The Silhouette Cameo 4 is the hottest cutting machine in the market today. What I want to find out is whether this is merely hype because of good marketing, or if it is a good product as many people suggest.
In this Silhouette Cameo 4 review, I will do a run-down of this cutter. I will discuss its features, pros and cons, and others. In the end, I am hoping that you will use this review as a guide so you can make an informed decision.
What is the Silhouette Cameo 4?
The Silhouette Cameo 4 is a cutting tool. The people who use this are artists who need to cut vinyl for stickers and décors. You can also use this to cut cardstock, fabric, and other materials. It is a 12-inch cutting machine that uses electricity and computer technology to make precise cuts.
Why use it?
Well, because it offers several benefits. For one, it cuts precisely. It also cuts faster. in essence, the tool delivers better efficiency and effectiveness compared to using scissors and manual cutters.
Here are some of its benefits:
- Has high downward pressure to make the blade cut accurately and with more power
- Has a dual tool carriage
- Built-in cross cutter and roll feed
- Has Bluetooth connectivity; no wires required to connect with your PC
This product is for artists who make personalized crafts. It allows for the standardization of your products without having to spend so much time in the cutting process. In the next section, I will discuss its features in more detail.
Features of the Silhouette Cameo 4
Why should you buy this product? Are there features here that you need? Let us take a look!
Up to 5kg of downward force – this is an important physics in cutting. If you have seen huge cutting machines in a printing press, you will understand why. The force is what helps the blade cut the material precisely.
3x the speed of the Cameo 3 – the movement of this model is faster than its predecessor. If you think of printers, there are printers that take a few moments to print coloured picture. Some can do it faster. The same principle applies here. the faster it moves, the faster you can cut and complete your projects.
Can cut fabric without stabilizer backing – some cutters will back up if the blade meets a fabric. This is problematic, as you cannot get an accurate cut with them. This one has a design that prevents the stabilizer from moving backwards, even if the material you are cutting is a soft cloth.
Built-in pull-out roll feeder – this is an important component so you can hang the roll of your vinyl or cloth materials. Some versions can accommodate 60 feet while the others can accommodate 150 feet of a material roll.
Auto-blade – one thing you will love is the auto-blade that operates in just one tap. Just tap it once to reset to 0. You also have the option to make the changes if you tap twice or more. If you want the depth blade to get deeper, then tap twice. What this does is it reduces the time it takes to set up the blade before you cut.
Dual Tool Carriage – this is a feature where you can insert two tools at once. It is not just dual, but it is also smart. It can detect the tool that is in the carriage. After that, the machine automatically changes the cutting settings to fit the tool that is in use.
Built-in cross cutter – this is something that you will see at the back. You do not need this in all cuts, but it is important if you are cutting vinyl. What is its function? It trims the vinyl at the very end of the cut, giving you a better cutting finish.
Advanced software – this model comes with software called Silhouette Studio. You can install this on your computer and then connect the PC with the cutter via Bluetooth. From the computer, you can select which cutting style you want. Once you place the right tool in the carriage and your material, y can begin cutting.
The speed and cutting power of this tool depends on two types of motors in the cutting machine. It is a positive concept, but can also be a drawback.
Each motor was designed for specific tools only. What this means is that you cannot interchange where the tools go. Because there are two motors, you can perform powerful cuts on some materials and cutting styles, but you will have to make do with the results from the less powerful motor.
Overall, these features are a welcome addition and improvement to Cameo 3. This new model really ups the ante, and I can say that it is competitive enough against other brands out there.
Pros and Cons of the Silhouette Cameo 4
Here are the pros:
Professional – this is a professional tool and it is far better than its predecessor. It has the power to deliver 5 kilograms of downward force, and it has a single-tap auto-blade that adjusts the depths for your projects.
- Built-in accessories – this one has a built-in cross cutter and roll feeder. Both of these are important for cutting materials. The cross-cutter is an essential component to cut the end of the vinyl to make it smooth.
- Versatility – this one has a new dual carriage, which means it can handle other accessories and tools. The package includes four blade adapters. The manufacturer also knows that you will need the auto-blade, so it comes with the package. The auto-blade makes the machine compatible with older tools from the same brand.
- Comes with software – the software has dramatically improved over the years. One can say that the software is one of the best in the market. It was also designed in such a way that both beginners and experts will find it easy to use.
The machine also comes in different colours. You have the option t buy a black one or a white one. There is also a blush-pink version if you want that.
Here are the cons:
- Efficiency – even if this model uses a dual carriage, it is not as efficient as one would wish it to be. The problem with this model is that you have to manually replace the tools. In the previous version, this was not necessary.
- Not as good as a top competitor – it is not as good as the Cricut. It is a little clunky.
These two cons should not deter you from buying the product. It works and the maker has certainly made several improvements to the product.
Summary: Silhouette Cameo 4 Review
Overall, I can say that this product is as good as what people say. It delivers cutting edge technology for cutting vinyl and other materials. I like that it has a built-in roll feeder, and it can accommodate a roll of up to 60 feet in length.
I do not recommend this to a hobbyist. It is costly, and you will do better with a cheaper product if you are only making stickers as a hobby. However, I strongly recommend this to a person who has a sticker-making business.