How to Calibrate Silhouette Cameo 5? (Easy Steps)

Is your ‘Silhouette Cameo 5 Not Cutting Properly‘ or cutting materials incorrectly? If that’s the case, your machine needs calibration. But what is calibration? Calibration in Silhouette Studio helps restore the cutting blade’s performance and print alignment. There can be several causes for this issue, and not all are easy to identify. One reason I know is prolonged use of the machine.

It’s like when your computer slows down – you restart it. Similarly, the Silhouette Cameo 5 works better when properly calibrated. After calibration, it will run smoothly and cut precisely. So, here’s ‘how to calibrate a Silhouette Cameo 5 step-by-step‘.

Before you start, make sure you are in a bright room so the machine can read the registration marks. Stay patient, as calibration takes time.

Step 1: Open Silhouette Studio and Select Calibration

All calibration work will be performed using ‘Silhouette Studio Software‘. So, open it on your computer and follow the steps in the section below:

1. Go to the Send Panel at the top menu and right-click your machine’s name.
2. Select the Calibration option from the menu, from where you can start taking a test print and start calibration.

Step 2: Print a Test Page

Once you select the Calibration option, a ‘Print Then Cut’ calibration screen will appear. Now, follow these steps to continue.

1. Click the Print Test Page from the right side of the screen.
2. Now, select the print settings, such as your printer, and click Print.
3. Finally, the connected printer will print the test page.

Take that page for the next calibration steps.

Step 3: Load the Test Print on Cutting Mat

In this step, place the test print on the cutting mat and then insert it into the machine.

1. Select the “Load Cut Mat” option. Next, use your machine’s display to move the tools, such as the blade.
2. Now, the machine will recognize the registration marks and cut on the black printed lines. The cuts might not align perfectly, but they will be close.
3. Ensure that you cover all the lines printed by moving your blade from the machine’s display. It will give a good calibration result.

Step 4: Unload the Mat

Once you cover all the black crosses, tap the Unload button on the display to release the mat along with the test page.

Step 5: Adjust Using the Ruler in the App

It’s common for a Silhouette Cameo to fail to cut in the required area during the first calibration attempt. So, Silhouette Studio lets you use the ruler to match the cut lines with the printed lines.

1. On the ruler, you will see black lines as printed lines, and grey lines are the ones that are cut.
2. Check how close they are and whether they intersect.
3. If not, you can select the Exit Calibration option from the right side of the app.
4. Then, select the Distance Adjustment option from the right side.
5. After that, select the Cut Test Lines option.

You can do it on a new paper, or on the same sheet you have used earlier. Since you have unloaded the mat, you must load it by placing the test page on top of it.

Step 6: Measure the Cut With a Ruler

Use a ruler to measure the test cuts across the registration marks labeled A, B, 1, and 2. And then select the exact measurement on the app’s ruler.

Step 7: Calibration Again

Select Calibration again and insert the page into the machine. Let the machine cut the cross lines intersecting them. It’s great if the cuts are perfect; otherwise, you need to repeat the process until you get a satisfactory result.

That’s why this process takes time and requires patience.

Wrapping Up

Calibrating a Silhouette Cameo 5 is simple if you understand the steps. It may not be perfect on the first attempt, but with practice, you will get better at it. Everything you need is available in the Silhouette app for accurate calibration. So, if your machine is not cutting precisely, this is the right time to calibrate it and adjust its cutting settings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)