Are you looking for a portable vinyl cutter? If you want to invest some money in crafts and supplies, you should make sure that you buy the latest and newest model. Especially when you are buying something technical, you always need a quality product. Let me tell you about the best Silhouette Cameo machine in 2023. The Silhouette Portrait 3 is the answer. It is the latest model released in 2020. This machine is more compact than the other full-sized models, such as the Cameo 4. It lets you cut fabric, paper, and vinyl materials.
This review is all about the Silhouette Portrait 3, where we will discuss its features and do its comparison with the other machines trending on the market. Let’s get started.
Silhouette Portrait 3 Overview – The Best Cameo Machine In 2023
If you need a portable machine that doesn’t take up much of your space, you can go with the Silhouette Portrait 3. It’s an amazing machine for beginners too. It is one of the smallest models in the Cameo series. Although it can cut all the same materials, it is 30% smaller and almost one-third of the weight of Cameo 3. Its small size is good for all crafters wanting a lightweight, portable machine. Plus, a great starting machine for beginners. It has the same auto blades as the Cameo 4. In fact, the portrait 3 model has similar features as Cameo 4, but it is cheaper. Portrait 3 model also uses Silhouette Studio software, the software used by all Silhouette machines.
What’s Included In The Silhouette Portrait 3 Machine?
Usually, you will get a lot of bundles of Portrait 3 on Amazon and Swing Design. There is a list of accessories you will get with the machine:
- Silhouette Portrait 3
- Auto blade
- Pen adapters for sketch pens
- USB cables
- Power cable
- Blade adjustment tool
Everything You Need To Know About Silhouette Portrait 3 In 2023
Appearance
If we talk about appearance, it has a classy white color option which I liked the most. Once you unbox the machine, you will notice a sleek footprint. The buttons on the right side are arranged as a half circle. Also, a big logo is present on the left side. The USB port is available at the backside, where you can put the USB cable. The port for the power cable is also attached to the backside. Hence, you can easily put your cables into the machine.
Overall, it has a sleek design and is lightweight. Hence, you can carry it with you anywhere you want to.
Dimensions
The Silhouette portrait cutting machine is 41.1 X 14 X 11.2 cm in height. However, it only weighs only 3lbs. But it is smaller and lighter than Cameo 4, Cricut Maker, and Explore Air 2. However, it is bigger than Cricut Joy, the smallest vinyl cutter. But this machine doesn’t come with built-in storage.
Connectivity
It has satisfactory connectivity with the USB port at the backside. You can connect it to your computer or laptop and start using your machine instantly. It also has an option for Bluetooth, which is a convenient method to connect it to your smartphone, Tablet, iPad, PC, or MacBook. This Silhouette machine also has a Silhouette Go app. The app includes all the features and can connect it to your Portrait 3. That app is user-friendly; even a beginner can use it immediately after installation. Although, you can’t use it for creating or editing your designs.
Software
Just like other Silhouette machines, Silhouette Portrait uses Silhouette Studio. It is so easy to download, and the basic version is free. Hence, it is recommended to upgrade the Designer Edition for advanced functions. The Silhouette Studio doesn’t require an internet connection. Anybody who knows how to use Canva, Windows Office apps, or any Window paint app can use it.
However, you can’t use this software on your smartphone. There is an app for that. However, it doesn’t support design functionality. It is only for connecting the vinyl cutter machine to your smartphone.
Cutting Force And Size
The Silhouette Portrait has 210 g cutting force and 8 inches of cutting size. However, the cutting force and size aren’t compatible with the other machines. But it can cut the materials such as vinyl and paper effortlessly. Plus, it can cut materials that are A4 in size. Silhouette Portrait also supports matless cutting. Hence, when it comes to the price and size, it delivers excellent cutting force and size. It supports matless cutting if you don’t like the cutting power and size.
Cutting Materials
The Silhouette Portrait 3 machine can cut a wide variety of materials. With a 210g cutting force, it can cut thin materials such as paper, fabric, cardstock, vinyl, and iron-on. Although, if you try to cut thicker materials, the blades may get dull. But on several passes, thicker materials can also be cut. Overall, we can say that Silhouette Portrait can cut thin materials easily, while thick materials require several passes.
Print And Cut
The machine allows you to cut the design that you printed with your printer. This feature is the same in most die-cutting machines. To make your machine cut, you need to upload the design to the Silhouette Studio and send it to the printer. Then, the printer will print the design with a black outline. After that, load the printed design into your Portrait 3. The machine cuts your design using a black layout.
Blades And Adapters
It has an auto blade known as a Type B blade. It can also handle the Ratchet blade, premium blade, deep cut, and kraft blade. Plus, the machine can detect the blade automatically with its autodetection feature. The blades are of high quality and made up of tungsten alloy. They have a length of 0.1-1 mm, depending on the material used. You can cut paper, vinyl, and iron-on with them.
Write And Draw
Silhouette Portrait can draw with the pens by installing them in the blue pen adapter. To use them, you have to remove the blade and install the pen adapter.
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