How to sketch with a Silhouette plotter?

Where to start?

To start sketching, you need to get dedicated accessories or media. In the case of Silhouette plotters, these are the manufacturer's markers or a universal holder, allowing you to make original, repeatable patterns. If you have your favorite markers or fineliners in your collection, a universal holder will be a great solution. However, the manufacturer offers interesting sets of markers that contain not only a wide range of colors, but also glitter or neon markers. If you own the latest generation of plotters, it is also worth buying a set of adapters, which is not included in the set with the latest devices, but is necessary when using markers.

Designing a pattern

This is the first step if you want to make a sketch correctly with markers, regardless of whether you use manufacturer's markers or any markers in combination with a universal holder. Cutting plotters use vector graphics to work. This means that they move along lines connected by points that create shapes, so the inside of a given figure or sign is invisible to the plotter. This also applies to letters. If you have chosen a thicker font, it may be necessary to fill the letters with a sketch.

To fill a shape or letter with a sketch, select the "Open the sketch panel" option from the panel on the right in the program. Then select the shape or letter that you want to fill and choose one of the filling options.

Using the slider in the sketch window, you can thin or thicken the sketch lines. The more lines, the better the sketch will be filled, but it is also worth bearing in mind that the denser the filling, the longer the plotter's operating time. So it is worth matching the sketch filling to the medium you are using. In the case of thicker markers, the filling will require fewer lines.

Sketching

Manufacturer's markers

If you decide to buy Silhouette markers, you do not have to use the universal holder. The marker should be placed in the blue adapter. This applies to new generation plotters, i.e. Portrait 3, Portrait 4, Cameo 4, Cameo 5, and Curio 2. Older Silhouette plotters support markers without the need for an adapter.

Step by step

If you are sketching with a newer generation plotter, place the marker in the blue adapter. If you have an older plotter, skip this step. The adapter has been appropriately profiled to tightly embrace the marker and avoid shifting during sketching. After proper adjustment, the adapter should be closed carefully.

Place the prepared marker in the plotter carriage, in holder number 1. As in the case of mounting the blade, the holder should be opened, the marker placed inside, and then the holder should be closed.

You can start sketching. Depending on the pattern settings, the working time may vary. If you chose to fill, this may extend the process.

After you finish sketching, you can remove the sheet from the mat, or replace the marker with a blade and cut out the sketched shape.

Universal holder

The holder is available in three versions, Type A is designed for older models, Type B fits the Portrait 3, Portrait 4, Cameo 4, Cameo 5 and Curio 2 plotters. In the store, you can also find the Type C holder, dedicated to the latest models with a double carriage, i.e. for the Cameo 5 and Curio 2, and unlike the older models of this accessory, it is placed in the carriage holder number 2. This allows you to cut and sketch without having to replace the marker with a blade, or sketch with two colors of markers at the same time, if you buy the Type B and Type C holders and place them in both carriage holders. The manufacturer also declares the possibility of calligraphy using the latest holder if you use special markers for this purpose. To describe the use of the handle I will use the currently most popular version, the Type B handle.

Step by step

The holder comes with three adapters that allow you to use markers of different thicknesses. The blue adapter is for sketching with markers up to about 7mm in diameter, the white adapter is for sketching with markers up to about 9mm in diameter, while the gray adapter allows you to sketch with markers of about 11mm in diameter. After selecting the appropriate adapter for your marker, place it on it.

The next step is to place the marker with the adapter in the universal holder and tighten it so that it is immobilized for the duration of your work. Before sketching, remove the cover from the holder to expose the marker tip.

Place the marker prepared in this way in the plotter carriage and, as in the case of the manufacturer's markers, proceed to sketching.

You can then cut out the finished pattern. The universal holder allows you to use media from your collection without having to buy more markers. You can also try sketching with fineliners, felt-tip pens and other media.

What you can create

Sketching allows you to create decorative patterns on invitations, ornaments or repeatable inscriptions that will also look like handwriting. Using this solution allows you to achieve very natural effects, while guaranteeing precision and aesthetics that are often very difficult to achieve when working by hand. Sketching with a plotter will also speed up your work. To make inscriptions, you can use the previously mentioned filling, or use single-line fonts, which are great for sketching and gilding or embossing, because they do not require filling the inside of individual characters. You can find an article about linear fonts with sample fonts HERE.

I hope that sketching with a plotter will give you new possibilities and allow you to create even more beautiful designs!