Using electronic cutter for card making

I have successfully removed some pretty detailed stuff from my Silhouette mats without tearing, but you need to either get the light hold mat or use an older mat or remove some of the tackiness from a new mat to do it. Just slow your speed, make sure your blade is good, and use the spatula to remove the cut. The Cricut spatula actually has worked much better for me than the Silhouette one because it's thinner and slides under stuff better.

Another option is to cut your sentiments from vinyl instead of cardstock. Vinyl is so much more forgiving when you are moving a thin cut from the mat to a project. The first time I cut a super-thin font with vinyl and it removed perfectly, I was very impressed. If you aren't familiar with using vinyl, be sure to get some transfer tape too. I hated vinyl for the longest time, because I was trying to move my cuts with press n seal to save money, as several bloggers recommended.

I know the Silhouette software will allow for use of any font on your computer, but I do love the fonts from their store and try to catch them on sale. The ones they design always cut really well for me. If you search the online store for scripty words, you will find several options as well. Another trick is to thicken the font by doing an offset once you get your words laid out like you want them. Sometimes thickening them slightly makes it easier.

If you have a Cameo, then you can use the offset feature to thicken fonts that are too thin. You can thicken them as much or as little as you want.

While I use my Cameo to make cards, most of the time I am using my stamps for the words and phrases.

I love fonts, have a huge collection, and have trouble choosing a favorite. I just type what I want in my Silhouette software, and with it selected, I scroll through the fonts till I find one I want to use.

I do use my Cameo for card making but mostly at Christmas. When I have 50+ of the same design it’s a whole lot easier to cut images and fonts with it rather than run a die through my Vagabond that many times. On the other hand, if I’m making a single card, do I really want to pull out my Cameo for a single cut? Not really unless it’s a design/font I have to use. I find that you have to be patient when lifting the design off the mat and I also prefer my Cricut spatula.