When using the Heat Pen, if you are unable to adjust the settings for this tool, you can do the following to resolve this concern:


  1. Open Silhouette Studio
  2. Go to the Send panel
  3. Click on the Material drop-down list
  4. Click on 'Add New Material Type'
  5. Proceed to create a new material setting

Heat pen instructions


Step 1: Design Setup and Foil Settings
  1. Open Silhouette Studio and create or open your design.
  2. Highlight your design, go to the Specialty Tools Panel (the star icon) on the right side, and click on Heat Pen.
  3. Choose a fill pattern (such as cross-hatched, concentric, or lined) and adjust the spacing to your liking.
  4. Change the line color of your foiling design to something specific (like Blue), and ensure your cutting lines (like Red) are unclicked if you want to foil first.
Step 2: Machine and Material Setup
  1. In the Send Panel, select the tool type assigned to your design lines (e.g., Tool 2 for your foiling layer).
  2. If your heat pen doesn't have a default setting, click More > Add Foil Action to build a custom material setting.
  3. Place your base material (like cardstock) onto a standard sticky mat.
  4. Tape your heat-activated foil shiny side up completely taut over your base material using the masking tape provided in your pen kit. 
Step 3: Insert the Pen and Send the Job
  1. Put the Heat Pen into Carriage 2 (the right-hand tool housing) and push it down until it clicks securely into place.
  2. For machines like the Cameo 5 or Portrait 4, pull the carriage tab forward to insert the pen and push it back to lock it.
  3. Click Send in the software. A pop-up will prompt you to turn on the Heat Pen.
  4. Wait approximately 3 minutes for the pen to reach the correct temperature, and then click Send again to begin foiling.
  5. Once complete, carefully peel away the foil from your material before removing your project from the machine. 
For a quick tip on using Cut by Line to easily transition between foiling and cutting without removing your mat: