Today we’re going to talk about each Silhouette machine and which one(s) we think you should buy and why! If you have been wondering which is the best Silhouette machine to buy and what the differences are between them, today we’re going to talk you through each one so that you know which one is best for whatever projects you’re wanting to make.
Silhouette Portrait
If you want to cut vinyl to put it on different surfaces, cut heat transfer vinyl to apply to fabrics and shirts, or make custom stickers for your planner or party favors, the Silhouette Portrait is the perfect starter machine!
The Portrait was the first machine we ever used from Silhouette, and we still use it all the time! It is a compact cutting machine with one tool carriage. It cuts materials 8 inches wide and up to 60 inches long (with a roll feeder). The Portrait, like the other Silhouette machines, uses Silhouette Studio – a really great software for designing and manipulating designs that are already available for you to cut. You can create regular cut, print and cut, and 3D projects using the Portrait.
Favorite Silhouette Portrait Project: Paper Flowers
Silhouette Cameo
The Silhouette Cameo is the golden child of the Silhouette machines. It comes in three different sizes and can cut a huge variety of materials.
The Cameo 4 machine cuts up to 12 inches wide, the Cameo Plus cuts up to 15 inches wide, and the Cameo Pro cuts up to 24 inches wide. They Cameo machines have two tool carriages, so you can do two different tasks in one project. For example, you can use one carriage to sketch on the material and the other to cut. The Cameo is an advanced machine, but beginners can also use it for basic tasks!
Favorite Silhouette Cameo Project: Large Wall Banner
Silhouette Alta
The Silhouette Alta is perfect for making small-scale 3d printed designs for crafting. You can make stencils for hand lettering, cookie cutters and cake toppers that customize your baking, one-of-a-kind jewelry, personalized gift tags for giving, and so, SO much more.
Favorite Silhouette Alta Project: 3D Printed Earrings
Silhouette Mint
The Silhouette Mint Custom Stamp Maker, has a magic that is all its own! If you aren’t familiar, the Silhouette Mint is a little machine that makes your designs into the most clever little stamps. These stamps are so fun because they can be personalized in the cutest ways! You can upload your own photos, use a Silhouette Design Store design, or create your own! Then, the Silhouette Mint makes incredibly detailed stamps from what you upload!
Favorite Silhouette Mint Project: Custom Stamped Wrapping Paper
Silhouette Curio (Discontinued)
The Silhouette Curio is a flat cutter that works great for smaller-sized projects.
Favorite Silhouette Curio Project: Polymer Clay Hair Barrettes
What kinds of projects would you make with your Silhouette machine? There is something for everyone!
Happy crafting!
– Liz & Sam