Silhouette Print and Cut Tutorial (Updated for V3)

Way back when I was using Silhouette Studio Version 2 I wrote the original Print and Cut tutorial for beginners.  It's been a popular one...but for all the newbies out there who are using V3 I'm sure you're like "WHAAAAT is this girl talking about?"

That's what happens when they go changing the software on ya: combining menus, moving icons, and changing pop up windows. Fear not - the basics of print and cut are still the same, but I think it's worth a quick update for those of you using V3 who've shied (is that how you spell it?? I've been looking at it for like 6 minutes now thinking that doesn't look right...but even Google says it's right) away from Print and Cut.

I promise you once you do one Silhouette cut and print project, you'll feel more comfortable and confident. Just take it one step at a time: 1) design  2) set up  3) print  4) cut!

Open up Silhouette Studio and pick your design from either the free library or the Silhouette Design Store.  The first project you do I would highly recommend using a design that's specifically designed for print and cut (you can search 'print & cut' in the Silhouette Design Store's search box). Print and Cut designs are indicated with a little “P”.  There are several free options that come in the Silhouette Library or you can buy one in the Silhouette Design Store.

Pull your design into the Silhouette Studio work area.

Select the design and go to the Cut Style window. You’ll notice that you only have one cut line - around the outside of the design. That’s exactly what you want.  (And if it's a tag, like this design, you want the hole to be cut, too. )

NOTE: If you add text to your design you need to either fill it in using the fill tool OR select the text > open the Line Style window > give the line a weight. Also, if you only want the text printed, and not cut out, go to the cut style window and set the text as "no cut". 

If necessary, you can resize your design or duplicate it if necessary by copying/pasting. 

Now let's get ready to set up the design to print.  The Silhouette is like super smart..it knows exactly where to cut around your design, as long as you give it a few clues. The clues come in the form of registration marks.  So you need to add them to EVERY print and cut.

Click the 'Open the Registration Mark Setting Window' button on the top right.  From the ‘Style’ drop down menu, select Type 1 (for Cameo/Portrait) or Type 2 (SD).

Once you do this a gray area will appear on your work area.  Be sure no part of your design or design is touching the gray area or the red boundary line; if it is move the design or shape so it's inside that space.

You can adjust the Registration Mark position if necessary.  If you’re working on a Portrait, you likely do not need to move the registration marks at all since the cutting area is likely the same size as your printing area: 8.5 x 11”.

If you are working on a CAMEO...you can see that the registration marks are set up on a 12x12 area. But if you are like me, and I'm assuming most of you, you are only printing on an 8.5 x 11". If you do not adjust the registration marks, they will be cut off and therefore useless.   (See how the right reg mark is wayyy outside of the print border? That's a problemo!)


So....you can either manually move the right and bottom registration marks in and up in the Registration Marks window or from the Page Settings window (shown below) click "Current Printer" from the drop down menu.  This will automatically format the registration marks.

And now we're ready to print. 

Be sure your computer is connected to your regular printer and that you have paper in the paper tray.  Then click the 'Send to Printer' button and your design will print.   (And since I get asked a lot what type of printer I use...it's an HP PhotoSmart Wireless Printer/Scanner/Copier...really nothing special.)

You can see Silhouette Studio places some markings on the top corners and the bottom left corner.
These are the registration marks and they are what tells the Silhouette where to cut the design. 
Now we're ready for the fun part: Cutting!

Take your printed sheet and place it on the cutting mat so the registration marks are oriented exactly the same way they are in Silhouette Studio. Use the arrow on the virtual mat and the top of your mat to ensure everything is set up correctly. 

When your mat is prepared, click the 'Send to Silhouette' button in Studio.  At this point, usually you would load your mat and the cutting would begin, but for Print and Cut the machine will first find the registration marks.  (The below picture is of my Portrait which is why the mat is lined up on the second line, for CAMEO you want to aling with the left most marking)

After the registration marks are detected, the machine will begin cutting the design.

If the Silhouette has have trouble detecting the registration marks check out this tutorial for tips on print and cut troubleshooting. 

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine! 

Thanks for coming to class today at Silhouette School.  If you like what you see, I'd love for you to pin it!

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