3
- Silhouette 12″x12″ cutting mat, 12″x24″ cutting mat
- Silhouette Blade
- Weeding tools
What do I need?
- A design prepared in Silhouette Studio
- Silhouette Studio is available on the library laptops and desktop computer near cutting machine
- Silhouette Studio will upload a variety of file types: JPEG, PNG, DXF, EPS
- All materials to create your project (See Below)
- Additional transfer tape, cardstock, or supplies (See below)
- Anywhere from 30 minutes for a small design to several hours for a larger/more detailed design.
What materials can I use?
Material must fit within the size of the work area:
- Width: 12 inches maximum
- Length: 10 feet (120 inches) maximum
Common materials include:
- 20 lb. Copy Paper (white, patterned, printed, etc.)
- Cardstock (adhesive, chalkboard, glitter, etc.)
- Vinyl (printable, adhesive, matte, glossy, stencil, etc.)
- Heat Transfer (Iron-On) Vinyl
- Plastic Shrink Paper
- Temporary Tattoo Paper
- Fabric
- Vellum
- Silhouette Pens and Markers
Silhouette has a great supply of materials you can purchase for use.
Where Can I Buy Materials?
Designs
- You can buy designs online from the Silhouette Design Store or other online sources like Etsy or Craftsy
- Check out the free designs from the Silhouette Design Store.
- Silhouette Studio will upload designs from a variety of file types: JPEG, PNG, DXF, EPS
- Silhouette Studio will not upload SVG files
Materials
- You can find materials at Michaels, Jo-Ann, Amazon, Hobby Lobby, Etsy, and more
Fullerton Public Library does not endorse nor profit from these links. These are suggestions of where you can purchase items to use with the Silhouette Cameo 3.
Tips and Additional Info
Adhesive Vinyl Projects
Adhesive vinyl is great for decorating and customizing everyday items like wood signs, cups, picture frames, laptops, and more! This vinyl comes with a layer of adhesive so it is ready to stick on your item, both in permanent or removable options. Avoid tiny or thin lines in your design. You will need transfer tape to move your design onto the item you are decorating.
Materials you will need to complete your project:
- Vinyl
- Permanent is recommended for outdoor or washable items
- Removable is recommended for laptop or wall décor
- Transfer tape
Heat Transfer (Iron-On) Vinyl Projects
Heat transfer (iron-on) vinyl is great for customizing t-shirts, bags, or other fabric items! Unlike regular vinyl, it does not have a layer of adhesive and is meant to adhere to fabric using a heat press. The end result will have a layer of vinyl on top of the fabric. Most brands (Cricut, Siser, Silhouette) of heat transfer (iron-on) vinyl have built-in heat resistant transfer tape. The heating process for each brand can vary, so read carefully.
Materials you will need to complete your project:
- Heat Transfer (Iron-On) Vinyl
- Heat Resistant Transfer Tape (only if not built-in)
- If there is no transfer tape, patrons need to supply butcher paper or cardstock to protect the heat press and their project
- Fullerton Public Library does not have a heat press available to use at this time so you will be responsible for iron or supplies to iron your design on your item.
Supplies Available for Purchase:
- We do have some 12×12 Oracal Vinyl sheets that are available to purchase for 1.99 per sheet.