Set Up Your Silhouette Cameo
Set Up your Silhouette Cameo machine and get started making projects for family and friends with this quick set up tutorial. Making crafts with your Silhouette is both easy and fun.
Setting Up Your Silhouette Cameo
Here is a video that shows start to finish the complete setup of setting up your Silhouette Cameo craft cutting machine.
I walk you step by step from unboxing it to plugging it in, and turning it on. I also go over the process of registering your Silhouette Cameo machine and how to download the software.
Let show you how to setup your Silhouette Cameo Machine! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it is at no additional cost to you)! Read my full disclosure here.
Once you have your Silhouette machine set up registered, and software downloaded, I show you in the video the first few basics of using the software including where to find SVG cut files to use with your machine.
My Silhouette Cameo History
I have personally owned four SIlhouette Cameo machines. I know that seems crazy. However, it is not. I have run a craft business for several years now selling shirts and decals. Over the years I have upgraded my machines and stored older ones as backups.
However, if you are just starting out you do not need four. I know only own 2 Silhouette Cameos which are the 2 and 3. I love both. And yes use both.Â
I am also the owner of the new Cricut Maker – and you can see my unboxing and set up here.
In my Circut unboxing post, I mentioned how I owned Cricut first, then moved to Silhouette. It was around the time my twins were born.
I was bed rested for 8 weeks and in that time I could only sit and move around a bit at a time. So, I sat at my dining room in a big chair playing with my first silhouette making vinyl projects.
I must say, I was truly fascinated by how the Silhouette cut vinyl. And honestly, I only had ever cut cardstock on my previously owned Cricut.
I made a large gift basket full of nurse related items vinyled in nurse decals and phrases, snacks and other goodies. When it came time to deliver the twins, I brought the gift basket of goodies with me to gift to any nurses who helped my husband and IÂ through our twins delivery process.
They were overjoyed with the goodies, and it felt so good to give the items to them. Ever since then, I’ve never looked back. And there is probably not a week that has gone that I haven’t crafted or created a decal or something for someone.
You will find that once you begin, it won’t be long until others find out about what you are doing. And then you will see requests start to come your way.
Silhouette Today
From my very first machine, I have seen Silhouette update and grow from that first model to the Cameo 3 version today. Silhouette even offers a 3D printer, which is pretty amazing.
However, it has been the Silhouette Cameo that has made movements by storm. My twins are four years old now, and I have been a part of several crafting groups and communities at that time.
I have seen full-fledged craft businesses be born all with one small machine. There is an entire world out there of planner sticker makers. They print and cut sheets of stickers and sell them all over the web and Etsy. They run anywhere from 10-20 Silhouette Cameo machines at once.
Yes, you read that right, 20 machines cutting at once!
Ad these tiny little craft businesses aren’t really tiny! They have sold over 100,000 in sticker sheets, making them at least a million dollar business. All from stickers!
So you can see the possibilities are endless. And I love the capabilities Silhouette America offers.
Silhouette Software
SIlhouette provides basic software to use with your machine. However, if you want to be able to open up and use SVG cut files within the Silhouette you will need to upgrade your software to the Designer Edition.
The Designer Edition was created to allow users to upload their own artwork via SVG format and expand the tools within the library.
There is also a Designer Edition Plus that allows you to do additional things like unlocking the rhinestone options and import embroidery files.
Lastly, the Designer Business Edition unlocks further features, such as SVG export, multiple cutting unit support, and advanced nesting – meaning that you can cut on 10-20 machines at once. This is great if you are a business needing to cut multiple things at once all the time.
However, in my small business experience, I have only used the basic standard software that’s included and Designer Edition. Either of those is plenty and more to get you started and provide a lot of room to grow your craft abilities.
Silhouette in the Marketplace
Silhouette America offers not only machines but also materials, starter kits, and accessories. And as I have mentioned before, you may not always find Silhouette brand items in the stores, but you are likely to find some in most major craft stores like Hobby Lobby, Micheals, Joanns, and even Walmart.
And of course, there is always Amazon Prime if you need craft supplies and can wait 2 days.
Related Post: Why You Need Amazon Prime
My Silhouette Cameo
I love the 2 SIlhouette Cameo craft cutting machines that I own today. And I truly love the capability and freedom of the Silhouette Software.
If you have any questions about the Silhouette or the Circut, please feel free to leave a comment or message below. I will be sure to answer your questions.
Related Post: Setting Up Your Cricut Cutting Machine
Silhouette Cameo Set Up Recap
Step 1). Unbox the machine. Keep all the parts and pieces.
Step 2). Plug in the power cord and then the USB cord to your computer.
Step 3). Power on the machine.
Step 4). Register your machine at SilhouetteAmerica.com/setup and allow the prompts to take you through your registration and software download. Grab your free trial subscription to the Silhouette Store.
Step5). Open your software and create and cut your first project!
And sign up for the Crafty Life Mom community on the Resource Library page to get FREE access to printables, SVG cut files and tutorials to all the crafty projects. Plus get a Craft Project Planner delivered right your email!!
Want to Join the Crafty Life Mom Community?Â
If you are new to the Crafty Life Mom community, sign up below to get access to my entire private craft resource library. I share printables for crafting projects and home decor DIYs. Plus I have several SVG cut files that you can use with your Cricut or Silhouette cutting machine and checklists and more! Click the pink box below!
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