Recently, I had the joy of being invited to Silhouette Summit 2023 in Waikiki and I am so excited to bring you all the details on the Silhouette Curio 2. This one took our breath away! The Silhouette Curio 2 is one of four machines released in Fall 2023 by Silhouette.
WHAT IS THE CURIO 2?
The Curio 2 is the new version of the original Curio. The Curio 2 is one of four machines set to be released in 2023 by Silhouette. The other machines are the Portrait 4, Cameo 5, and Cameo 5 Plus.
The Curio 2 is unique and has a design unlike most cutting machines we’ve seen – it’s a flatbed! A flatbed cutting machine that does much more than just cut, it can emboss, engrave, foil, punch, stipple. Pretty cool. Some features require additional tools but overall this is a great cutting and engraving machine. The Curio 2 is the more expensive of the four machines, with a starting price point of $429.99. The machine is available to order now and in stock to ship to your home.
Let’s get back to the flatbed – when we first saw it, we immediately thought of a desktop laser but don’t get confused, this is not a laser cutter, this is a flatbed diecut machine that does not laser. There is no laser that will “fire up” in the Silhouette Curio 2. The Curio 2 uses blades and accessories to achieve its features. The Curio 2 like the original Curio is going to highlight it’s embossing and engraving capabilities so you can maximize your projects and not just “cut”.
WHAT DOES THE CURIO 2 DO
Guess what else is cool? Besides the Electrostatic mat (see below), the machine won’t cut and have your materials bang against the wall. The machine does not move, instead the cutting arm moves. Your materials stay stationary. When they did demos, for larger items they used a masking tape to keep thick materials, like a canvas or wood, in place.. Regardless, these materials won’t feed through the machine so they will stay in place.
The Curio 2 also has an automatic thickness detection in the software and the tool carriage adjusts its height or position according to the material on the base, so yup, you can cut some pretty thick stuff and don’t have to worry about measuring thickness and telling the machine.
As a note, the flatbed Curio 2 has a 20mm clearance. I saw them foiling journals, sketching on canvases, engraving acrylic, and writing on small wood pieces. They didn’t cut these materials but using the added tools you can accomplish some neat effects on the thicker materials. The tools are available to purchase later this fall and will be able to emboss, engrave, foil, punch, and sketch through the use of the Power Tool Carriage 2. These tools are not included with the machine but are optional add-ons.
What is included with the Curio 2? Included in this big ol’ Curio 2 box is your Curio 2, a power cord, the ES Bed (mat) 12×12, and the auto blade. The machine is bluetooth. Even though you don’t get a USB cord, the machine does have the option for one.
SHOULD I BUY THE CURIO 2?
The Curio 2 is a great buy. You can make your money back quickly if you’re a papercrafter. HTV will be limited since this is a 12×12 bed. I would recommend the Cameo 5 or Cameo 5 Plus if you’re making shirts.
Even though it’s more expensive than the other machines, let me explain why. Silhouette came out with brand new technology for their machines. The Curio 2 has all the technology with no need to buy extra parts so that really makes it shine!
Electrostatic “ES” Technology
This one is really going to change the game. This technology is patented and no more sticky mats y’all. The Electrostatic “ES” Technology is patented and creates a based powered by the cutting machine so that the static electricity holds the materials in place. You can cut thinner materials and more materials at once. Plus you can easily wipe away any leftover cuts without worrying about a sticky mat or losing stickiness over time. No curls, no tears, mess free!!!! ES is an add on for the Cameo 5, Cameo 5 Plus, and Portrait but standard with the Curio 2.
Intelligent Path Technology (IPT)
You know how it is to have your materials move all over the place when you’re cutting something on the mat? The IPT is a feature in Silhouette Studio you can select that will tell the software to cut your materials along the best path that keeps your materials in place and gives you the best and cleanest cut. We got a demo and were introduced to this feature but I haven’t played with it yet to know if this is something I recommed doing with a standard cutting mat.
Silhouette New Architecture (SNA)
SNA is Silhouette’s new look at their exisiting products and improving what was already great. We have new designs and quiet machines! Yes, quiet machines! WHOO HOO. The machines were running and I couldn’t even hear them.
I would recommend purchasing the Curio 2 because of the new technology and because your creativity can really be endless with the machine but just like with every brand new tech item, there may be some kinks to work out. I recommend really understanding the software and testing out some cuts before you put the Curio 2 into rotation for your business or hustle needs. That advice is for anything new you add to your craft room though!
WHERE CAN I PURCHASE THE CURIO 2?
Due to popular demand, the Curio 2 is limited to purchase right now BUT there are some in-stock. Grab yours here. These are available and in stock to ship to you today!
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