16 Responses to Portrait 3 LAUNCH: Silhouette Portrait 3 vs. Cameo 4

  1. Dear Meredith, I’m new on y/website and from Italy, so not so good to write in y/language!
    Could you help me I would like to buy the best machine to start this wonderful creative art (never tryied!!) but I don’t know which one could be the best to start! Just for me not for an economic activity! Which was your first machine?
    Many many thanks for y/help
    Barbara

  2. Thank you for this post! I’ve owned two Silhouette machines, an original portrait years ago and a Cameo which I changed it for a Cricut Maker last year and regret it. The actual machine is fantastic, but Design Space is awful and I’m fed up with trying to make it work so I’ve been trying to decide if I need a Cameo 4 or if actually the Portrait 3 is enough for my needs. Still undecided, but this clarified some of the questions I had. :)

  3. I think you convinced me to get a Portrait to start making sticker sheets. You said there’s a monthly deal, is it usually around a holiday?

  4. Hello, I’ve been looking at cutting machines, scanncut, cricut, cameo4, portrait 3 for days…
    I am a designer, I usually work with an illustrator, and for my work I sometimes have to make small gift boxes, I print them, cut them either by hand or using a laser, but it is quite slow since I have to take many passes to avoid burning the material , typically 0.55 pound m2 papers.
    Do you think the portrait 3 will be useful for that use or should I look for another machine? Thanks for your help!

    • If you’re used to working in Illustrator I think the Silhouette Studio design software would be a great fit for you! My only concern with the Portrait for making boxes is that you’re limited to 8.5×11 paper, which makes for pretty small boxes. You might have more versatility with the 12×12 size of the Cameo. As far as cutting capability goes, though, if you’re only cutting paper/card stock the Portrait would be great. If you think you’d like to have more cutting force for thicker/denser materials, then the Cameo 4 would be the way to go.

    • Yes! That would fit perfectly on the Portrait cutting mat, which has a cutting area of 8″x12″ with margins for lining up both A4 and standard 8.5×11 printer paper.

  5. Hello!
    I’m nervous about getting my first silhouette, and I’m a little worried that I might regret going with the “cheaper” option but also find the portrait have a lot of nice features I think I would enjoy such as lighter weight, smaller storage space etc.

    I want to get into making sticker sheets, cutting out greeting cards, packaging labels and maybe also boxes and envelopes – as I have a small online store. Although I have yet to do it a lot I’m also interested in book binding which can have slightly thicker cardstock for the covers but it is not something I have started on yet.

    In your blog post from first timers you mentioned the cameo might be better for people who are “looking to make items to sell with your Silhouette” and was wondering if you would recommend going with the camero right away?

    Do you think it is smarter to invest in a Cameo and expect it to last me the next 5 years for any new and wild experient project, although I’m most likely only going to cut stickers or would it be smarter to start out safe with the portrait and then upgrade later? (although the upgrade later part is what I’m a little worried about will be what I’m going to regret, not just getting the cameo from the beginning if it changes too fast)

    I would like to add that I have never owned a cutting machine before and it will be my very first so I’m not sure if it is better to go all in or start “slow” or if it doesn’t make a difference since you will get used to using your machine?

    Sorry the ong comment and many questions. Thank you in advance.

    • Hi! I honestly don’t think you can go “wrong” with either machine…it’s more a question of what kind of investment you’re willing/able to do up front. The Portrait is great for stickers, labels, and any other kind of print-and-cut projects, since you’ll only be printing on printer sized paper anyway! And the quality of the machine is exactly what you’d get in a Cameo. They both run forever! Keep in mind that you’ll be limited in size when making envelopes and boxes, if that’s something you’re interested in – an 8.5×11 piece of paper can only make envelopes for small cards. With a Cameo, you’d be able to make larger envelopes and boxes. As far as starting slow and getting used to the machine, the learning curve is exactly the same for both – same software, same cut settings, etc (with the exception of specialty blades) – so once you learn how to use one, you’ll be able to use the other, no problem.

      I can see the argument for either machine, in your case…so it just comes down to size and price. Hope that helps!

  6. Hi! Can the portrait cut through felt? I keep hearing mixed opinions. And have you ever tried construction paper? I know its fibrous, but I have so much of it!! Thanks for your help.

  7. Hi Meridith
    I bought a silhouette portrait 3 in 2022.I feel so lost. All the videosare for cricuts or sihouette cameo 4.Do you perhaps have a manual I can purchase.

  8. Hi there! I currently have a portrait and am looking to get the cameo. I use it mainly for cutting heat transfer vinyl onto tshirts etc. I’m looking at starting up my own tshirt business. Do you think the cameo would be more beneficial for me?

    • The additional cutting space and the ability to use 12″ rolls is a game changer when it comes to efficiency. Especially the newest model, the Cameo 4, which has the auto blade and a built-in roll feeder! I’d say it’s worth the investment to upgrade!

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stay-at-home mom to three beautiful children, wife to an incredible husband, and daughter of a loving God. I freely admit that I am not always the most creative or original person when it comes to crafting, decorating, organizing, cooking, etc...but I love being inspired by great ideas and putting my own spin on them! Look around, stay a while, and I hope through my *unoriginality* I can provide some inspiration to you, too!
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