Silhouette CAMEO 4 Matless Cutting Tutorial (with Print and Cut option)

The Silhouette CAMEO 4 offers a matless cutting feature which allows you the option to cut unlined materials - like paper - without a cutting mat.

This CAMEO 4 matless cutting tutorial will walk you through how to set up to cut without a cutting mat both in the software and on the machine.

The Silhouette machines have always been able to cut lined materials like vinyl and HTV without a cutting mat.  But the ability to cut unlined materials - those not on a carrier sheet or liner - is new and only an option with the CAMEO 4.

How Does the Matless Cutting  Feature Work

Matless cutting works by a variable amount of force being applied as the blade cuts around a shape. Small areas where less force is applied are essentially perforated and not cut keeping the die cut from "falling out".

When the cutting is complete the shape can be popped out.  On certain, but not all, materials like paper the perforated areas can create small tabs and not a completely clean, crisp cut line.

Benefits of Matless Cutting on CAMEO 4 

There are several benefits to matless cutting on the CAMEO 4.  Not having to load and unload paper onto a cutting mat before and after cutting saves two steps in the process.  You also aren't at risk for your paper curling or tearing due to the sticky mat.  For heavy materials, like magnet material, matless cutting means much less risk of the material slipping around while cutting since it's under the rollers and on a cutting mat.

How to Set Up Matless Cutting

Now that you understand how matless cutting works, let's get it set up.  I am working with printable magnet sheets from Online Labels.  Again, matless cutting is a great option for this heavy material as it is often a challenge to get it to stay in place on a cutting mat while cutting.

Setting Up the Silhouette Studio for Matless Cutting

In Silhouette Studio start in the Design Area.  From the Page Set Up Panel select the CAMEO (Auto) as the machine. Change the cutting mat to None and change the material size to Printer.

Add your designs to the work area. Since I am working with the Online Labels Printable Magnet Material, I am setting this up as a print and cut adding both the designs and registration marks. 

PRINT and CUT OPTION: For print and cut with matless cutting you need to move the bottom registration mark UP so the bottom of the sheet does not come out from under the rollers while the sensor is trying to find the bottom registration mark.

Using the Print tool along the Quick Access Toolbar to print to your home printer.

Setting Up the CAMEO 4 Machine for Matless Cutting

Move to your cutting machine.

Start by powering your CAMEO 4 on and connecting it by USB or Bluetooth to your computer.

Place the Autoblade in the left tool carriage (Carriage 1).

Flip the roller bar lever down so the bar raises.

Move the right roller into the middle set of grooves by pressing the roller lock button down and sliding the roller.  Return the roller bar lever up so the bar and rollers go back down.

Gently place the edge of your material against the rollers and click the up arrow on the CAMEO 4 touch panel to draw in your material.

Turning on the Matless Cutting Feature in the Send Panel 

In Silhouette Studio move to the Send panel.

Ensure the correct cutting machine has been selected from the machine list. Once this is selected, the software will update with the tool that's in the tool carriage.

Change the material in the Material list - in this case Magnet Material, Printable. 

To the right of the recommended cut settings, click "More."

Click the CAMEO 4 tab and then select "On" for the Matless Cutting option. Since this is a beginner tutorial don't change the default matless options.

Click the X at the top of this panel to return to the standard Send panel.

Now you're ready to Send the job to cut.

If you're performing a print and cut, like I am, your machine will first look for the registration marks and then re-set before beginning the cutting process. Check out this video to see how Silhouette CAMEO 4 matless cutting works. Those mini taps you hear mid-cut are when less force is being applied to create the tabs to hold the material in place.

When the cutting is finished you can unload the material and pop out your cuts.

You can see no tabs were left with this Online Label printable magnet sheets and I am left with perfect custom magnets!

How to Turn Off Matless Cutting

If you want to turn OFF the matless cutting option form the Send panel, select the material and then click "More." Scroll down and select "Off" rather than Auto or On.

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!

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