Wednesday, November 20, 2013

How to get cleaner detail cuts with your Silhouette machine (+ free Eyelet Lace background cut file)


Thought I'd experiment to see just how finely-detailed cuts on my Silhouette machine 
could be. Turns out you can get quite a lot of small detail if you use a few little tricks.

eyelet lace background pattern - free cut file

So I've researched things a bit & here's what I found...

(How to get better detail cuts
with your Silhouette machine)

#1 - Use a smooth paper, like Neenah solar white cardstock, used here for the piece cut above. Or a lot of people seem to swear by American Crafts cardstock & other textured papers. If you want incredibly detailed cuts check this out.

#2 - Use a fairly new blade and be sure you aren't chipping it. Use a new-ish mat also.

#3 - Set it double cut to be sure you are getting all those little cuts & slow the speed down some.

#4 - Check your advanced settings, and change your packet size to 500; Here's some info from Kerri Bradford on that. You can experiment, perhaps 1000 bytes is better for you (as it was for Debbie).

#5 - Clean your blade very regularly, gently removing any built up pieces using a paint brush to prevent build up of paper bits. (If you use a pin or tweezers, do take care not to chip the blade.)

               And I've found that...

#6 - As a last resort, you can also tidy up any missed bits 'manually':

Clean up any missed cuts (in Silhouette files) using a paper piercer and or BasicGrey precision files

There were one or two tiny spots that didn't cut, so I used a paper piercer & BasicGrey precision files 
 to clean them up. It may take a little extra work, but it does seem worth it for really intricate cutting.
 


An Xacto blade (or hobby knife) is also a wonderful
tool to tidy up the odd little missed cut section.

free cut file


This Eyelet Lace background pattern is a cut file that I made and
thought I'd share as a freebie, in case any of you would like to use it:

eyelet lace background pattern - free cut file
Silhouette .studio cutting file here.



eyelet lace pattern A2 card size

114804-magic-marker-icon-arrows-arrow-dotted-DOWN
Download the free Eyelet Lace
.SVG cutting file here.


  This is my first .svg, so would you please let me know if it is not okay?
( I don't have Make The Cut or other software to test it out on... ) :-)


This digital work is offered up for free, but mainly for personal use & handmade sale items only.
Please do not use these to make digital papers or kits for sale & no mass produced items.
If you have any questions, please be sure to read my terms of use here. Or email me. Thanks!



Happy Creating!


P.S. Looking for cut files & tutorials? This is my Silhouette Pinterest board... the spot where I keep track of all the brilliant people out there, and amass free cut files for the silhouette (and other cutting machines). So much to learn!

10 comments:

Glennis F said...

Thanks for the great tips Mel. I will be back to look through your board - it's mind boggling!!

Artes de Nágela said...

Mel,
A hint to slow cuts to a silhouette decreased considerably the losses of parts and material waste. I was surprised with the result so positive that I am using my regular silhouette.
Thank you!
His admirer of Brazil!
Have a nice day!

ike said...

Hi Mel - thank you for this :-)
I found much better results after using a slower speed and if I am unsure with delicate stuff, the double cut always sorts it out.
I use Silhouette programes on my CraftRobo :-D

Hugz
IKE in Greece xxxx

My Challenge Blog: http://ikesworldchallengeblog.blogspot.com
My Shop: www.ikesart.com
My Blog: http://suzy-ikesworld.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

What a Great file!!!!! Thank you SO much for sharing it with us!!!!!

Unknown said...

I absolutely LOVE to see you posting again! I get so excited to see your name in my inbox. I hope you are well. I love your cut file and I totally agree with the girl who's link you shared. I have been using the DCWV Glitz glitter stock and it cuts unbelievably in my Silhouette and I am using the SD with a Cameo blade and Cameo mat (makes all the difference in the world). Thank so much for sharing your cut file. You totally rock!

linda from arizona said...

I use Cutter Glide on my blade. I've been using the same blade for 6 months now. Every time a cut gets a little rough, I swirl some Cutter glide on the blade and everything cuts smoothly.

Holly Young said...

Thanks Mel - great tips!

alexandra s.m. said...

How creative of you!
Thanks Mel ;)

Sue from Oregon said...

Thanks Mel! I have found that if I use the speed 1 on intricate cuts I have great results! I press cut and go do something else while I wait. Hmmm reading a comment about Cutters Glide...have you heard anything about that?

verybellemakes said...

Hi Mel - firstly thanks for these Silhouette tips - I'm still very much a beginner and these have come in very handy! Secondly, thank you so much for the lovely comments you recently left on my blog, made my morning :-) Hope you'll pop by again soon x