Deleted
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May 19, 2024 9:40:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 19:04:36 GMT
I have tried so many times and failed. Tried again today. Found a font for my Silhouette - which always takes me forever because i don't know how to organize them in the SIlhouette software. Then I cut it 5 times to get a good cut. Then when I finally got it cut, I put it through the xyron sticker maker to get it to adhere. UGH! I hate that thing - it does a great job getting sticky stuff under the item, but also in between the intricate cuts of the item! Makes me want to scream when it ruins what took me way too long to cut. Any helpful advice on any of these items? I thought once someone posted about how to get the sticky web out from between the cuts before pulling it off the backing. Also, I think someone once also posted about how to clean the blade on the cameo. HELP!
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Post by mikklynn on Sept 23, 2016 19:10:05 GMT
After you run your item through the Xyron, emboss around the edges with an embossing tool or stylus before you pull apart the layers. link
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,770
Location: Kentucky
Jun 25, 2014 20:31:44 GMT
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Post by Kerri W on Sept 23, 2016 19:21:27 GMT
Toss the Xyron and use a fine point glue pen like this.Why do you have to cut so many times? Are you adjusting the blade setting for the type of paper, etc you are cutting?
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nylene
Drama Llama
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Jun 28, 2014 14:59:59 GMT
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Post by nylene on Sept 23, 2016 19:25:20 GMT
I use repositionable Xyron adhesive and always outline it with a stylus or pen before removing the top cellophane sheet. It becomes permanent after a couple of hours. The repositionable allows any of that stickiness around or between the letter to just be rolled up with a finger.
I have never used a Silhouette font. I just use what I have on my computer or go to dafont to find a new one. I choose fatter ones so that they cut well. I often use the offset tool on the Sil to make a background for the title.
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 9:40:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2016 23:13:24 GMT
Thanks all. Toss the Xyron and use a fine point glue pen like this.Why do you have to cut so many times? Are you adjusting the blade setting for the type of paper, etc you are cutting? Keri, I'm using this kraft cardstock that I don't remember where I bought, but it seems really thick and "furry". I think some of the fibers may be gunking up the blade housing. I will stop using it to cut, but it's so perfect for a title sometimes.
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Post by anniefb on Sept 24, 2016 0:11:34 GMT
Maybe try a different brand cardstock that cuts cleaner? Or do you need a new blade?
I don't use my xyron - I use liquid adhesive in a fine tip bottle (for very fine cuts) or just regular tape adhesive. The other thing you could try is adhering the double sided adhesive before you cut, but you'd need to play around getting the right settings for the slightly thicker material.
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Post by scrapincin on Sept 24, 2016 0:31:18 GMT
I read on Two Peas in a Bucket one time that American Craft cardstock cut the best with the Silhouettes and I have used it every since. You also have to make sure your carrier sheet is sticky enough and that your blade is cutting well. The Silhouette alphas are mixed in alphabetically with the other fonts in the list on the right side. If they are too thin you can use the offset tool and make them thicker. Here's video that tells you how to use the fonts on your Silhouette- TextHope this helps you.
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 9:40:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2016 1:13:53 GMT
Thanks you great people. I appreciate the help and encouragement. I think the problem is I go way too long between uses on the Silhouette and I have to relearn stuff.
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Post by cmpeter on Sept 24, 2016 3:04:03 GMT
I burnish (rub with my palm) the title while it's still under the carrier sheet and then trace it with a mechanical pencil or embossing stylist before pulling off the plastic cover sheet.
Some cardstocks are sucky for cutting. Hobby Lobby brand is particularly bad. I like Recollections, American Crafts or Bazzill. Definitely check to see if you are getting bits of paper "lint" stuck in your blade (unscrew the white end cap and blow it out). Also, make sure you don't have bits of paper creating bumps under your paper on your mat.
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Loydene
Pearl Clutcher
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Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Jul 8, 2014 16:31:47 GMT
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Post by Loydene on Sept 24, 2016 3:27:25 GMT
and when people say trace/outline around the edges - that means all edges - even the interior ones!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 24, 2016 3:58:41 GMT
Thanks all. Toss the Xyron and use a fine point glue pen like this.Why do you have to cut so many times? Are you adjusting the blade setting for the type of paper, etc you are cutting? Keri, I'm using this kraft cardstock that I don't remember where I bought, but it seems really thick and "furry". I think some of the fibers may be gunking up the blade housing. I will stop using it to cut, but it's so perfect for a title sometimes. I had a kraft colored paper that was like that. The color was perfect for my project but it was a BEAST to cut because it was so fibrous. What may help with paper like that (if you HAVE to use it) is to double cut the design, meaning go over the cut lines twice with the blade before peeling it off the mat. I also have to do this sometimes with colors of textured cardstock too, they just don't want to cut well no matter what. I'll also second ditching the Xyron. I use Tombow Mono Multi with the green top for all my titles and paper piecings and have for decades. It never comes apart. If you let it set up first initially it will be repositionable for a while. If you stick it down while the glue is wet, it dries very fast and will NOT come apart without the paper ripping. It holds forever. This glue has a tiny applicator nozzle on one end, and a wider spreader end on the other side. I almost always use the tiny side because you barely need any of this glue to hold your pieces together. If you do happen to get some where it doesn't belong, let it set up and dry and then go over the spot with an adhesive eraser square (a/k/a rubber cement pickup) and it will come right up.
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Post by infochick on Sept 24, 2016 4:36:46 GMT
After LOTS of frustration with cutting titles on my Silhouette, I can share what works for me...I second what Scrapincin said about making sure the font isn't too thin. I tend to buy fonts in the Silhouette store and look for some that will weld well, but that don't have the super thin bits. (ZP Xiphoid and SNF Party Script are two scripts that I have been using lately and both cut well, although they have a more casual feel than some script fonts.) I like things that will weld mostly so that I am not dealing with individual letters. Sometimes I will shift individual letters over as well to get them to join together in the design. As for paper, my LSS says that its all about finding a paper that doesn't have too many loose fibres, and that smooth cardstock tends to cut better than textured...for titles I like Recollections brand and American Crafts both (even though the latter is textured), but have cut Bazzill and others as well. I do find that I have to play around a bit to get the sweet spot for my machine with blade depth, speed, etc. If you are smarter than me you will write down these custom settings so that you know when you go to use the same brand of cardstock the next time For adhering, I just use a repositionable dot adhesive (similar to what Shimelle uses in her videos). It doesn't take a lot to make the title stick and its quick, easy and not too messy. That said, I don't have a Xyron, so that may be the better option for you. Good luck!
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Post by myboysnme on Sept 24, 2016 12:29:23 GMT
Thanks all. Toss the Xyron and use a fine point glue pen like this.Why do you have to cut so many times? Are you adjusting the blade setting for the type of paper, etc you are cutting? Keri, I'm using this kraft cardstock that I don't remember where I bought, but it seems really thick and "furry". I think some of the fibers may be gunking up the blade housing. I will stop using it to cut, but it's so perfect for a title sometimes. I use hermafix dotto removeable and run it across the the back of the thing and it sticks where you want it and doesn't stick where you dont - just wipe off the part that sticks to the table. Takes 5 seconds.
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Post by mikklynn on Sept 24, 2016 13:18:06 GMT
I burnish (rub with my palm) the title while it's still under the carrier sheet and then trace it with a mechanical pencil or embossing stylist before pulling off the plastic cover sheet. Some cardstocks are sucky for cutting. Hobby Lobby brand is particularly bad. I like Recollections, American Crafts or Bazzill. Definitely check to see if you are getting bits of paper "lint" stuck in your blade (unscrew the white end cap and blow it out). Also, make sure you don't have bits of paper creating bumps under your paper on your mat. I have a Cricut and I agree, the cardstock makes a big difference. I never use the the DCWV cardstock. I get fuzzy edges. In fact, I gave all of it to the grands to play with. I like Echo Park's double sided cardstock, as well as those listed above.
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Post by grammadee on Sept 24, 2016 13:51:16 GMT
When I am using a Xyron to apply glue, I burnish really thoroughly, then make sure I crumple the removed cellophane layer with sticky side OUT. Then I use that to dab the extra sticky off around what I have cut. DONT THROW IT AWAY YET! Then I remove the diecut(s), place them on my project, and dab around any sticky edges that remain.
Have never tried the stylus or pencil trick, but may have to give that a try!
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 9:40:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2016 19:04:02 GMT
So folks keep mentioning something on top of the sticker sheet. When my item comes out of the xyron in the back, it's only the waxy sticky bottom and the item I've made sticky. There is not top layer or cellophane. I have the 5 " model and use this roll of sticky: link
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Post by mikklynn on Sept 24, 2016 21:25:06 GMT
So folks keep mentioning something on top of the sticker sheet. When my item comes out of the xyron in the back, it's only the waxy sticky bottom and the item I've made sticky. There is not top layer or cellophane. I have the 5 " model and use this roll of sticky: linkInteresting! It must be the difference in machines. I have the 2" one. I've never seen the 5" machine in action. How do you like it?
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 9:40:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2016 0:42:26 GMT
So folks keep mentioning something on top of the sticker sheet. When my item comes out of the xyron in the back, it's only the waxy sticky bottom and the item I've made sticky. There is not top layer or cellophane. I have the 5 " model and use this roll of sticky: linkInteresting! It must be the difference in machines. I have the 2" one. I've never seen the 5" machine in action. How do you like it? Not at all. I should have gotten rid of it, but I just bought another roll :*( I think I will try to put some press and seal on it when it comes out of the machine - you all gave me that idea, mentioning a top cellophane layer. So, thanks!!
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Post by crazy4scraps on Sept 25, 2016 0:49:12 GMT
So folks keep mentioning something on top of the sticker sheet. When my item comes out of the xyron in the back, it's only the waxy sticky bottom and the item I've made sticky. There is not top layer or cellophane. I have the 5 " model and use this roll of sticky: linkThat's really weird. I'm sure I have every size Xyron except the 9" one, and every one I've owned and used has had the clear cellophane layer over the top of the piece when it comes out of the machine, otherwise wouldn't it completely gum up the rollers?
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Post by grammadee on Sept 25, 2016 6:00:26 GMT
Let us know @zingermack, how the press n seal works!
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Post by LisaDV on Sept 25, 2016 11:15:11 GMT
So folks keep mentioning something on top of the sticker sheet. When my item comes out of the xyron in the back, it's only the waxy sticky bottom and the item I've made sticky. There is not top layer or cellophane. I have the 5 " model and use this roll of sticky: linkI use 5" model all the time, and it even looks like what I put into my machine. I still get the clear top layer that I have to pull off of my pieces and then the pieces set on a white slick sheet.
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Post by mikklynn on Sept 25, 2016 11:52:44 GMT
Interesting! It must be the difference in machines. I have the 2" one. I've never seen the 5" machine in action. How do you like it? Not at all. I should have gotten rid of it, but I just bought another roll :*( I think I will try to put some press and seal on it when it comes out of the machine - you all gave me that idea, mentioning a top cellophane layer. So, thanks!! That might work. Great idea!
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Post by streetscrapper on Sept 25, 2016 12:52:07 GMT
So folks keep mentioning something on top of the sticker sheet. When my item comes out of the xyron in the back, it's only the waxy sticky bottom and the item I've made sticky. There is not top layer or cellophane. I have the 5 " model and use this roll of sticky: linkThat's really weird. I'm sure I have every size Xyron except the 9" one, and every one I've owned and used has had the clear cellophane layer over the top of the piece when it comes out of the machine, otherwise wouldn't it completely gum up the rollers? I have the 5" and the X and every refill I've bought has the cellophane top layer... are you loading it properly?
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 9:40:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2016 13:07:07 GMT
That's really weird. I'm sure I have every size Xyron except the 9" one, and every one I've owned and used has had the clear cellophane layer over the top of the piece when it comes out of the machine, otherwise wouldn't it completely gum up the rollers? I have the 5" and the X and every refill I've bought has the cellophane top layer... are you loading it properly? I don't know. I just kind of slide it in and it seems to work? The top layer is just going on one of the rollers I think, but not coming out the back w/the item I'm sticking.
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Post by grammadee on Sept 25, 2016 13:12:04 GMT
That's really weird. I'm sure I have every size Xyron except the 9" one, and every one I've owned and used has had the clear cellophane layer over the top of the piece when it comes out of the machine, otherwise wouldn't it completely gum up the rollers? I have the 5" and the X and every refill I've bought has the cellophane top layer... are you loading it properly? My X shaped sticker maker and the Creation Station both have the clear layer. I had an in between size that didn't on its refills. There was only one way to load it
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oaksong
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Location: LA Suburbia
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Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
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Post by oaksong on Sept 25, 2016 19:42:18 GMT
I have the X Xyron, which has the clear layer on top, and a 5" that does not. It may be older than the X model.
I trace the letters on the clear layer with a pencil before peeling it back, a tip that I learned here. That helps tremendously. I also use a rubber cement pickup square to get any remaining bits of glue.
I hope you get your problems figured out, OP. Cutting titles on the Silhouette is so fun. My favorite cardstock is Recollections from Michael's. It cuts like a dream, and the letters snap right out. Most of the time I will set it to double cut. If I'm using Bazill, I will double cut it twice. Save the Kraft paper for a die cutter. It's too fibrous fro the Silhouette, as others have mentioned. Take some time to get to know how to set the blade (in the software) for various papers. I have the original Silhiuette, and I have to redo my settings for my pink blade each time I open the program.
Good luck! You can do it!
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 9:40:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2016 13:55:56 GMT
Sometimes it's the littlest things. I finally bought one of those quilling glue bottles w/the super fine tip - way finer than the Tombow mono tip I sometimes used. It is amazing. I'm getting rid of the Xyron. Putting all my Tombow glue in the supper fine bottle and I think I'll be good to go. I'm only irritated w/myself that I tried so many other solutions vs. getting a silly $6 bottle. Thanks for listening and all the suggestions.
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Post by chaosisapony on Oct 2, 2016 17:03:15 GMT
Thanks you great people. I appreciate the help and encouragement. I think the problem is I go way too long between uses on the Silhouette and I have to relearn stuff. I have the same problem, it's frustrating! Years ago I bought a 5" Xyron and would run my titles and cuts through it, trace over the protective sheet with a pencil to sort of "cut" the adhesive. That works ok but it's still just more effort than I want to put in. So now I take my cut and use a big Zig glue pen (has about a 1 inch wide tip) and just press and smoosh the glue all over the back of the cut and stick it down. That works better than the Xyron ever did and it's way faster.
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tiffanytwisted
Pearl Clutcher
you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave
Posts: 4,538
Jun 26, 2014 15:57:39 GMT
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Post by tiffanytwisted on Oct 4, 2016 16:22:57 GMT
I have the 5" Xyron and mine does not have the clear top layer like the X box does. OK, technically I suppose it does have the clear layer, but it gets wrapped around a spool and doesn't come out on top of the finished product like the X. While I bought mine a few years ago (so it's not what I would call new), the refills seem to be the same as the ones I used w/my original (that I bought over 10 years ago) before I broke it. Interesting how some have the cellophane on top and others don't. Wonder why that is . . . When I am using a Xyron to apply glue, I burnish really thoroughly, then make sure I crumple the removed cellophane layer with sticky side OUT. Then I use that to dab the extra sticky off around what I have cut. DONT THROW IT AWAY YET! Then I remove the diecut(s), place them on my project, and dab around any sticky edges that remain. Have never tried the stylus or pencil trick, but may have to give that a try! While I've done the stylus trick, I've never tried this, so thanx for the tip! Of course, this will only work w/my X, lol.
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Post by Basket1lady on Oct 4, 2016 17:09:13 GMT
I'm 90% sure your fibrous paper is causing you bad cuts. The blade can drag along those little bits. Then it drags the letter out of place, then it cuts over the letter... It's a freakin nightmare. Get yourself a pack of the cheap paper sold at Michael's in packs of 50. It's crazy cheap and cuts really well. And you can get a lot of colors for only $10. Life is too short to cut with crummy paper.
As for the blade-check to make sure there isn't any sticky residue on the bottom plastic part that runs over the mat. Then unscrew that part-it's only about 1/8" of a cap. If there is any debris in there, clean it out. When you cut, you only want to cut into the mat the littlest amount. Too deep of a cut will drag the blade, dull it, cut into the mat, and cause ragged cuts. Test before using a new brand of paper and keep a sticky note on your machine of your blade settings. Kraft paper can be thicker than others and have more fibers, so you may need to do a double cut with that and slow down the blade speed. Especially if you are doing letters.
Lastly, make sure your mat is clean and has good stick. The finer your cuts, the better the mat needs to adhere to the paper.. You can't have those little bits wiggling around next to where the blade is cutting. Otherwise, it will just pull the paper rather than cut it. I buy my mats on Amazon. A mat will last me about 6 months and a blade about a year. But I do use my Cameo a lot!
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