Silhouette Portrait Setup

Setting up a Silhouette Portrait machine at inventHQ

Step 1: Turn on the Machine

Press the power button on the right side of the machine to turn it on.

Step 2: Plug the Machine Into a Computer

Plug the usb cord from the machine into the computer you’re designing with.

Step 3: Prep the Cutting Mat

Remove the protective plastic sheet from the cutting mat.

Step 4: Place Your Material on the Mat

Place your material on the cutting mat. In the example, there is a piece of vinyl sticker material. Flip the mat over and ensure that the material is all the way aligned to the line that says ‘8.5 x 11’. Aligning the material to this line will help with printing.

Step 5: Double-checking Your Design

Next go into silhouette studio, and double-check that your planned design fits inside the material. You can use the squares on the cutting mat as a reference to the squares on your screen.

Step 6: Loading the Mat Into the Machine

Line the mat up with the green line on the machine that says ‘Align Here’. Make sure the mat is lined up all the way across and use your hand to hold it in place.

Step 7: Loading Into the Machine

Loading into the machine. While still holding the cutting mat against the edge, press the up arrow. The mat will roll into and get caught under the rollers. If the mat looks askew, press the down arrow and try again.

Step 8: Send Your Design

Sending your file. Click on send in the top left corner

Step 9: Sending Your File

Double-check that you are on the correct material. If cutting Heat transfer vinyl, double-check that you do not need to reflect your design. Check that the printer is connected. It should say ‘Available’. If it says anything else, make sure you click and select the printer from the list that says available. Click SEND, and the printer will start cutting your design.