How to Use the Silhouette Heat Pen in Curio 2 for Beginners

If you're new to using the Silhouette Heat Pen in the Curio 2, I'll take you through the process to foil step by step. 

When using the heat pen in the Curio 2, you can add foil to materials and items that are up to 20mm thick thanks to the high clearance. Read on for how to use the Silhouette foil heat pen.

Silhouette Curio 2: Everything to Know (And Is There More We Don't Know About Yet?)

The long anticipated Silhouette Curio 2 is just weeks away...and is among the new 2023 Silhouette machines!

 
The second generation Silhouette Curio is one of four new cutting machines Silhouette announced for release in 2023. You can find all the details on the CAMEO 5 and CAMEO 5 Plus, including pricing, release date, and a features list here. If you’re interested in what the Curio 2 features are, when it will be available and more...read on! 

If you're looking for a complete Silhouette Curio 2 unboxing and set up, you can find that here.

Silhouette Curio vs CAMEO (or Portrait)

I've had my Silhouette Curio now for several weeks so I'm slowly beginning to see more and more major (and minor) differences between it and the CAMEO and Portrait.  If you read my first impressions of the Curio (not quite a review) you know we got off to quite a rough start.

This post, however, isn't about what I like and don't like about the Curio, it's just about straight up facts so you can decide if you need to add a Silhouette Curio to your crafting tool belt.

Silhouette Curio vs Curio 2: Side By Side Feature and Process Comparison

With the release of the second generation Curio, let's take a look at the Silhouette Curio 2 vs Curio 1. 

The two machines look very different, but what about the "guts" of the machine and the features and capabilities? Even the Curio 2 dimensions are drastically different than the original Curio.  If you haven't yet read all the details on the Silhouette Curio 2, you can find them in this post. 

Read on for a direct side by side feature comparison of the Curio 1 and 2. 

New Silhouette Power Tools Explained and Machine Compatibility (And What’s That Hidden Door)

Along with the launch of four new Silhouette machines, Silhouette also announced the release of five new power tools that an be used with the next generation machines: Silhouette Curio 2, CAMEO 5, and Portrait 4.

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about the power tools including what are they, what machines can the new Silhouette tools be used with, how do they work…and of course will the Silhouette power tools work in the Silhouette CAMEO 4, original Curio and other older machines? 

Read on for all the details...and check out the accompanying video to get your first look at the Silhouette Power Tools.

How to Stipple with Silhouette Curio (for Beginners)

One of the features of the Silhouette Curio is its ability to stipple.   The stipple effect leaves a bunch of tiny dots rather than a cut line, resulting in a pretty cool effect.   With more and more Sil users getting the Curio I thought it was about time I share a basic 101 tutorial on how to stipple with the Silhouette Curio.

Silhouette Curio for Beginners: A Great First Curio Project

I know all you new Curio owners have been waiting for a Silhouette Curio beginners tutorial so today I'm happy to share one with you!  Weekly Silhouette School contributors and my go-to paper girls, Becky and Glenna from My Paper Craze are here with an intro to the Curio.

Silhouette Curio Being Discontinued

Silhouette School has learned, the Silhouette Curio machine is being discontinued. 

Silhouette School has confirmed the flat bed Silhouette machine with a cult-like following by crafters who like to etch, engrave, and emboss will be phased out and manufacturing is expected to end in 2021. 

Silhouette Curio: First Impressions

As you may know if you follow along with Silhouette School on Facebook, Instagram, or Periscope I got my hands on the Silhouette Curio on Tuesday.  I've had about a full day to play with it and so I thought I'd give you my first impressions.
 
By no means should this be considered a Silhouette Curio review - it's not. I haven't had nearly enough time with it to offer that - yet. I will. For now this is me as a new user, just like you will be, if you decide to get a Silhouette Curio. This is me knowing the Silhouette Studio software inside and out and this is my honest first impression of the Silhouette Curio. 

First off - you should know the biggest differences in the Silhouette CAMEO vs Curio are the Curio's focus is in embossing, stippling, and etching all with larger clearance for thicker materials, a dual carriage for tools with a much smaller cutting area.  The CAMEO's focus is more on cutting a wide variety of materials with a larger cutting area. 

New Silhouette Machines 2023 (CAMEO 5, Curio 2, Portrait 4 and Mobile Software Updates)

The excitement around the Silhouette CAMEO 5 and Silhouette Curio 2 continues...so I thought I'd share some additional photos of the new Silhouette CAMEO products announced for the Fall of 2023.

It's important to realize that while the Silhouette CAMEO 5 features have been announced it's a whole lot of information for me to get organized so your best bet is to watch my Quick First Look Video here (as soon as it finishes uploading with this SLOW wifi!. 

Silhouette School is among a small group invited to the Silhouette Summit to see brand new CAMEO 5, Portrait 4 and Curio 2 in person and in action. 

Embossing on Cardstock with Silhouette Curio: Wide vs Fine Tip

Today we're talking all about embossing with the Silhouette Curio!  Silhouette School weekly contributor Becky put the Curio's embossing capabilities to the test and she's here with the results!  

We'll be the first to admit that we've been a little hesitant in using the new Curio. I just love my Cameo so much, I can't even imagine how the Curio could top all these amazing capabilities that I'm already used to. One tool that just keeps playing round and round in my mind is the embossing, especially since I'm a paper crafter at heart. 

Testing the CURIO Embossing Tips in the Silhouette CAMEO

Every time I mention the Curio blades and tips on the blog or on Silhouette School's social media sites I get questions about whether or not they can be used in the CAMEO and/or Portrait.  The fact of the matter is the Curio tips and blades can physically fit in the Silhouette CAMEO and in the Portrait. However, it's more about how they perform in those machines than their size - and it's not all about the blades, you have to consider the mats as well.

Regular Silhouette School contributor, Becky from My Paper Craze, is here this week with the results of testing the CURIO embossing tips in the Silhouette CAMEO. 

Secret to the Best Emboss with Silhouette Curio

Many Silhouette owners purchase the Curio to use to cut and emboss paper for scrapbooking and card making. To get the most defined emboss on cardstock, the trick is to score first, then emboss...twice. The Silhouette Curio's dual carriage make this two-step processes one.

New Silhouette Machines and Software Updates and Upgrades

By now you've heard that Silhouette America will release two new machines later this year along with the ability for mobile editing in Silhouette Studio. Dozens of new Silhouette-brand products - including new cutting materials and deep cut blades - to use with the current Silhouette SD, CAMEO and Portrait machines will also be released. The details on those products are really limited but they could be out this summer.

Neither the Silhouette Curio or Mint are meant to replace the current machines. Instead, they're meant to accompany it - and because of their functions, they're especially attractive to paper crafters like our regular contributors Becky and Glenna from My Paper Craze. For that reason, I'm going to let my go-to paper experts explain more about the big news!

Silhouette Blades...Which Blade to Use When, Why, How?

I get a lot of questions about which Silhouette CAMEO Blade is best to use...there's not one standard answer as it will all depend on the type of material you're cutting, the design, and the Silhouette machine you're using.  Personal preference also comes into play!

So here's the lowdown on the Silhouette blades and tips that you can use with the die cutting machine.  By the way - you can click on any of the blade names to purchase...doing so supports Silhouette School blog (so I truly appreciate it!)

Cutting Polymer Clay with Silhouette CAMEO or Curio: Step by Step for Beginners

Is there anything the Silhouette CAMEO or Curio can't do? I'm thrilled to share with you some tips on how to cut Polymer Clay with Silhouette Curio or CAMEO today.


 
Mags Bowman is an expert in this little niche and she's here today to share with you pretty much everything you need to get started using your Silhouette Curio or Cameo to cut polymer clay.

Silhouette Curio Beginner Projects Book! Silhouette School Release 4th Book

So I birthed another baby...or so it felt like it.  If you saw over on Instagram last week, I have published my fourth book and this one is for all the Silhouette CURIO users!   I'm so thrilled to introduce you to the "Beginner Curio Project Tutorials to Get You Cutting, Sketching, Etching, Embossing, and Stippling Now". 

Silhouette Heat Pen Won't Power On? Here's How

If your Silhouette Heat Pen won't power on...don't worry! There's most likely a good reason...and easy fix. 

Simply placing the powered heat pen into the Silhouette Curio 2, CAMEO 5 or Portrait 4 won't provide power to the foil pen. Read on for how to get power to the heat pen. 

Turn Sketch Fonts into Cuttable Fonts in Silhouette Studio

I don't buy a whole lot of designs or fonts from the Silhouette Studio library - but there's one thing I will buy and that's sketch fonts and that's because these single line fonts are SUPER useful!

Not only are the Silhouette sketch fonts ideal for using with Silhouette Sketch Pens because they draw in a single line instead of as an outline, but they can actually be used as cut-able fonts too!

Fix! Silhouette Heat Pen Tool Settings Not Found Error (Works for Other Tools Too)

If you're trying to use the Silhouette heat pen (or other tool) and no matter what default material you select, you're getting the dreaded "Settings Not Found" error.  Fear not. 

You'll need to create your own custom settings to resolve the error and I'm here to walk you through.