Why the Silhouette cloChé is Turning Heads in the Crafting World
The Silhouette cloChé heat press isn’t just another crafting tool—it’s a game changer for anyone who wants professional-quality heat transfer results without sacrificing style or space. With its sleek, compact design and clever folding mechanism, this heat press fits beautifully into a home studio or even a small crafting nook. But don’t let its size fool you—under the hood, it’s packed with the same power and precision you’d expect from a full-size press.
One of the standout features of the cloChé is its space-saving footprint. Measuring approximately 13.8” × 13.3” × 4.2” when folded, it slips neatly onto a shelf or into a cupboard. At just 11 lbs, it’s lightweight enough to move around, making it perfect for portable craft setups or small studios.
The soft pastel tones and clean lines give it a look that blends beautifully into any creative space—no industrial bulk here, just chic functionality.
Heating Technology for Perfect Presses Every Time
The cloChé features a 6” × 10” heating platen that provides consistent, even heat across your project surface.
This is key for flawless results—whether you’re pressing vinyl onto a t-shirt, adding designs to a tote bag, or creating heat-applied embellishments.
Heating Technology for Perfect Presses Every Time
The cloChé features a 6” × 10” heating platen that provides consistent, even heat across your project surface. This is key for flawless results—whether you’re pressing vinyl onto a t-shirt, adding designs to a tote bag, or creating heat-applied embellishments.
You can choose from three heat settings—Low (248 °F / 120 °C), Medium (320 °F / 160 °C), and High (392 °F / 200 °C)—with the option to fine-tune in between for precise control. This flexibility allows you to work with a variety of materials, from delicate fabrics to durable canvas.
User-Friendly Controls for Hassle-Free Crafting
No complex digital panels or intimidating menus—just a simple, intuitive dial to set your temperature. This makes the cloChé especially welcoming for beginners while still offering enough precision for experienced crafters.
Once set, the heat press warms up quickly, letting you dive into your projects without long wait times.
Safety Features You Can Rely On
Silhouette has built smart safety features into the cloChé to give you peace of mind. After approximately 45 seconds of pressing, an audible alarm will sound to remind you to check your project. If the alarm is ignored, the machine will automatically power down after two minutes. Additionally, if you leave the machine idle for 15 minutes, it will switch off completely.
These safeguards not only protect your materials but also help prevent accidents in busy crafting environments.
The cloChé Petite Accessory for Precision Pressing
Included with the cloChé is the adorable yet powerful cloChé Petite, a miniature heat press designed for small or awkward surfaces like hats, shoes, or curved areas. Its compact size makes it perfect for applying designs to tricky spots without over-pressing surrounding material.
The Petite stores neatly on the main unit, so you won’t lose track of it, and it’s ready to go whenever your project calls for fine detail work.
Practical Applications for Crafters
The cloChé isn’t limited to t-shirts (though it does an excellent job with them).
Here are just a few ways you can put it to work:
Custom tote bags for markets or gifts
Personalised tea towels or aprons
Heat transfer vinyl on felt projects
Monogrammed pillow covers
Small runs of merchandise for craft fairs
Its portability makes it a great option for live events or crafting demonstrations where you want to press on the spot.
How It Compares to Other Heat Presses
While larger swing-arm or clamshell presses might offer more pressing area, they often take up significant space and can be heavy to move. The cloChé delivers an excellent balance—small enough for home use, but powerful enough to handle a wide range of projects.
Compared to mini handheld presses, the cloChé offers more consistent pressure and a stable working surface, giving you more professional results.
Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your cloChé
Pre-press your fabric to remove moisture and wrinkles for better adhesion.
Use a pressing cloth to protect delicate fabrics.
Test on scrap material when working with a new vinyl or fabric type.
Keep it clean—wipe the platen after use to avoid residue buildup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the cloChé suitable for beginners?
Yes! The simple dial and safety features make it easy for anyone to start using right away.
What materials can I use with it?
It’s compatible with heat transfer vinyl, sublimation transfers, and certain fabric paints or adhesives.
Can I use it for mugs or ceramic items?
No, it’s designed for flat or slightly curved fabric surfaces.
Is the cloChé Petite sold separately?
Currently, it comes included with the main cloChé unit.
Final Thoughts: A Beautiful Blend of Form and Function
The Silhouette cloChé heat press is an elegant solution for crafters who want professional heat transfer capability in a stylish, compact package. With its thoughtful safety features, intuitive controls, and versatile accessory, it’s a worthy addition to any creative workspace.
If you’re looking to upgrade your crafting tools or start exploring heat transfer projects, the cloChé offers an excellent mix of performance, portability, and design appeal.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through the links on this page, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products I genuinely love for crafting.
If you love dreamy pastels and vintage whimsy, you’ll adore this enchanting collection of Wonderland Art Journal Backgrounds. Inspired by the timeless charm of Alice in Wonderland, these 8 unique designs combine textured watercolour washes with original book text to create truly magical backdrops. Perfect for printable art journals, scrapbooking, handmade cards, and mixed media projects.
Each background features soft, delicate colours like pink, turquoise, lilac, and yellow, overlaid with authentic Alice in Wonderland text for a nostalgic literary touch.
Purchase the individual backgrounds via Silhouette Design Store:
I’m so excited to be the featured artist in the Silhouette Design Store this week! To celebrate, all my designs are 50% off through July 17th, and you can also download an exclusive free design—a beautiful rolled paper flower—during the promotion!
The freebie, the Rose Style Rolled Flower with Round Petals, is an elegant layered SVG that creates a soft, realistic rose. The finished flower measures approximately ¾ to 1½ inches (can be resized) depending on how loosely it’s rolled, making it perfect for cardmaking, paper bouquets, shadow boxes and more.
My Silhouette shop includes a wide range of designs—from easy-to-assemble paper flowers and detailed cards to vibrant Print & Cut elements. Many are created using traditional techniques like watercolour and Gelli printing, giving your projects a one-of-a-kind look.
Visit the store to explore the full collection and grab your 50% off favourites before the sale ends!
Don’t miss the Rose Style Rolled Flower with Round Petals available at the Silhouette Design Store this week! Make adorable flowers for your card making, scrapbooking, party decorating and home decor.
If you’ve ever wondered how I get my Print & Cut designs to look so vibrant, crisp, and just a little bit extra shiny—you’re not alone! One of the most common questions I get is, “How do you make your printed designs look so good?” The secret? I use gloss photo paper and a high-quality inkjet printer—and it makes a huge difference.
In this post, I’ll walk you through why gloss photo paper is my go-to for Print & Cut crafts, how it compares to regular cardstock, and why your choice of printer (inkjet vs laser) also plays a big role in the final result.
If you would like to check out some of the designs in my store used in the photo to the right, check out my store here. I specialise in watercolor print and cut designs.
What Makes Gloss Photo Paper So Special?
Gloss photo paper is specifically designed for high-quality image printing. It has a smooth, coated surface that enhances colours, contrast, and detail. Here’s why it’s a game changer:
Vibrancy: The glossy coating helps the ink stay on the surface instead of being absorbed into the paper fibres, which means richer, brighter colours.
Sharp Detail: Photo paper gives you cleaner lines and finer details—great for intricate designs or watercolour textures.
Professional Finish: That shiny, polished surface gives your project a more finished and professional look. Think sticker-quality prints without the need for extra lamination.
Quick Drying: High-quality photo papers are quick-drying and smudge-resistant, which is ideal for Print & Cut projects where precision matters.
Gloss Photo Paper vs Regular Cardstock
Cardstock is thick and sturdy, which makes it great for structural elements like cards or boxes. But when it comes to image quality—especially for decorative elements like florals, labels, or illustrations—it doesn’t stand a chance against gloss photo paper.
Feature
Gloss Photo Paper
Regular Cardstock
Colour Vibrancy
High
Moderate
Print Detail
Crisp and defined
Slightly muted
Surface Finish
Glossy & smooth
Matte or slightly textured
Ink Absorption
Minimal (stays on top)
High (absorbs into paper)
Best Use
Decorative print elements
Card bases, sturdy pieces
Inkjet vs Laser Printers: What’s the Difference?
This one often surprises people: inkjet printers and laser printers use entirely different methods for printing, and each affects your output in different ways—especially when printing on photo paper.
Inkjet Printers
Use liquid ink droplets
Best suited for photo-quality, full-colour prints
Ideal for glossy or coated papers
Produces vibrant, rich colours and subtle gradients
Best choice for Print & Cut when using photo paper
Laser Printers
Use toner (powder) fused with heat
Better for high-speed, high-volume text printing
May not bond well with glossy surfaces
Can result in flaking, dull colours, or blurred images on photo paper
Not ideal for glossy photo paper—results may be patchy or prone to smudging
Tips for Using Gloss Photo Paper in Print & Cut Projects
Use the right print settings: Select “photo paper” or “glossy paper” in your printer settings to optimise ink distribution.
Let it dry: Even quick-dry paper needs a few minutes before handling—especially if you’re layering or cutting straight away.
Use a light tack mat: Glossy paper can stick too well to high-tack mats and may tear when removing.
Cut settings: Adjust your Silhouette or Cricut blade settings for thicker coated paper—do a test cut first.
Final Thoughts
If you’re aiming for that wow factor in your Print & Cut designs, switching to gloss photo paper and an inkjet printer is one of the easiest upgrades you can make. The difference in print quality is instantly noticeable—more vibrant colours, sharper details, and a gorgeous glossy finish that truly elevates your projects.
So if your prints have been looking a little dull or flat, give photo paper a try. Your crafts will thank you—and so will your followers!
Looking for a handmade birthday card with bold tropical vibes? This flamingo-themed birthday card is bright, cheerful, and so much fun to make. Using a Print & Cut flamingo, a cheeky sentiment, a painted monoprint background, and a dry paint-style clipping mask frame, this project is perfect for Silhouette Studio users who love combining painterly effects with clean digital design.
To recreate this look, you’ll need these Silhouette Design Store files: Flamingo Watercolor Print & Cut (D-1270614) Download here Flocking Fabulous Birthday Sentiment (D-1270612) Download here Yellow Red Magenta Monoprint Background (385854) Download here Dry Paint Grunge Clipping Mask Frame (D-368127) Download here
Cut the sentiment from coordinating cardstock, or print and cut using the include offset.
Assemble the card using glue or foam tape to add depth and dimension.
The finished result is a fun, layered birthday card perfect for summer celebrations and flamingo fans alike. See the full process in the Instagram Reel! (don’t forget to follow!)
Looking to add bold, expressive colour to your next creative project? These vibrant Watercolor Art Journal Backgrounds by Clikchic Designs are the perfect blend of abstract texture and painterly charm. With layered brushwork, rich colour palettes, and hand-painted details, they’re ideal for junk journaling, digital scrapbooking, card making, and mixed media art.
Each background is a high-resolution printable and designed to fill cuttable shapes in Silhouette Studio® for stunning print & cut designs. Whether you prefer warm reds and pinks or cool purples and blues, you’ll find the perfect match among these eight unique backgrounds.
Give your crafts that expressive, hand-painted touch with Clikchic Designs. Whether you’re designing cards, ephemera, or digital pages, these backgrounds are sure to spark your creativity.
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