Print & Cut with A3 Card and Paper

Hello, today I intended to use this week's FREE file from the Silhouette Store to make some wrapping paper, although it turns out I neither made wrapping paper, nor even used paper. However, I did use the free file and discovered that I could use A3 media and the large cutting mat (12 in. x 24 in. ) with the Silhouette Cameo's Print & Cut technology.

Instead of using it as a cut design I decided to use it as a printed element, and instead of using it filled, as in the picture, I used the outline.

This is so easy to do in the Silhouette Studio software; simply choose a suitable colour and change the line thickness.

Now, my first thought was that this would make a great repeated element for wrapping paper and I could print it in A3 and wrap just about any gift.  So I changed my mat to 12 in. x 24 in. and my virtual paper to A3 and off I went, rotating, aligning and duplicating until I had a A3 page of lovely bunnies.

Then disaster struck -  I realised that I didn't have any A3 paper, only cardstock! 260gsm would never work as wrapping paper.

However,  if print & cut would work with my A3 mat, then I could choose a project and fill the project shapes with my new paper. I'd never tried it, but thought if the registration marks will display, then there was a chance it would work.

I chose to make a 3D Tissue Box file, that wouldn't need wrapping and opened Lori Whitlock's Tissue Box file in the same work space. Then I had another Eureka moment - I could delete the bunnies that I didn't need and save on printer ink.

The result? The registration marks and the box pieces printed perfectly. The Cameo read the registration marks first time and cut the pieces beautifully.

There was very little ink wasted (the excess pink shown below was a bleed/printing margin rather than any cutting inaccuracy.)

I was then able to quickly assemble the box and even made a tag with the excess pieces from the top centre of the box.

To summarise then, YES, Print & Cut works with A3 media. Result!

In case it isn't evident, I've just treated myself to an A3 Printer, and I'm exploring ways to use it with my Silhouette, and with crafting generally. If you have an idea you'd like to share, or you'd like me to explore, please add it to the comments below.

I love my regular followers! If you'd like to follow my blog, the follow buttons are up on the right hand side, or add your email address to receive an email whenever a new post is published.