Calibrating the Silhouette cutting machine should be quite rare and is only required for adjusting the cutting alignment as it relates to Print & Cut jobs. 

Calibration should only be performed if there are concerns specifically encountered with cut lines not aligning properly with the contour of printed images during Print & Cut jobs that use Registration Marks.

If misalignment is not universally the same distance off around the entire image, then calibration is not the proper course of action. Information about setting up Print & Cut files should be reviewed.

Minor Misalignments

Print & Cut jobs have a 1/16th inch margin of error for cutting alignment compared to the printed image. A small border discrepancy between the printed image and the location of the cut may be expected. 

For small variances within the expected margin of error, you can use the Print Bleed feature to correct these without needing to calibrate your machine.

Major Misalignments

If misalignment is universally the same distance off around the entire image and exceeds the expected margin of error, and all steps for proper set up of a Print & Cut file has been reviewed, then you may proceed with the process of calibrating the Silhouette as directed below.

Checking Calibration


Before making any adjustments, first check the machine's current calibration as follows:


  1. Ensure your machine is powered on and the USB cord is connected to your computer
  2. Open Silhouette Studio
    NOTE: Update to the latest software version if you have not already done so
  3. Go to the SEND panel
  4. Right-click on the machine in the lower left-hand corner of the SEND panel
  5. Select Calibration
  6. Click on the Print Test Page button to print the calibration page displayed on your screen
    IMPORTANT: Print to a sheet of plain white copy paper
  7. Load a blade into your Silhouette machine
    NOTE: If you have a sketch pen, we recommend you use it instead. Using a sketch pen may make the resulting action easier to observe.
  8. Place the printed page onto your cutting mat exactly as displayed on screen
  9. Load your cutting mat into the Silhouette machine
  10. Use the blue position arrows on the screen next to the Calibrate button so that your blade/pen is hovering over the first printed cross mark in the area represented by green on your screen
    NOTE: The green area is not actually printed
  11. Once in position, click the Calibrate button
    NOTE: The machine will attempt to read the cross mark and then cut/sketch on top of it
  12. Remove the cutting mat from the machine and observe the resulting cut/sketch marks as they relate to the printed mark

Calibrating the Machine

If the resulting cut/sketch marks are aligned properly on top of the printed cross mark (both the vertical and horizontal lines), then calibration is not necessary and you may stop.

If the resulting cut/sketch marks are either misaligned on the vertical or horizontal lines, continue to calibrate your machine as instructed below.

  1. Using a ruler with millimeter measurements, measure the distance between the performed cut/sketch line and the printed line
  2. If the HORIZONTAL LINE is off (above or below the printed line), adjust the vertical slider on your screen according to your measurement.
    • If the cut/sketch line was performed ABOVE the printed line, drag the vertical slider UP to match with your measurement.
    • If the cut/sketch line was performed BELOW the printed line, drag the vertical slider DOWN to match wit your measurement.
  3. If the VERTICAL LINE is off (to the right or the left of the printed line), adjust the horizontal slider on your screen according to your measurement.
    • If the cut/sketch line was performed to the RIGHT of the printed line, drag the horizontal slider to the RIGHT to match with your measurement.
    • If the cut/sketch line was performed to the LEFT of the printed line, drag the horizontal slider to the LEFT to match with your measurement.

Checking Your Adjustments

After adjusting the measurements as needed, repeat steps 10 - 12 above under 'Checking Calibration'. Make sure to move your blade/pen to the next unused cross mark in order to view fresh results.

Continue to make adjustments as needed until the cut/sketch lines are aligned with the printed lines.