Silhouette Studio is a powerful design program used by hobby crafters, small business owners, and experienced makers alike. If you’re wondering how to save Silhouette Studio designs safely, understanding cloud storage limits is critical. Many users don’t realize that Silhouette’s cloud storage quota for user-created designs is limited—and how you save your files directly affects whether they count toward your storage limit. With recent changes to Silhouette Library storage policies, knowing how to backup Silhouette designs and avoid hitting your quota has never been more important.
Quick Answer
Silhouette Studio designs saved to your computer don’t count toward your cloud storage quota, only designs synced to the Silhouette Library do. Free accounts get 1GB of cloud storage; Diamond subscribers and Club Silhouette members get 5GB. Design Store purchases don’t count toward your limit unless you re-import them manually.
In This Guide:
- Where Silhouette Studio designs are stored (local vs. cloud)
- What counts toward your storage quota
- Storage limits by subscription plan (2026)
- How to backup your designs safely
- Workflow tips to avoid storage stress
Whether you’re just getting started or already managing a growing design library, this guide will help you avoid lost work and storage surprises.
Where Are Silhouette Studio Designs Stored? Local vs Cloud Library Explained
Silhouette Studio allows designs to be stored in two different ways, and understanding the difference is key to managing your files effectively.
Local Storage (On Your Computer)
Local files are saved directly to your computer or an external drive. These designs:
- Are available even when you’re offline
- Do not count toward Silhouette’s cloud storage quota
- Give you full control over backups and organisation
Many experienced users prefer local storage as their primary workspace, importing files into the Library only when syncing across devices is needed.
Cloud Library Storage
Designs saved to the Silhouette Library and synced online are stored in Silhouette’s cloud system. This allows:
- Access from multiple computers
- Automatic syncing when signed in
However, cloud storage is limited, and user-created designs stored here count toward your quota.
Silhouette Cloud Storage Quota: What Counts (And What Doesn’t)
Not every file in your Library affects your storage limit, but many users are surprised by what does.
Designs That Do NOT Count Toward Your Quota
Designs purchased directly from the Silhouette Design Store – Browse the Silhouette Design Store
As long as these designs remain store-linked purchases in your Library, they do not use your cloud storage space. You can re-download them at any time.
Designs That DO Count Toward Your Quota
- Designs you create yourself in Silhouette Studio
- SVGs, PNGs, DXFs, and other files imported from outside sources
- Fonts added to the Library
- Any file manually uploaded or re-imported into the Library
CRITICAL WARNING: The Design Store Re-Import Trap
In general, Design Store purchases do not count toward your quota — as long as they stay store-linked.
However, if you download a Silhouette Design Store design to your computer and then manually upload or re-import it into the Library, Silhouette Studio treats it as a user-added file, not a store purchase.
Once added back into the Library this way:
- The file WILL count toward your cloud storage quota
- Even though you originally purchased it from the Design Store
This distinction matters for users who prefer managing files locally or rebuilding their Library structure manually.
Silhouette Studio Storage Limits By Subscription Plan (2026)
Silhouette cloud storage limits vary depending on your account and subscriptions. The following information reflects current limits at the time of writing and may be subject to change.
Free Silhouette Account
1 GB of cloud storage for user-created and imported designs
Purchased Design Store files do not count toward this limit
Sufficient for: Light users with occasional imports
Watch out if: You regularly import SVGs or save multiple design versions
Design Store Subscriptions
Silhouette Design Store subscriptions primarily provide monthly design credits and discounts.
At the time of writing:
- Only the Diamond Design Store subscription includes increased cloud storage
- Diamond subscribers receive 5 GB of cloud storage for user-created designs
- Lower-tier subscriptions do not include additional storage beyond the free 1 GB
Ready to upgrade? Compare current Design Store subscription plans and see which storage option fits your workflow. All subscription plans include a 60 day credit rollover. After 60 days, unused credits gained through subscriptions will expire. 1 credit = $1 USD
Pro Tip: Storage allowances and benefits may change, so review your account details periodically.
Club Silhouette Membership
Members of Club Silhouette also receive 5 GB of cloud storage for user-created designs at the time of writing and subscribers receive machine supplies. Club Silhouette is available in the USA but may not be available in other countries.
Important: Club Silhouette is a separate membership from Silhouette Design Store subscriptions which are only for Silhouette Design Store Designs. As with all Silhouette plans, storage limits and benefits are subject to change, so independent backups are still essential.
What Happens When You Reach Your Cloud Storage Limit
When your Library reaches its storage quota, you may encounter errors when trying to:
- Sync new designs
- Upload additional files to the Library
Your existing designs are not immediately deleted, but syncing may stop until space is freed or storage is increased. Purchased Design Store files remain available regardless of storage limits.
How To Backup Silhouette Studio Designs: Why It’s Essential
Silhouette’s cloud Library is a syncing convenience, not a guaranteed long-term backup solution for user-created designs.
If your storage limit changes, your subscription lapses, or files are removed to reduce usage, Silhouette does not guarantee recovery of user-created content.
Best Practice: Always Maintain Your Own Backups
Export user-created designs regularly and save copies to:
- Your computer (organized folder structure)
- An external hard drive
- A personal cloud service (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive)
Pro Tip: Set a recurring calendar reminder (monthly or quarterly) to export and backup your designs. It takes 10 minutes and could save hours of lost work.
Workflow Tips For Managing Designs Without Storage Stress
Follow these practical strategies to keep your design workflow smooth:
1. Design and save locally first Create your projects and save them to your computer. Only sync to the Library when you need cross-device access.
2. Sync only what you need across multiple devices Not every design needs to be in the cloud. Be selective about what you upload to the Library.
3. Periodically review Library storage usage Check your usage indicator monthly and clean out designs you no longer need synced.
4. Remove unnecessary synced files Delete or move designs from the Library back to local storage when you’re done with a project.
Quick Checklist: Protecting Your Silhouette Studio Designs
Before saving or syncing designs to your Library, ask yourself:
- Is this a Design Store purchase or a user-created/imported file?
- Do I need this design available on multiple devices?
- Have I saved a local copy outside Silhouette Studio?
- Am I close to my cloud storage quota?
- Have I recently exported and backed up my user-created designs?
If you can’t confidently check all five, it’s time to review your storage and backup workflow.
Choosing The Right Subscription For Your Workflow
If you regularly create, import, or modify designs, additional cloud storage can be helpful, but it should support your workflow, not replace proper backups.
For users who rely heavily on Silhouette Studio, reviewing current Design Store subscription options may help determine whether added storage fits your needs:
View current Silhouette Design Store options
Key Takeaways: Silhouette Studio Storage & Backup
- Save designs locally first—they don’t count toward your quota
- Free accounts: 1GB | Diamond/Club: 5GB cloud storage
- Design Store purchases are quota-free (unless re-imported manually)
- Always maintain your own backups outside Silhouette’s cloud
- Export user-created designs regularly to external storage
- Be selective about cloud syncing—not everything needs to be in the Library
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Silhouette Design Store purchases count toward my storage limit?
No, as long as they remain store-linked purchases in your Library. However, if you download them and manually re-import them, they will count as user files.
How much cloud storage do I get with a free Silhouette account?
Free accounts receive 1GB of cloud storage for user-created and imported designs.
What happens when I reach my Silhouette cloud storage limit?
You won’t be able to sync new designs until you free up space or upgrade your storage. Existing designs remain accessible.
How do I backup my Silhouette Studio designs?
Go to File > Library > Export User-Created Designs and save to your computer, external drive, or personal cloud service.
Does Club Silhouette include extra cloud storage?
Yes, Club Silhouette members receive 5GB of cloud storage at the time of writing (January 2026).
Can I use both local storage and cloud storage?
Absolutely! Most experienced users save locally as their primary method and sync only select designs to the cloud for multi-device access.
Final Thoughts
Your designs represent time, creativity, and often income. Understanding how Silhouette Studio stores files and how storage quotas work, allows you to protect that investment.
By saving locally, backing up regularly, and using cloud storage intentionally, you can avoid unexpected limits, lost designs, unnecessary frustration and keep creating with confidence.
Found this helpful? Share it with your Silhouette crafting community or save it for future reference when setting up your backup workflow.
© Clikchic Designs 2026
Subscribe to the Clikchic Designs Newsletter and get a FREEBIE! There are ongoing freebies as well. Don't worry, we won't inundate you with emails.