What Should My Silhouette Blade Be Set At?

Choosing the right Silhouette blade setting can be daunting, especially if you’re new to cutting machine crafting. Silhouette blades are essential tools for many crafting projects and come in a range of settings, each designed for different materials and styles.

Blade Setting Types
The most common type of Silhouette blades fall into one of three categories: standard blades, deep-cut blades, and fabric blades. Standard blades are typically used for paper and cardstock projects, whereas deep-cut blades are made to cut through thicker materials like foam board and vinyl. Fabric blades are specifically designed for cutting through fabric without fraying the edges.

Blade Setting Numbers
Each type of Silhouette blade is associated with a number that indicates how deep it will cut into your material. The higher the number, the deeper the blade will cut.

Standard blade settings typically range from 1 to 10, with 1 being the shallowest and 10 being the deepest. Deep-cut blades range from 11 to 20, while fabric blades range from 21 to 30.

Choosing Your Blade Setting
When selecting your Silhouette blade setting, you should always consider what material you’ll be cutting first and foremost. If you’re working with thin materials like paper or cardstock, then a standard blade set between 1-3 will work best.

For thicker materials like foam board or vinyl, a deep-cut blade set between 11-15 should do the trick. And for fabrics like felt or cotton fabrics, you’ll need a fabric blade set between 21-25 to get an accurate cut without fraying or tearing the edges.

Conclusion: What Should My Silhouette Blade Be Set At?
The answer depends on what type of material you’re working with! For thin materials like paper or cardstock use a standard blade set between 1-3; for thick materials use a deep-cut blade set between 11-15; and for fabrics use a fabric blade set between 21-25 to get an accurate cut without fraying or tearing the edges.