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Section 4: Finding the Correct Settings

If this is the first time cutting a particular material type, you should perform a test cut before cutting out your final design. Note that there are "Blade Position" arrows in the Controller screen.

Blade position arrows are not used to indicate where you want the Silhouette to begin cutting your actual job. They are used to manually direct the cutting blade over your paper or material to perform a test cut on a specific area. Once your blade is positioned over your material in the desired location, click on the "Test Cut" button.

You will be given a check screen to verify you want to proceed with making a test cut and may click on the "OK" option to perform a test cut. Do not touch the Silhouette while it moves and cuts a small arrow inside a box on your material. The resulting cut will look just like the image represented by the "Test Cut" button icon.

Once cut, remove your material and cutting mat by turning the feed knob toward you. At this point, you may remove the small test cut from your material. If it pops out with ease, you are finished with the test cut process and can continue to the next step. If the resulting cut does not come out of your material cleanly, you will need to adjust the cutting conditions by doing one or more of the following:

  • Increasing the thickness level
  • Slowing down the speed (recommended for thicker materials)
  • Switching to a higher blade cap color, even if different from blade cap pictured in the Controller screen as the suggested cap (only if necessary)

You may then reload your material and cutting mat, adjust the blade position as needed, and try another test cut. You may repeat this step as needed until you find the best setting.

TROUBLESHOOTING: If you are having problems getting a clean cut, you may find a resolution through our online trouble-shooting by clicking here.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Remember that the material range of materials that will perform well in the Silhouette is a thin film material, such as vinyl, to a thicker cardstock at a maximum of 80-90 lb weight, such as Bazzill brand cardstock. Cutting thicker materials will wear down the blade more quickly, and cutting on materials thicker than the suggested range may damage or immediately dull the blade.

Once you have found the correct settings for a particular media type, you may wish to create a New Media type for future use so you do not have to repeat the testing process each time you go to cut the same specific material.

HOW TO: Create a New Media Type
As you have new types of materials you are testing, it is recommended to use the "Thin Media" or "Thick Media" media types as beginning points. They are intended to be a generic starting point for new material types you are testing. Once you have gone through the testing process and found the optimal blade cap, speed, and thickness settings:
  1. Click on the "Add Media" button

  2. Once the Add Media window comes up, you will note that the settings are already selected to whatever cap color, speed, and thickness were previously determined when you clicked on the "Add Media" button. If they are not the correct settings, you may alter to your liking.
  3. Highlight and rename the Media Type with a name you will be able to remember or readily recognize next time you are looking to cut this specific material.
  4. Click the "OK" button to save your new media type for later use.

It should now be permanently available option each time you visit the Controller screen and go to select a Media Type.

Continue

Introduction
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
Section 9
Section 10
Section 11
Frequently asked questions
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