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The Silhouette Cameo 4 is a 12-inch desktop cutting machine capable of handling a wide range of materials, including vinyl, paper, fabrics, and cardstock.
It’s one of the latest additions to Silhouette’s line-up of die-cutting machines, providing significant improvements over its predecessors.
But how does it truly perform in day-to-day use? Let’s find out!
The Silhouette Cameo 4 is an excellent die-cutting machine for crafters. It can work with many materials, and the bundle option offers great value for your money.
It’s also fast and has a great deal of downforce to exert. Add the free tools that come with it, and you get yourself a well-rounded die-cutting setup.
The only downsides are the bulky design and noisy operation. The efficiency of the dual carriage is also somewhat questionable. Other than that, we have no complaints.
Pros:
Fast and powerful
Easy to use
Automatic tool detection
Can work with a wide array of materials
Offered in basic and bundle versions
Cons:
Large footprint
Noisy
Inefficient dual carriage
Speed and Force
Work speed is one of Cameo 4’s strongest selling points. This machine is at least 3x faster than its predecessor, the Cameo 3.
On top of that, it’s capable of exerting 20x the downward force of the previous edition, which just gives you an idea of the Cameo 4’s technological advancements.
Just make sure that you don’t max out the machine’s settings without ensuring that it’s actually suitable for the material you’re working with.
Built-In Roll Feeder and Cross Cutter
The Silhouette Cameo 4 is equipped with two essential tools that’ll make your job easier and more efficient: a roll feeder and a cross cutter.
The roll feeder enables you to attach a large roll of material and ensure that it’ll be guided as it should for accurate cutting. It’s particularly useful when you’re working on projects that require cutting over a long length.
Another useful tool is the cross cutter. This tool can be pretty handy when trimming off excess material to straighten your crafts.
Both of these tools aren’t always included with die-cutting machines. So you might need to buy them separately, but they won’t cost you much anyway.
Automatic Tool Detection
The Cameo 4 integrates a new smart dual carriage; it automatically detects what tool you’re using in it and adjusts the cut settings accordingly with no intervention from your side.
The sensors that make this possible are located on the automatic blade, the adapters, the kraft blade, and the punch tool.
Matless Cutting
With the Silhouette Cameo 4, you don’t need to use a mat when crafting your project. This means that you won’t be restricted by the size of your cutting mat when working with higher lengths of cut.
Connectivity
There are two ways to connect your Silhouette Cameo 4 to your computer: USB and Bluetooth. However, we find that the Bluetooth connectivity isn’t as reliable as USB, but you can try your luck with it and see how it performs.
What’s in the Box:
The Silhouette Cameo 4 is available in two offerings: standard and bundle. The box content of the standard option includes the following:
Silhouette Cameo 4 cutting machine
AutoBlade for Cameo 4
12-inch cutting mat
Four tool adapters
A/C adapter and power cable
USB cable
Handheld blade adjuster
And if you decide to opt for the complete bundle, you also get the following extras:
Vinyl starter kit
24 pack of pens
Heat transfer starter kit
An extra AutoBlade
120 exclusive designs to the Silhouette Design Store
Can I Use a Silhouette Cameo 4 Without a Computer?
No, you can’t use a Silhouette Cameo 4 without a computer, at least if you want to get the best results. It’s important that you carefully double-check your designs before making them come to life, and this can only be done using Silhouette’s software on your computer.
Also, keep in mind that your computer must run Windows 7 and upwards for PCs and OS 10.10 or higher for Mac to be able to download and install the software.
Do I Have to Pay For Silhouette Software?
No, you don’t. The Silhouette Software is available for free on the company’s website. However, you do have the option of upgrading to premium versions of the software if you need more features.
Which Is Better: A Silhouette or a Cricut?
While Silhouette’s machines are by no means bad, they still lag behind Cricut’s machines. This is because Cricut machines have been around for longer, so they have more tool choices available on the market.
Not to mention, Cricut machines are easier to use out of the box.
Can the Silhouette Cameo 4 Emboss or Engrave?
No, the Cameo 4 isn’t designed for embossing or engraving. These functions require special tools that aren’t compatible with the Cameo 4, so you’ll need a separate tool for them.
Final Verdict
So that was our take on the Silhouette Cameo 4 die-cutting machine. There are many perks that make it a good choice for crafters; it’s speedy, powerful, and doesn’t require a mat to cut lined materials. Plus, it can automatically recognize your tools. You can either get the basic Silhouette Cameo 4 package or opt for the bundle to load up on work materials. The price difference between the two isn’t significant, so we’d definitely recommend going for the bundle if your budget allows for it.
