The Best Competitive Tendering Procedure
If you are here reading my article, I can presume that you are already familiar with the magical world of crafting.
No matter if you are only at the beginning of your journey or you need a replacement for your old cutting machine, you are at the right place at the right time because I’m just starting to write more about Silhouette cutting machines.
If you never encounter one of these machines, please read my Best Silhouette Machine Reviews to get to know them more before we start our journey.
Did you already figure out what projects you want to be able to do with your die-cutting machine? Will they require more power or workspace? Will you craft just for your satisfaction, or you wish to do a permanent job out of it?
I know this all might seem ridiculous to you now, but you need to know precisely what you want, so you can be able to make the right decision and choose a machine that will help you enhance your work and express your creativity.
Today I’m here to compare Silhouette Curio VS. Silhouette Cameo. So let the games begin!
Silhouette Curio Vs. Cameo: Parallel Comparison Chart
Before we start with the more in-depth review, I will try to give you a closer look at all the highlighted features, dimensions, and all other specifications to help you make a parallel between these two cutting machines.
If you are eager to find out more about these amazing cutting machines, please continue reading my cross-check review and find out which one is the ultimate winner.
Silhouette Curio Vs. Silhouette Cameo: Getting More Familiar
Silhouette brand is very popular and appreciated among the crafters. They are very well known for straightforward use and versatility, as well as for their reasonable prices. Of course, there are many more cutting machine brands that are famous all across the crafting society.
So to make a long story shorter, now is the time to get to know each cutting machine better so we can be able to continue our discussion.
Silhouette Curio in a Flash
This machine might seem bulky in dimensions, but it’s still easy to transport if needed. If you ask me, this device lacks in power, and it is a bit slow for my taste. But the great thing is that this machine works as a standalone device so you won’t miss out on any features that some larger and more expensive products might offer.
Here you can see the official presentation for Silhouette Curio cutting machine:
This is the light-duty electronic cutting machine with the ability to work with most common materials (paper, vinyl, wood, leather, foam, and many more) and has a very versatile use. Not only that, you can cut and draw with this machine, but you can also emboss, sketch, score, stipple, and etch with it.
The only thing I don’t like is that Silhouette Curio needs to be connected to a computer to reach its full potential, and sadly, it doesn’t use a wireless connection, meaning you can only connect it using the USB cable that’s included in the package. Like many other Silhouette machines, this one too uses Silhouette Studio Software, which needs only a few minutes to be installed, and you are all set to start working.
Do I need to add that this cutting machine is one of the best choices for the amateur fellow crafter?
If you are keen on to uncover more about this particular device, please read my Silhouette Curio in-depth review.
Silhouette Cameo 3 in a Flash
Silhouette Cameo 3 has an elegant design, and it will surely catch everyone’s eye just by sitting quietly on your work desk. If we pay attention to the dimension and weight opinions are divided as usual; to some people, this machine is quite big and heavy and for me personally, this machine is just the right size and easy to transport.
Watch the official introductory video for Cameo 3 here:
The most important thing is that Cameo 3 is an upgraded version of popular Cameo 2. This machine is equipped with some advanced features that the predecessor lacks, and I must admit I was impressed when I first started to work with this beauty.
There are the features I would like to single out:
- AutoBlade system
- PixScan technology
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Silhouette Studio 4 software
As is the practice, nothing is perfect, so there are few things that might be considered as disadvantages. The cutting force is still not improved, so you will not be able to cut through materials like leather, acetate, or metal (trust me with this and don’t test it – you can easily damage the blade).
If your blades get dulled, you need to pay high prices for replacements. And unfortunately, this machine is quite loud, just like all other cutting machines.
After all, the device is straightforward to use, and you won’t have much trouble to set it up even if you are a beginner. To learn more about all the advantages and disadvantages of this model, please read my Silhouette Cameo 3 review.
What Distinguish Silhouette Curio and Silhouette Cameo Aside?
If you only took a brief look at my parallel comparison chart, you are already familiar with the differences between Curio and Cameo cutting machines. But before we continue to parsing them, I highly recommend that you read my reviews for both products so you can understand this article better.
If you are not bothered to go further in this analysis or you just don’t have time, take a glance at this comparison chart.
Now let’s go through the details.
Distinction #1: Dimensions and Weight
It’s best to start with some fundamental differences like size and weight.
Comparing sizes, Cameo measures 22.5 x 8.5 x 6 inches in dimensions, so it is considerably larger than the Curio, which measures only 17.2 x 5.5 x 7 inches. It is evident that you will need less workspace if you choose Curio, but to be honest, both machines have a compact yet manageable size.
But here comes the plot twist – Cameo is the larger device, but it weighs 6 pounds, while smaller Curio weighs 7.5 pounds. This difference of 1.5 pounds is not huge nor significant, because both machines are quite lightweight and portable, which is great.
There is a huge difference in cutting width between these two. Curio is physically smaller than Cameo, so logically it has a smaller cutting area of only 8 inches compared to 12 inches cutting area found on Cameo.
But this is not necessarily a bad thing, and it all depends on the type of projects you are usually working on. If your work is based mainly on smaller projects like embossing and debossing envelopes, etching desired pictures on thinner versions of metal and similar, Curio is your pick.
Distinction #2: Compatibility
Curio is a much more modest and simple machine while Cameo is equipped with an Auto Blade Technology that will enhance your work for sure.
Auto Blade is a system that will enable you to set the cutting blade depth automatically depending on what sort of material you choose to work on. There is only one thing you need to do, and that is to set the required type of material on your machine software, and you are ready to go.
Curio, on the other hand, is not equipped with this useful feature, so you will need to set it up manually before every project you do.
Distinction #3: Wireless and Computer Connection
We can all agree that Bluetooth connectivity is a great feature that can make your life so much easier. Now you can easily do your job while standing across the room far away from your computer.
I’m sure we’ve all experienced some troubleshooting while using Bluetooth on any type of device before, but I can guarantee you that the problem is downsized to a minimum now.
Unfortunately, only one of these two models is capable of wireless connection.
To learn how to set up Curio USB connection properly, follow this tutorial:
While Cameo is using Bluetooth to enable you the wireless cutting performance, Curio is still dependant on USB cable for connection.
Here you can see how to set up Bluetooth connectivity for your Silhouette Cameo machine:
That leads us to the next part.
Now we can conclude that Curio can only work if it’s connected to your computer, contrary to Cameo, which can work both ways. Furthermore, Cameo has an integrated SD card reader that allows you to save all your previous work and access it any time later without using the computer at all.
Distinction #4: Versatility and Cutting Performance
Both machines can cut and draw. But what differentiates them apart the most is that Curio offers you a lot more options than Cameo. You can etch, emboss, deboss, stipple, and score with Curio!
Curio is able to stipple and etch on soft, thin metal materials like copper, aluminum, and brass.
Here you can watch the official tutorial of how to stipple and etch with your Curio cutting machine:
If you always wanted to send personalized envelopes or invitations now, you are able to create them with Curio.
You can emboss, deboss, and score not only on paper and cardboard materials. You can even do it on thinner metals too.
To see how it all works watch this official tutorial from Silhouette:
Starting from the range of material, Curio is capable of cutting through a wide range of materials (leather, wood, rubber, foam, vinyl, cardstock, paper, and fabric) compared to Cameo (vinyl, cardstock, foil, tissue paper, and lightweight fabrics).
Shall we talk about cutting clearance now? As you already know, Curio can work with more versatile types of materials than the Cameo.
In the comparison chart above, you can see that the clearance for Curio is 5 mm and 2 mm for Cameo. Let’s straight some things out first. I don’t want you to get me the wrong way and think how Curio is powerful enough to cut through 5 mm of thick metal, for example, because this way, you will only succeed in damaging your blade.
Cutting clearance means the cutting depth, and here we can see that Cameo has shallow cutting depth compared to Curio.
To learn more about what Silhouette Curio has to offer watch this official video:
What Silhouette Curio and Cameo Have In Common?
These two devices are so dissimilar (not only by the physical appearance) that there is no way you can mix them up.
There are far more features that set them apart than features that make them look alike. They don’t offer a lot of identical functions to their users, but I can guarantee you that both are tremendous and reliable die cutters that will perform their job well.
They do have some features in common, but that still isn’t enough to make me call them similar.
I will leave this comparison chart here so you can take a quick overlook before we continue with a more thorough explanation.
Resemblance #1: Software
Most of the Silhouette cutting machines are powered by Silhouette Studio Software. The software already comes on a CD included in the package, but you can easily download it from Silhouette official website. The remarkable thing about this particular software is that it comes with tutorials for complete beginners as well as with 100 free designs to help them and inspire them to start creating.
When you use this software, you can draw, import, and buy designs from the Silhouette Design Store if you want to use this software for more advanced features like nesting, rhinestone conversation tools, or to work with SVG file you need to upgrade your software. You can also find upgrade options on their website.
Watch this tutorial to get to know Silhouette studio Software better:
You can even use your cutting machines with Adobe Illustrator and CorelDraw; all you need to do is download the software called Silhouette Connect, and you are ready to move your designs.
Resemblance #2: PixScan Compatibility
PixScan feature will help you a lot to improve your crafting techniques. This technology will enable you to import and convert the desired image into cutting files, or if you are more into making your own designs, you can easily draw them by your hand too.
Watch this video to understand better how to use PixScan:
Resemblance #3: Dual Carriage
A dual carriage system will save you a lot of time because it allows you to multitask and use two different tools at the same time. For example, you can emboss and score at once, sketch and cut, or even draw in two colors simultaneously.
We can all agree that this feature comes in handy because now you can do twice as much work at once.
Resemblance #4: Cutting force
You would expect that machines like Curio and Cameo that offer a lot of different features, advanced technologies and systems would operate with some powerful cutting force but yet here is the disappointment. Both devices apply the same amount of cutting power while working, which is only 210 grams.
Silhouette Curio Vs. Silhouette Cameo 3: Final Verdict
In the end, I can freely terminate that the two machines are entirely different and have different purposes.
Cameo is an excellent addition to DIYers and home decor crafters that love to do small and delicate projects as well as the bigger ones too. The machine will enhance the quality of your work and will allow you to work faster.
Curio, on the other hand, is intended to do small projects but will offer you more versatility in the type of work you can do with it and materials you can use. The only thing that can set you back with this machine is the lack of Bluetooth connectivity and constant need to be connected with a computer to be able to work.
Both have flaws and advantages that speak for themselves, and only you can decide which machine suits your needs better. But in my humble opinion, I would highly recommend you all to purchase them both and make sure you are ready for all upcoming projects.
If you are still not sure, you found the right machine for yourself in this article; please check my Silhouette Portrait VS. Cameo Review and, you might have more luck there.