How to Use Silhouette Studio for Roland BN-20A Contour Cut Lines (And Cancel Illustrator)

[@SilhouetteSchool]

📌If you are struggling with the Preview Step - I updated the written tutorial to explain in further detail how to Preview and Resave on both PC and Mac www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2022/08/how-to-use-silhouette-studio-business.html 🙌Upgrade to Silhouette Studio Business Edition Now AND Step by Step Tutorial on Using Silhouette Studio for Roland Versaworks Cut Lines www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2022/08/how-to-use-silhouette-studio-business.html

[@evelincameron7719]

Thank YOU!! I literally came to the comments for this!

[@annetterenee9827]

You are a lifesaver!! I don’t know what I would do without your videos ❤

[@wendyblack9504]

I'm almost there. I followed you steps exactly. In silhouette i do the trace and detach, etc and it all looks like yours. Got a bit floored by the double save of pdf. But realized I needed Adobe acrobat for it to function. Now... once in versaworks the cut line is squares along the image and not following the outline. What can I do?

[@EveliendeKoning-qp2vi]

Melissa, you are the best! Thanks

[@SilhouetteSchool]

You're so welcome!

[@KarenValladares]

Your video is so clear but I followed all steps and it didn’t works for me and I see a lot of people in the comments having the same issue, I used Microsoft Windows and Business Edition Sillouette Studio I tried with a PNG and also tried a SVG and nothing works, sometimes in versaworks the cut lines was only boxes instead of contour lines and sometimes the cut lines was defective in the images like just in some tiny areas and nothing in the rest of the image so it didn’t work right. Some people says Sillouette can’t spot color 🤷🏻‍♀ Could you make another video using only windows or I don’t know how it worked for you?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! It may be helpful to check out the step by step blog post here: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2022/08/how-to-use-silhouette-studio-business.html

[@mirandafulps113]

Thank you so much for sharing this information. It is super super helpful. (Well, all your videos are) I was having such a hard time and so very frustrated.

[@rodginarbdesignz9283]

Me too

[@juancazarez]

thanks for this video it really help me very clear to understanding

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Glad to hear that!

[@KarenValladares]

It didn’t work for me either, I followed all steps but versaworks just read box as a cut lines instead a contouring lines.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, it is hard to troubleshoot here without more details. Please feel free to drop us an email: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html Or! If you'd like extra help - like in-depth video tutorials or 1:1 help via email or chat for y

[@KarenValladares]

@@SilhouetteSchool your video is so clear but I followed all steps and it didn’t works for me and I see a lot of people in the comments having the same issue, I used Microsoft Windows and Business Edition Sillouette Studio I tried with a PNG and also tried a SVG and nothing works, sometimes in versaworks the cut lines was only boxes instead of contour lines and sometimes the cut lines was defective in the images like just in some tiny areas and nothing in the rest of the image so it didn’t work right. Some people says Sillouette can’t spot color 🤷🏻‍♀️ Could you make another video using only windows or I don’t know how it worked for you?

[@darranmcareavey]

This works great thanks. The only problem I am having and it’s probably something I am doing wrong. After the cut lines are added there is a large box (not a cut box) outlining the design which is bigger than the design which make sizing the design to the exact measurements difficult. You can see this the the camp mama design after the cut lines are created. I know it can be clipped down but it’s still not 100 accurate. Is there a way to make it so I have only the design and not the box around it ? Thanks

[@SilhouetteSchool]

That's the image boundary you should be able to can crop it

[@darranmcareavey]

Thanks Melissa. Is there a way to import the image with the boundary the exact size of tye design if you get me. ? Thanks.

[@sabineburgmeijer706]

tank you so much i have order the bussiness editie !😁❤

[@alisonburgess4931]

Hello Melissa! Does this same process apply to a user going from Silhouette to the NEW BN2-20 machines?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! With the BN2 you get a special version that lets you skip adding manual contour cut lines. Check out the video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/inerqaqlbL2fncksi=GFeQrvTTkLPeVpd8

[@JenniferMarioHernandez]

Thank you! I wished you would have gone through and finished the process of printing and cutting the image with your video.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

I have lots of other videos on that part of the process. The purpose of this one was to show how to create the contour cut lines.

[@billcivic2573]

You're amazing. Thank you

[@SilhouetteSchool]

You are so welcome

[@shawntracy2698]

In Job Assistant when you applied the cutline, it looks like it made 4 separate stickers. As if it made each layer a separate sticker. Did I see that wrong or when you print, will it make 1 sticker or divide it into each layer?

[@DinaHattarBurney]

hello i love your videos.. the only problem im having is that i cant preview how u did in this one video , you have a mac i have hp laptop

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hi there, the full blog post has a step by step for Windows at the bottom: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2022/08/how-to-use-silhouette-studio-business.html

[@kayteelizz]

I do not have a BN20 because I am broke... Will likely get a roll label printer first but these videos are so interesting!

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Glad you like them!

[@lalasstickercreation]

Thank You so much, I think Silhouette is easier than Illustrator I’m going to have to try it Your Amazing, thanks for sharing

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Glad it was helpful!

[@annettamoore4234]

Is there a videos o. Joe to do it on a pc

[@TonysTshirtsandKreativeKim]

Thank you! It will save time. Will I be able to change cut settings in Versa Works?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Yes you can!

[@1991ncr]

So if I purchase the Roland BN20, I don’t need the Corel draw software? I do have business edition in Silhouette Studio

[@SilhouetteSchool]

It works...but it's not perfect. You likley will stil need another software and if you do I recommend to use SS and Affinity together with the BN-20/A series. If you get the BN2-20/A that comes with Flexi Designer free and it's VERY easy to make the cut lines in there for Roland and you can cut directly from there as well.

[@bethjacobs4690]

\I'm using Mac , following all your steps but when I get to preview file & export to pdf the Export to PDF is not clickable. I have tried several different times. Can you help? Thanks!

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hi @bethjacobs4690, it would be easier to provide you the help you are requesting if you could please send an email with some additional information. Please provide as much info (including cut settings / exact material / screen grabs) as possible when emailing. My email can be found through the contact page on Silhouette School Blog www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html

[@dajohnnahowell5166]

I’ve followed step by step on my Mac, but export as pdf in preview is grayed out.

[@cassielightfritz7761]

What is the program that you are using to open the preview?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, I am not sure which window you're referring to but this blog post should have the info you need! www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2022/08/how-to-use-silhouette-studio-business.html

[@nadinebarksdale]

I'm using a PC. Where do I need to reopen the PDF? Do I use Adobe or Corel 18? I've tried both and neither are working. Not sure what I'm doing wrong.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, check out the full written out tutorial here: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2022/08/how-to-use-silhouette-studio-business.html

[@monieandrews9431]

hi im trying to add the cut lines to a heart image with an picture inside but i am having problems when i do the trace my image is not doind a full trace and when i do trace and detach some of my original image comes apart

[@SilhouetteSchool]

I would check out the How to Trace series ...tracing is going to be a little different for each image. You can find it on this page if you scroll down www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/roland-bn-20a-and-versaworks-tutorials.html

[@nancycranmer2612]

So, I was having a hard time with that whole PREVIEW thing because I am not working on a Mac. So on my PC, I went ahead and opened the pdf in Acrobat...the free one...and just did a SAVE AS and saved it over again as a pdf... since I couldn't get into PREVIEW mode. IT WORKED! Melissa IT WORKED. This is the best trick ever you have introduced us to. And while I have you, I have the monthly subscription and am confused as to which that site goes to? Can you please help me understand what I have subscribed to. Which one has all the great videos??? Blessings, Nancy

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hi Nancy Cranmer, it would be easier to provide you the help you are requesting if you could please send an email with some additional information. Please provide as much info (including cut settings / exact material / screen grabs) as possible when emailing. My email can be found through the contact page on Silhouette School Blog www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html

[@marilynsapp6241]

I’m having problems with the saving the design the 2nd time as a pdf can you help me with this. I’m stuck there

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! This blog post with the instructions written out might help: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2022/08/how-to-use-silhouette-studio-business.html If you keep having trouble you can use the contact page on the blog to drop us an email with as many details as you possibly can of what is happening.

[@JenniferMarioHernandez]

Me again! On the preview part, (6:28) when you are exporting the PDF again, on a PC, I can't seem to figure out how to do that so I can export my PDF again. HELP PLEASE!!!

[@SilhouetteSchool]

It's hard to troubleshoot fully here. If you'd like extra help - like in-depth video tutorials or 1:1 help via email or chat for your projects - please consider joining Silhouette U (www.silhouetteu.com). We hope to see you soon!

[@mojolady444]

Thank you so much for the time you've taken to make all these very helpful videos!! I'm still having a bit of trouble though... When I go through all these steps with a number of different png files, the cut lines that VW makes are always a square around the image. I can't seem to get it to make cut lines around the edge of images. Thanks again for the help!!

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! It sounds like you still need a a vector path around your design. In Silhouette Studio you would do this by tracing: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2021/07/how-to-auto-trace-png-image-in.html

[@ShyannHarris-l7i]

How do I get this to work for versaworks? I keep getting the squat box in versaworks. And if I trace and detach my whole image falls apart and I can’t keep the image together to move it to delete what I detached.

[@MekaG]

Melissa Viscount I have a question I was able to get my image into VW. I’m ready to do my cut lines but it’s not grouped together so I can click create to get it ready for print. Would I have to group them together in SBE or leave it ungrouped before exporting it?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, this really depends on your design and your own preferences. In this example I left it ungrouped and then selected all to add the cutlines to all the parts.

[@kaleighmoreno6457]

I’m following all the steps but when I open my image in versa works my image is in the blue square box how can I get it to go around the outer edge of my image?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, it is hard to troubleshoot here. Please feel free to drop us an email: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html Or! If you'd like extra help - like in-depth video tutorials or 1:1 help via email or chat for your projects - please consider joining Silhouette U (www.silhouetteu.com). We hope to see you soon!

[@yamilexalanis5902]

Hello when I try re save my pdf and try to export it again as a pdf it doesn’t work can you help me

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, it is hard to troubleshoot here. Please feel free to drop us an email: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html Or! If you'd like extra help - like in-depth video tutorials or 1:1 help via email or chat for your projects - please consider joining Silhouette U (www.silhouetteu.com). We hope to see you soon!

[@mgcreationsbykaren4330]

Melissa thank you so much for this video. I followed and turned out great. I tried to add a offset layer to my image but once I do that, the Roland won’t read the cut lines. Is there a way to add an offset in silhouette and cut lines without having to use another program? Thanks 😊

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! Absolutely. Check out this video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ6TZap3j7yAbMk

[@mgcreationsbykaren4330]

@@SilhouetteSchool thank you so much. I watched this one as well. I was just hoping to be able to do the offset in silhouette and export it to pdf, open and re-save the pdf and open in versaworks without having to use illustrator as I do not have it. I just don’t see why we can add contour cut lines to pngs but cannot add them to offsets in silhouette. Thank you though. Your videos have been sooo helpful. Your unpacking video and installing the software saved me from losing my mind 🤣

[@moniquestrahan2477]

Hey Melissa, I can’t see my image in job assistant. I followed all the set. Please help

[@SilhouetteSchool]

IF it doesn't show up in job assistant it's usuay b/c you didn't do the second PDF export

[@saramckinley7550]

Hate that I purchased Affinity a month ago… But Oh well Thank you so much this is gonna be so much easier

[@SilhouetteSchool]

I still use affinity! It's a good investment and a great software at a super affordable price!

[@dandee28]

does this let you add kiss cut and die cut lines together?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Yes - perf cut and kiss cut

[@dandee28]

@SilhouetteSchool aw I just bought flexi. I have so many programs now not sure which one is the easiest. Leonardo, flexi, ai, silhouette

[@Bernardthgoat]

Do you have a video showing how to remove unwanted cut lines?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Yes, here you go www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2022/06/how-to-remove-unwanted-cut-lines-in.html

[@monieandrews9431]

hi can you help im having a problem with exporting the pdf my screen is poppint up totally different and i am very confused

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hi @monieandrews9431, it would be easier to provide you the help you are requesting if you could please send an email with some additional information. Please provide as much info (including cut settings / exact material / screen grabs) as possible when emailing. My email can be found through the contact page on Silhouette School Blog www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html

[@monieandrews9431]

​@@SilhouetteSchoolhi yes I have sent emails

[@MariaVasquez-pr6nh]

What about when is not a whole image. What if the image has little smaller images how do you vectorize the image ?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, I'd have to see what you're trying to do to really say. Please feel free to drop us an email: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html Or! If you'd like extra help - like in-depth video tutorials or 1:1 help via email or chat for your projects - please consider joining Silhouette U (www.silhouetteu.com). We hope to see you soon!

[@Teamkeydesigns]

how do I get the job assistant? I have tried and tried with no sucess

[@SilhouetteSchool]

You might need to upgrade your Versaworks

[@laurenparsons3978]

I am following the steps to get it PDF saved and exported. Once it's uploaded to VW it will not pull up into the job assistant. The A is not showing there are any cut lines. Is there a step I am missing? The cut line is saved at .75 and clear.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hello there! Unfortunately it's hard to trouble shoot here. Please feel free to email us here: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html If you think you would benefit from 1:1 help, please consider joining Silhouette U (www.silhouetteu.com)! Members get access to 1:1 help via priority email, chat, and a private Facebook group. Our website also has 400+ video tutorials for all skill levels plus a monthly coupon code for free designs at So Fontsy. We hope to see you soon!

[@nancyjeancranmer7028]

Brilliant…..I can stop dragging images to Corel and arguing with it there to create cut lines. Soooo much gratitude for this new knowledge. Must share it with my Roland buddies. Can I use regular silhouette store designs and not just the svg files from silhouette store. Hmmm. I will have to see. Do silhouette store designs come in as jpgs normally. I don’t think they come in as png’s.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! We'd suggest checking out our sister site So Fontsy so you get the file types you need. sofontsy.com/

[@sabrinamedina6051]

I can trace it once I hit trace and attach it breaks my images into different pieces how do I fix that worst one whole piece

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, it is hard to troubleshoot here. Please feel free to drop us an email: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html Or! If you'd like extra help - like in-depth video tutorials or 1:1 help via email or chat for your projects - please consider joining Silhouette U (www.silhouetteu.com). We hope to see you soon!

[@kirocha01]

Help . I did all the steps in the video and my Roland bn20a didn’t cut the design.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hi @kirocha01, it would be easier to provide you the help you are requesting if you could please send an email with some additional information. Please provide as much info (including cut settings / exact material / screen grabs) as possible when emailing. My email can be found through the contact page on Silhouette School Blog www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html

[@peachcreation]

Thank you!!! I do need to save those extra $28 a month lol. 😂

[@annielamarche8644]

When I save in PDF and open job assistant it's blank, what am I missing? 😭😭

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, I'd try following the steps in the written post here: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2022/08/how-to-use-silhouette-studio-business.html to see if that solves it.

[@mahoganyanderson2375]

Hello, I need help.. my machine is registering all 3 marks and when it finishes it don't cut my image. It's saying cutting complete but it's not cutting anything

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! Make sure your cut lines are turned on in the send panel!

[@mahoganyanderson2375]

@@SilhouetteSchool That was the problem.. Thank you so much!! You're the best

[@martg1402]

I don’t use a Mac I’m having a hard time finding preview on silhouette and export to pdf.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Sorry about that - I didn't realize PC for previewing PDFs is different than MAC. I just updated the blog post to clarify this step and how to do it on PC and Mac. www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2022/08/how-to-use-silhouette-studio-business.html

[@daniellaedwards6643]

How do I get rid of unwanted cut lines

[@amandagray8071]

omg i want to scream!!! I keep trying the process but every time i open job assistant no image shows up. I have no idea what i am doing wrong.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

If you continue to have trouble this method is really a workaround/hack...you might want to consider Affinity Designer which is a one time purchase and is a little less picky

[@carlacolden7466]

what version of versaworks do you use? i dont know how to update mine to a newer version as it messes up

[@carlacolden7466]

i got my versaworks dual on installation discs but my laptop doesnt have a dvd drive, where can i re download the versaworks from?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

You need Version 6.13 or higher. To upgrade, go into your file explorer tab and scroll down to the VersaWorks folder. There is an app in that folder that says online update. Click that and RVW will walk you through the process.

[@carlacolden7466]

@@SilhouetteSchool I don't think I have that version, I've clicked the online update but says I'm up to date but I've not got the assistant etc like you

[@mamachuladesigns]

I got as far as the job assistant, but it won't let me select the image to see the cut lines, and the "create" button doesn't light up to be clickable. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? I can't seem to make this work and I really need to put this printer to work. 😥 I'm on PC

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, it is hard to troubleshoot here. Please feel free to drop us an email: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html Or! If you'd like extra help - like in-depth video tutorials or 1:1 help via email or chat for your projects - please consider joining Silhouette U (www.silhouetteu.com). We hope to see you soon!

[@aprilburnett3515]

I’m having the same issue 😢

[@ginagarcia6695]

@@aprilburnett3515 did you figure this out? I am having the exact same issue.

[@prissgonzales5111]

Hello, I'm using Mac & I'm getting stuck at preview , file & export to pdf ... well Export to PDF is not clickable. If I can get some help in this area, I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. THANK YOU!

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! Do you have Silhouette Business edition?

[@maxmlotkowski6464]

I’m having this same problem and I do have Business Edition. All I can do is Export. My Export as PDF is grey. SMH

[@saramckinley7550]

Same issue and I think this is the reason my Job assistant isn’t acting right

[@kristina0812]

What did you open the preview in? I have windows. I can't figure it out. And I have an export option. Help please

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there! Check out the step by step here! www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2022/08/how-to-use-silhouette-studio-business.html

[@rachelsrandoms1670]

Can you show us how to remove all the annoying cut lines inside when we have a distressed image? Lol I know you showed here how to highlight those little pieces and delete, however the image I'm working with isn't all 1 "piece" The letters don't touch, so when I detach, every letter and inside it if the letter is separate, so I can't move my entire image to the side

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, this blog post isn't SPECIFICALLY for the Roland but it should help guide you for doing it in Silhouette Studio: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2016/01/how-to-make-hard-to-cut-fonts-easy-to.html

[@rachelsrandoms1670]

@@SilhouetteSchool thank you

[@razormix]

I figured out what seems to be happening. This feature was added in VersaWorks 6.7 when they introduced Job Assistant. It works with Vector Graphics embedded in a PDF. On the PC, I noticed that re-saving the PDF in any of the free PDF Readers was not working. But it worked when saving it from Illustrator. Then I noticed it's because of the way Silhouette Studio is saving the layers in the PDF. (Compared to Illustrator) When I opened the PDF from Silhouette Studio with a PDF Editor and Flattened the Layers, it then worked fine in Job Assistant. Whatever is happening on re-saving from the Mac seems to be doing something similar. Job Assistant does not get along with embedded vectors scattered across many layers. That's why flattening the layers in the PDF works every time. Maybe Silhouette Studio will add some PDF options for that in the future. Even with the layers flattened, Job Assistant still sees all the separate pieces of the vector image. Thank you for all these tips!!! My BN-20A just arrived yesterday and the quality is amazing.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Good info! I actually figured out how to preview and resave a PDF the PC so I updated the blog post with that info so there's no need to go into another program. www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2022/08/how-to-use-silhouette-studio-business.html

[@jkpcwwt6]

@@SilhouetteSchool I have tried multiple images including basic shapes and every time I get in versaworks it just wants to cut a box around it

[@MariaVasquez-pr6nh]

@@jkpcwwt6 same 😢

[@MariaVasquez-pr6nh]

@@jkpcwwt6 I’ve tried so many other ways and I can’t get cut lines, just a box around the image.

[@jkpcwwt6]

@@MariaVasquez-pr6nh I switched and just use AI now, I couldn’t let it get me down after spending all that money!

[@lrreid]

WOW! So helpful! I think i can cancel my Ai subscription. Thanks so much!

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Give it a try a few times in Silhouette Studio and then decide if you still need AI :)

[@rebeccamroz4266]

I have followed this video, step-by-step, and when I go to create the cut lines in VersaWorks, the cut lines are not contour cut, they are square boxes around the objects. I am using a PNG, tracing and detaching, selecting all and saving selection as a PDF, opening in Adobe Acrobat and using MS Print to PDF to save again. After that, I am bringing it into VW and opening Job Asst. and selecting all of the design then selecting contour cut and choosing to do interior cuts and then create and am getting boxes around each item instead of the contour. I've tried this with multiple PNGs and am very frustrated. Is there something I'm doing wrong or missing?

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, it is hard to troubleshoot here. Please feel free to drop us an email: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html Or! If you'd like extra help - like in-depth video tutorials or 1:1 help via email or chat for your projects - please consider joining Silhouette U (www.silhouetteu.com). We hope to see you soon!

[@rebeccamroz4266]

@@SilhouetteSchool Thank you! I have and I am working on the solutions you've provided. I appreciate the response.

[@jewelljurco4119]

I have the same issue only difference is I save file as pdf in Sil business and then I pull it into VW and the same steps and I also get the box.

[@kaleighmoreno6457]

Hi I am having the same problem did u get it resolved? I followed all steps as well and still have the blue boxes cut lines are not on the outer image as they should be but instead in a box. Help

[@rebeccamroz4266]

@@kaleighmoreno6457 I ended up getting Affinity. It was an expense that I didn't need, but it is so much easier.

[@adracalvin]

I am following all the directions and it still isn't working.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, it is hard to troubleshoot here without more details. Please feel free to drop us an email: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html Or! If you'd like extra help - like in-depth video tutorials or 1:1 help via email or chat for your projects - please consider joining Silhouette U (www.silhouetteu.com). We hope to see you soon!

[@MariaVasquez-pr6nh]

My job never appeared once I’m in vw on job assistant. I can see that the file is there but not the image.

[@SilhouetteSchool]

Hey there, it is hard to troubleshoot here. Please feel free to drop us an email: www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/p/blog-page_9.html Or! If you'd like extra help - like in-depth video tutorials or 1:1 help via email or chat for your projects - please consider joining Silhouette U (www.silhouetteu.com). We hope to see you soon!