Text basics in Silhouette

In this text basics tutorial learn how to use text, such as how to change line spacing in Silhouette Studio. Text plays a huge creative part in designs, especially when adding customization. This can include split mandala designs or adding hilarious quotes to projects. Knowing text basics goes a long way to creating visually great and fun projects.

We will be using a PC throughout this tutorial but we do have a visual guide for Mac users below.

The font used in this tutorial is a fun calligraphy font called Hey Beauty. We have a great selection of Modern Calligraphy fonts to choose from if you want to use something different.

You will need to download and install your fonts onto your PC or Mac before opening Silhouette Studio.

Step 1 - Use the Text Tool

To create our text object, we need to use the Text Tool on the left hand side. Click on the tool then click anywhere on the mat. Now start typing out your text.

Next, we will change the font. You can highlight the text while in text edit mode. Or, click away to leave text edit mode, then click back on the text object to select it.

By clicking + dragging the text, you can place it anywhere you want on the mat. Where you place it is where the machine will cut.

Step 2 - Change the Font and Color

The font can be changed by going to the Text Style Panel on the right hand side. Click to open the panel then either scroll through to find your font or type it in the search bar. Select your font and it will be applied to the text.

We also have a great tutorial on how to use fonts in Silhouette Studio.

We used the Justify Center to align the text. Next, we added a color fill using the Fill Panel on the right side toolbar.

Step 3 - Edit the Text Object

In the Text Style panel you will also find the option to align the text. Here you can use Bold, Italics and Underline if available with the font. You can change the direction of the text as well.

Just below the list of fonts, you will find a letter “A”. One will be horizontal, and one vertical. With the text selected, click on the Vertical icon. This image below is the result.

Line Spacing adjusts the space between lines. This is especially useful when working with font glyphs in Silhouette Studio.

Character Spacing adjusts the space between characters. You may want to use this to space out the font to make it easier to read.

Some font layouts look better once Line and Character Spacing has been applied.

We have an in depth tutorial on editing text in Silhouette Studio if you would like to learn more.

Step 4 - Convert to a Path

When you are done editing your text, the final step is to convert it to a path. This will allow you to edit each part of the text using tools like the Point Editing Tool.

It’s important to note that once you convert to a path you will no longer be able to enter text edit mode. So be certain that you are happy with your text before following this step.

Right click and select Convert to Path. Next, right click > Ungroup so that you can edit each letter as needed.

You can now edit freely with the Point Editing Tool.

You can even change the size of each letter or rearrange them. Don’t worry about overlapping areas, we will show you how to fix that next.

We are now going to weld each part into one single object. This is so that the machine doesn’t cut overlapping areas. You can see how the text overlaps in the image below.

Back in the Design area, using the Move Tool, drag out a selection box around all of the letters. Next, right click > Weld.

The individual letters have now been welded and will be cut as a single object.

Once you know text basics in Silhouette Studio, you can create some amazing designs. Features such as how to change line spacing in Silhouette Studio can greatly alter the look of your text. We hope this tutorial was informative and has added more to your crafting knowledge.