Silhouette portait4 User manual

Silhouette Cutting Machine
User's Manual
MANUAL NO. PORTRAIT4-UM-151

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Preface
Thank you for choosing Silhouette Portrait4.
Silhouette Portrait4is an electronic cutting machine suitable for cutting the following sizes (width): 5.5in., A4,
Letter, 9in., and 8.5-in. mat.
In addition to cutting films, craft papers, and iron-print sheets, the machine can easily cut various materials.
To ensure safe and correct use, be sure to read this User's Manual thoroughly prior to use.
After reading, please keep it in a safe place where you can find it at any time.
Notes on this Manual
(1) No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by
any means, without the prior written permission of Silhouette Japan Corporation.
(2) The product specifications and other information in this manual are subject to change without notice.
(3) While every effort has been made to provide complete and accurate information, please contact us through
the company website if you find any unclear or erroneous information or wish to make other comments or
suggestions.
(4) Notwithstanding the stipulations in the preceding paragraph, Silhouette Japan Corporation assumes no
liability for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein or the use of the product.
Registered Trademarks
All names of companies, brands, logotypes, and products appearing in this manual are the trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Copyright
This User's Manual is copyrighted by Silhouette Japan Corporation.
About the display screen
• The Silhouette Studio screen uses the display screen that appears when Silhouette Portrait4is connected to
a Windows 10 environment. The displayed content varies depending on the connected PC environment. In
addition, some of the display screens may be subject to change with a software upgrade.

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Before using this machine, please read this manual
Handling Precautions
To use the product correctly, as well as to establish an excellent cut, be sure to read the following points
thoroughly before use.
Note
•To avoid bodily injury, handle blades with care.
•Physical damage to a new machine caused by customers will not be covered by the warranty, so
unfortunately, we cannot offer you a product replacement.
Always make a test cut before cutting
If cutting conditions such as blade depth, force, and speed are not appropriate, the blade tip may break, or the
machine may be damaged.
Furthermore, the expected cutting results may not be obtained, and the media may be wasted.
Optimal cutting conditions vary depending on the thickness and quality of the media used and the degree of
wear of the blade.
Make a test cut every time you change the media.
Guideline for blade depth
Appropriate blade depth = Film
thickness + α
Release paper thickness
Film thickness
Does not cut through the film
The most important setting in cutting is to adjust the blade depth.
Adjust so that the blade protrudes slightly more than the thickness of
the media to be cut.
When cutting the cutting film, extend the cutter blade more than the
film, but not so much that it penetrates the release paper.
Use the cutting mat for the following circumstances
Be sure to use the cutting mat when cutting the following media.
Failure to use the cutting mat may damage the machine.
• When cutting media that do not have release papers
• When cutting out media (die cut)
Cut through to the release paper

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Intelligent Path Technology
The Intelligent Path Technology function offers specialized cutting options, such as controlling the cutting order
automatically.
This allows users to prevent the media from shifting when cutting.
There is tension in the material when cutting media (mainly paper) using the blade.
If the media to be cut is not fixed firmly, depending on the cutting order, this tension may cause the media to
shift or rip thin papers.
* This can be used to select the Silhouette Studio check box.
More
Intelligent Path
Technology
Since paper shift is less likely to occur, users can stack and cut multiple sheets of paper or cut thin papers more
beautifully than normal.
For example, this function is effective for cutting multiple sheets for the following design.
Note
The Intelligent Path Technology function is not guaranteed in all cases.
Additional information
This is an effective function in the following cases.
•When cutting complicated designs
•When cutting sharp angles
•When the adhesive comes off easily, such as sealing materials

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Optional items
This section describes the optional items that can be used with this product.
Silhouette Auto Sheet Feeder (ASF)
Set the ASF connecting plate and attach the ASF on top of it. There are two sizes available: letter and A3plus.
For details, refer to "https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/shop/auto-sheet-feeders".
Portrait Electrostatic Mat
A portrait electrostatic mat can be attached. For details, refer to the "Electrostatic Mat" supplies manual.
* To use the Portrait Electrostatic Mat, a separately sold Electrostatic Protection Sheet - 8.5in. x 12 in. is needed. Please
purchase it together with the product.
Heat Pen Set
This tool is used to transfer foil to the media. For details, refer to the "Heat Pen" supplies manual.
Roll Feeder
Use the Roll Feeder to cut roll media stably.

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For the latest information on this product, supplies, and consumables, please refer to our website.
Please use it together with this manual.
https://www.silhouetteamerica.com

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Contents
Preface...............................................................................2
Notes on this Manual ..........................................................2
Registered Trademarks .........................................................2
Copyright .....................................................................2
About the display screen...............................................................2
Before using this machine, please read this manual .......................................3
Handling Precautions...........................................................3
Always make a test cut before cutting .........................................3
Guideline for blade depth ..................................................3
Use the cutting mat for the following circumstances ............................3
Intelligent Path Technology.............................................................4
Optional items ........................................................................5
Silhouette Auto Sheet Feeder (ASF) .............................................5
Portrait Electrostatic Mat .......................................................5
Heat Pen Set ..................................................................5
Roll Feeder ....................................................................5
01 About Silhouette Portrait4.....................10
1-1Checking the contents of the package .............................................10
1-2Removing packaging materials from the machine ....................................
11
1-3Name and functions of each component...........................................12
Silhouette Portrait4...........................................................12
Operations ...................................................................13
1-4Setting up the machine ..........................................................14
Create your Silhouette account .................................................14
Register the Machine..........................................................16
Install the software (Silhouette Studio) ..........................................
20
Supported OS ..............................................................
20
For Windows ..............................................................
20
For Mac ...................................................................21
Check the connection with Silhouette Portrait4..................................22
Connect with Bluetooth .....................................................22

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Connect with a USB cable ...................................................23
Obtain free contents ..........................................................25
Check the free contents .....................................................25
Use trial subscription in Silhouette Design Store ...............................26
Confirm activation ..........................................................
30
1-5Available functions ..............................................................31
Size of the media that can be loaded ............................................31
Cut images ...................................................................32
02 Easy Operation Guide .........................33
2-1Cutting with an Auto Blade .......................................................33
Load a media .................................................................33
Setting the Auto Blade.........................................................35
2-2Workflow from simple designing to cutting ........................................37
Step 1. Creating cutting data using figures and texts ..............................37
Step 2. Cutting created data....................................................38
2-3Basic workflow of printing and cutting .............................................39
Pattern 1. Using the Drawing Tool to create cut line...............................39
Pattern 2. Using the auto-trace function.........................................
40
Pattern 3. Loading and tracing an image file .....................................41
03 About the Silhouette Studio Screen .............43
3-1Starting the software (Silhouette Studio)...........................................43
For Windows .................................................................43
For Mac......................................................................43
3-2Name and functions of each component...........................................43
3-3About the STORE tab (Silhouette Design Store) ....................................45
3-4Configuring the cutting conditions ................................................47
Descriptions of each setting item ...............................................47
Guideline for blade depth and media materials...................................
48
Auto Blade indicator scale ...................................................
48
About the Intelligent Path Technology ..........................................49
Auto cross-cutting ............................................................
50

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04 Troubleshooting ..............................52
4-1Unable to load the media properly ................................................52
Unable to insert media, or it bends and folds up..................................52
If you are using a rolled media, does the edge tend to curl down?................52
4-2Unable to feed the media properly ................................................53
The media move obliquely in the machine during cutting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Is the media or the left side of the cutting mat aligned with the Guiding Line?.....53
Is the Pinch Roller Unit aligned with the media and set to the appropriate printing
position?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Are the edges of the media cut at a right angle? ...............................53
The media slip out of the Pinch Roller ...........................................
54
Is the tip of the media placed against the Pinch Rollers on both sides and loaded
straight? ...................................................................
54
4-3Unable to cut properly ...........................................................55
The film peels off during cutting ................................................55
Are the tools set correctly? ..................................................55
Is the blade tip cap of the Auto Blade loose?...................................56
Is the blade worn, or is the cutting tip broken? .................................56
Is the blade depth too small, or is the force set too low? ........................56
Is the cutter blade sticking out too much, or is the force too high? Is the speed
(cutting speed) too fast? ....................................................57
Are the width of characters or figures to be cut too thin or too small?............57
The start and end of the cutting operation are misaligned.........................57
Is the inside of the Auto Blade dirty?..........................................57
Is the set media floating or bent?.............................................58
Are you selecting a pen even though you are using an Auto Blade, or vice versa? .58
Is the cutter blade sticking out too much, or is the force too high? ...............58
When the media is stuck ......................................................58
Are you loading the media in Silhouette Portrait4using the cutting mat?.........58
Is the media you are using too thick? .........................................59
The media is cut too much.....................................................59
Is the cutter blade sticking out too much, or is the force too high? ...............59
4-4Firmware update ................................................................
60
When in trouble .....................................................................61

01 About Silhouette Portrait4
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01 About Silhouette Portrait4
1-1Checking the contents of the package
The Silhouette Portrait4comes with accessories shown in the following list.
Make sure all the accessories are included when unpacking.
If any item is missing, promptly contact the distributor where you purchased it or Silhouette America Customer
Center.
Silhouette Portrait4AC adapter and power cable set
Cutting mat (8.5x 12 inches) Auto Blade
Hand-held blade adjuster Power terminal
* In addition, various documents may be attached.

01 About Silhouette Portrait4
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1-2Removing packaging materials from the machine
There are strips of tape and cushions to hold the moving parts of Silhouette Portrait4in place during shipment
and prevent any damage to the machine.
Remove all of the packaging materials (strips of tape and cushions).
1Remove the machine from the box.
Note
Silhouette Portrait4alone weighs approx. 2kg.
Open the package on a sturdy surface.
Attempting to work on unstable ground can cause the machine to fall and cause serious injury to
personnel.
2Remove the strips of (blue) tape and cushions that are holding the parts for the machine in place.
Cushion
Tape
Note
When manually moving the Tool Carriage, do not hold the
Tool Holder with your hand.
Turn off the power, hold the part shown on the right, and
move it slowly.
Moving it too fast may cause a malfunction.
Tool Carriage
Tool Holder

01 About Silhouette Portrait4
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1-3Name and functions of each component
Silhouette Portrait4
(10) Power terminal
(11) Cover
(5) Tool Holder
(4) Tool Carriage
(6) Guiding Line
(8) Pinch Roller Unit
(9) Auxiliary Roller
(8) Pinch Roller Unit
(7) Pinch Roller
(2) Power Connector
(1) USB Interface
(3) Power Button
(1) USB Interface : Used to connect Silhouette Portrait4to the computer with a USB Interface
cable.
(2)Power Connector : Connects the AC adapter.
(3) Power Button : Switches the power on or off.
Emergency Stop Button : When the Power Button is pressed during a cutting operation, the operation
stops immediately.
(4)Tool Carriage : Part to drive the tool to the left and right.
(5)Tool Holder : A holder to place tools, such as the Auto Blade or a 2mm Kraft Blade.
(6) Guiding Line : Guiding line to align the left side of the media or cutting mat.
(7)Pinch Roller : Roller to feed the media.
(8)Pinch Roller Unit : Roller unit to feed the media. The pinch roller unit on the right side
determines the position based on the media size, lowers the lever, and
secures it.

01 About Silhouette Portrait4
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(9) Auxiliary Roller : Holds the media down. This can be adjusted freely depending on the media
size. We recommend placing the media with equal spacing in between based
on the width of the loaded media.
(10) Power Terminal : Terminal to supply power when using the optional heat pen.
(11) Cover : Covers the machine.
Operations
(1) Repeat Job Button
(2) Bluetooth Button
(3) Position Key
(6) Pause Button
(4) Media Load Button
(5) Media Removal Button
(1) Repeat Job Button : Repeatedly cuts the data sent from Silhouette Studio using Silhouette
Portrait4.
(2)Bluetooth Button : Switches the Bluetooth on or off.
The lamp indicates the connection status.
(3) Position Key : Used to move the Tool Carriage and media position.
Press and hold down the key to move the Tool Carriage faster.
(4)Media Load Button : Loads the media.
(5)Media Removal Button : Removes the media.
(6) Pause Button : Used to pause/resume cutting operation.
If you want to cancel the paused cutting operation, press and hold the Pause
Button.

01 About Silhouette Portrait4
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1-4Setting up the machine
Create your Silhouette account
You can create your Silhouette account for free.
A Silhouette account allows you to register the Silhouette machine, and you can use the same account on
SilhouetteAmerica.com, SilhouetteDesignStore.com, and as a shared account for the Silhouette Studio library.
1Access the Silhouette America.com website from a browser.
https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/
2Click "Machine Setup" at the bottom of the page.
3Please select your language.
4Click "CREATE ACCOUNT".

01 About Silhouette Portrait4
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5Enter your account information.
Enter your name, email address, email address (retype), password, password (retype), language,
currency, and timezone.
If you do not want to receive newsletters (English) from Silhouette, unselect the check box of "Send me
newsletters..."
Select the check boxes of "I agree to the privacy policy", "I agree to the Terms & Conditions", and "I am
over the age of 13".
Note
The following criteria must be met when entering your password.
If you see a red x mark, please change or reset your password.
•Passwords must be at least 10 characters in length.
•You must include at least one number.
Name
Email address
Confirm email address
Password
Confirm password
Language
Currency
Timezone
I agree to the Privacy Policy.
I agree to the Terms & Conditions.
I am over the age of 13.
I'm not a robot.
Send me newsletters about Silhouette products and information.
Check
If there is a problem with your password, you will see a red x mark on the right.
In such a case, review and re-enter your password.
If there is no problem with the password, a green check mark will appear in the password field.

01 About Silhouette Portrait4
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6Select the check box "I'm not a robot" and click the "CREATE ACCOUNT" button.
7A registration confirmation email will be sent to the registered email address.
Click on the link in the email to complete the machine registration.
Note
You will need to click the link in this email in order to verify and activate your account.
If you do not activate your account, you will not be able to register the machine or access the
Silhouette Design Store.
Register the Machine
The Silhouette account can be used to register a Silhouette Portrait4machine.
If your machine is registered, the following services are available.
• You can download 50 designs included with the Silhouette Library for free.
• A one-month trial subscription is available to download contents from the Silhouette Design Store free of
charge.
* Please note that the upper limit for the download may change under the trial subscription.
1Access the Silhouette America.com website from a browser.
https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/
2Click "Machine Setup" at the bottom of the page.
3Please select your language.

01 About Silhouette Portrait4
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4Click "Sign In".
5Enter the registered email address and password for your Silhouette account and then sign in.
6Select the country where you live from the country drop-down menu and enter your address
information. Click the "CONTINUE" button.

01 About Silhouette Portrait4
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7Enter the required information and click the "CONTINUE" button.
The serial number is marked on a sticker on the back of the machine as an 11-digit number starting with
an alphabet.
* Depending on the web browser, you may be required to click " " to confirm after selecting.
8Check the model to be registered and click "REGISTER MY MACHINE".

01 About Silhouette Portrait4
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9Once you register the machine, confirm the warranty information.
Additional information
•After completing the machine registration, do not click "CONTINUE TO NEXT STEP". Instead,
follow the instructions below to install the software (Silhouette Studio).
•After the machine registration, you will receive an email with details on the one-month free trial
subscription. For details, refer to "Use trial subscription in Silhouette Design Store".
10 Exit the screen.

01 About Silhouette Portrait4
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Install the software (Silhouette Studio)
The explanation for the software can be found by accessing the Silhouette America.com website after "1-4
Setting up the machine". After registering the Silhouette machine in use, download the software from the
download page (https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software) and use it.
https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/setup
Important
•Before installing Silhouette Studio, log in as a user with administrator privileges for the computer.
•Do not connect Silhouette Portrait4to the computer until the software installation is completed.
Supported OS
• Windows 10 or later
• macOS X 10.14 (64-bit) or later
For Windows
1Go to "https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/setup".
2Please select your language.
3On the "Silhouette Machine Setup" screen, select the model to be used.
4Select WINDOWS (64-bit) or WINDOWS (32-bit), depending on the operating system used.
5Downloading the installer starts.
6Double-click the downloaded installer file "(downloaded file name).exe" to execute it.
7Follow the instructions on the setup screen to install it.
8Click "Next (N)" when prompted on the setup wizard.