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In the past few decades, the crafting world has experienced an amazing breakthrough. It came in the form of desktop die-cutting machines designed to create and print a variety of crafting materials from the comfort of home. Now, nearly every crafter has one and couldn’t imagine working without it.
The Silhouette Cameo 2 is one version of these wonderful machines. It was first advertised that it was available for purchase in 2014 and is still a favorite amongst crafters. Its longevity and success can be attributed to its ease of operation, its inexpensive replacement parts, and its clever functions and features.
If you are looking into getting a die-cutting machine of your own, then the Silhouette Cameo 2 review is just for you. Let’s look a little more in-depth at this machine to help you decide whether or not this particular model will be the best for you.
Things to Consider
When you are looking for a die-cutting machine, you should take some time to consider how you plan to use it. If you know what types of projects you are going to design and print, it will help you find the machine that works best with particular materials and projects.
Here are a few basic questions to answer as you consider purchasing a die-cutting machine.
What Materials Do You Plan to Use Most Frequently?
The Silhouette Cameo 2 is an excellent machine, but it is not powerful enough to cut through every type of material. It works best when used on thinner materials, such as:
- Paper up to 350 GSM thick
- Vinyl
- Iron-on transfers
- Thin chipboard
- Craft foam
Fortunately, the Silhouette machines are designed to allow users to make multiple passes when they cut out projects. If you do end up using thicker material, just select this feature.
How Skilled Are You at Designing?
The Silhouette Cameo 2 is perfect for professional designers, entrepreneurial fashionistas, or clever experimentalists. Whether you have a degree in design or simply want to play around with a project, this machine will be a great assistant. Let’s explain how that can be.
This machine will allow users who have design skills to scan and print their own works of art.
This machine will allow users to purchase artwork from their Design Studio and import it for use. The studio also gives out free designs. Anything you purchase from the Silhouette Design Studio is stored on the cloud for easy access.
This machine will allow users to find artwork online and download it for use.
What Projects Do You Plan to Make?
If you know what types of projects you plan to create often, it can help you decide if a die-cutting machine is going to work for you or not. Some things to consider are:
The size of your project
The Silhouette Cameo 2 cuts out projects that are up to 12” wide. There are ways to cut designs that are larger than the cutting mat, but you will have to decide if you prefer tweaking the design or getting a different die-cutting machine altogether.
The type of your project
The Silhouette Cameo 2 is excellent for designing many different types of projects. Below are some of the great ways to use this machine.
As you can see, this particular die-cutting machine can do almost anything you can think of. Your creativity level will certainly be taken up a notch if you own one.
What Level of Customer Service Do You Need/Want?
If you are a designer who enjoys having access to plenty of resources, help, and inspiration, then the Silhouette Cameo 2 is going to fit right into your life. Access any of these online communities listed below to get your questions answered or your creative juices flowing.
If you don’t find what you are looking for, you can always get on YouTube or Pinterest to search for more ideas.
Key Features
Now that we have gone through the basics of what to look for in a die-cutting machine and if it is the right one for us, we can look more thoroughly at the specific features of the Silhouette Cameo 2. Let’s take an even closer look at what this machine offers.
Touch Screen
The touch screen on the Silhouette Cameo 2 allows it to be used without connecting it to a computer. It can be used to very simply navigate the setup and the printing of a project.
Pixscan Mat Compatible
This feature is amazing and should definitely be taken into consideration when looking for a die-cutting machine. To use the Pixscan mat:
- Place the paper with the image you want to cut between the lines of the mat
- Snap a photo of the paper with your phone
- Send the photo to your computer
- Find the photo on your Silhouette Design Studio Software
- Calibrate your phone if necessary
- Insert your uploaded photo onto the virtual mat
- Edit on the virtual mat
- Cut out the image
Sketch Pens
This feature allows users to draw on paper rather than cut out paper. Use the sketch pens available with this machine to print words or pictures for greeting cards, garden tags, or wall décor. Whatever you want to design and print with ink is available with this feature.
Cutting
The ability to cut out words and figures is the main feature of any die-cutting machine, and the Silhouette Cameo 2 does this beautifully.
Scan & Cut
This feature allows users to scan an image into the Silhouette Design Studio with a scanner, edit it, and then cut it out for use.
An Overall Assessment
So far, we have looked at what the Silhouette Cameo 2 can do, what its key features are, and how to determine if this is the machine for you. In our final examination of this die-cutting machine, we will take a broad look at its good and bad qualities and compare them side-by-side.
Pros
- Great customer support provided
- Attached to a large community of users who share creative ideas and help with troubleshooting
- Includes a cutting mat
- Includes cutting blades
- Includes LCD touchscreen
- Includes a storage compartment for extra blades and tools
- Includes power and USB cables
- Includes Silhouette Studio Software
- Includes free design downloads from the Silhouette Studio
- Includes a removable cross cutter blade to slice large rolls of vinyl or paper
- Replacement blades available for purchase
- Sketch pens available for drawing and sketching
- Pixscan Mat available for quick and easy image scanning and editing
- Replacement Mats available for purchase
Cons
- The optic sensor is not easy to operate
- It can be difficult to learn how to use
- The size of the machine can make it difficult to store
- Some users have stated that their machine was delivered defective
- Some users have stated that the blades did not cut vinyl correctly
Compare & Contrast
Sometimes the best way to learn a new concept or to investigate an object is to compare and contrast it against something else. To help you with your investigation of the Silhouette Cameo 2, let’s spend some time comparing it to some similar die-cutting machines.
Once you have looked at these machines, you should be able to make an educated decision on which to purchase for yourself.
Silhouette Cameo 4
This is a more updated version of the Silhouette Cameo 2. Even with all its new contraptions, it has still not managed to make its older version obsolete. Let’s look at some of its key features, as well as, its pros and cons.
From there, you can make your decision on which version of the Silhouette Cameo is for you.
Key Features
- Includes a 12” X 12” cutting mat
- Includes a blade that automatically adjusts to the material being cut
- Includes 4 tool adapters that allow you to use blades and tools from other Silhouette machines
- Includes a built-in cross cutter
- Includes a built-in roll feeder
- Come with a 1-year warranty
- Includes basic Silhouette Studio Software
- Has Bluetooth capabilities
- Includes a power adapter and USB cord
Pros
- Can cut material up to 24” in width
- Rollers are easy to adjust and have been updated to accommodate a bigger machine
- Cuts material up to 3x faster than the Cameo 3
- Auto-detects which tool is in the carriage and adjusts its setting accordingly
- Its Type B Autoblade reduces the number of times the blade needs to tap before cutting
- Its mat loading sensor assists in keeping the larger mats straight when feeding them into the machine
- The retractable lid makes storing it in an area with low overhead clearance an option
- The Silhouette Studio is easy to update via Bluetooth or a USB cord
Cons
- Only includes a blue sketch pen; other colors must be purchased separately
- Type A tools cannot be used on this machine
- Tools cannot be used interchangeably in each carriage
- It does not contain a tool storage compartment
- It cannot cut a 24” x 150’ roll of vinyl due to the weight of the roll
- There is no input for a USB thumb drive
- It is a large machine that takes up a lot of desktop space
- Some users have stated that the Bluetooth range on the machine is small
Summary
Is the Silhouette Cameo 4 the die-cutting machine for you? Consider how the key features could help you use the machine, where you plan to store it, and if the cons are going to work against your plans for the machine.
Brother ScanNCut Electronic DIY Cutting Machine
This is a heavy-duty die-cutting machine. Not only will it assist the crafter who wants to create unique stencils and decorative flourishes with paper and vinyl, but it can also assist with projects using thicker materials such as balsa wood.
Key Features
- Contains an Auto Blade that senses the thickness of the material being cut
- Can cut materials up to 0.1” thick
- Can be used to design, scan, and cut projects
- Reduced noise
- Includes built-in patterns for immediate use
- Access free online projects
- Includes a 5” LCD color display
- Includes built-in storage
Pros
- It is both a scanner and a cutter in one machine
- Cuts thick materials
- The device adjusts for the thickness of materials automatically
Cons
- The machine does not come with a manual; it must be accessed online
- If the blades are installed incorrectly, the machine will not function well
- Finding mats to fit the machine is a difficult task
Summary
Is the Brother ScanNCut the die-cutting machine for you? Will its thick-cutting capabilities be the answer to your crafting needs, or will you find it is too much of a load to carry?
Cricut Explore Air 2
This cute little machine is also very speedy. It is known for being one of the fastest cutting machines on the market. Let’s look at it a little closer to find out if speed is all it has to offer.
Key Features
- Offers a fine point blade for use with lightweight and midweight materials
- Offers a bonded fabric blade for use with lightweight fabrics (think appliques)
- Offers a deep-point blade to cut materials up to 1.5mm thick
- A cartridge adapter allows you to use cartridges from other Cricut machines
- Contains multiple storage compartments
Pros
- Offers plenty of online resources
- Offers online customer service
- Easy to learn
- Can be used to make a variety of designs
- Can be used to cut a variety of materials
- Is an affordable option
Cons
- It cannot cut as many types of materials as other models
- The design software attached to this model runs slow
- It cannot cut anything larger than 12” wide
Summary
Is the Cricut Air 2 the perfect die-cutting machine for you? If you don’t work a lot with big, thick, and heavy materials, then this may be just what you are looking for.
FAQs
Question: Do You Need the Internet to Use the Silhouette Cameo 2?
Answer: As long as you are accessing designs that are in your computer library or on the Silhouette Studio, you do not need an internet connection.
Question: Can You Use an iPad with the Silhouette Cameo 2?
Answer: Unfortunately, this model is not compatible for use with an iPad. The Silhouette Cameo 3 and 4 versions are, however.
Question: What Can You Create with the Silhouette Cameo 2?
Answer: This machine can be used to create so many things that it would make an unbelievably long list. Here are a few projects to check out just to get you thinking of what you will make with your Silhouette Cameo 2.
• Temporary tattoos
• Gift boxes
• Etched glass
If you need more ideas, try searching Pinterest or YouTube.
Concluding Thoughts
There is no doubt that the Silhouette Cameo 2 is an excellent choice when it comes to a die-cutting machine. If you opt for this particular machine, you won’t be disappointed. The most difficult decision you have in front of you is to decide what you are going to create first. And that, dear crafting friend, is the way it should be.
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