Silhouette Curio vs Silhouette Cameo

This post contains affiliate links.

Wondering what is the difference between the Silhouette Curio and Silhouette Cameo? Today, we will be comparing the Curio and Cameo machines and covering the differences between them.

UPDATE: To see updated information on the Cameo 3, head over to the Curio vs Cameo 3 comparison.

What is the Silhouette Curio?

The Silhouette Curio is one of Silhouette’s newest craft machines for DIY projects that is loaded with features. The Curio has more capabilities than the Silhouette Cameo. The Curio can not only cut and draw, but also emboss, score, sketch, stipple, and etch. With dual carriages, you can mix and match functions.

Although the Silhouette Curio is more versatile than the Silhouette Cameo cutting machine, the Curio is not meant to be a replacement for the Cameo, but rather a supplement, or companion tool. The Silhouette Cameo has a 12 inch wide cutting width and can cut up to 10 feet long. The Curio machine is limited to an 8.5 inch by 12 inch cutting surface.

What can the Curio do that the Cameo machine can’t?

Here is a list of capabilities that the Curio can do, but the Cameo can’t:

• Metal and foil stippling
• Metal etching
• Dual carriage multitasking (multiple tasks in one pass)
• Embossing
• Score & Emboss
• Print & Emboss
• Deep-cut capabilities* (leather, foils, foams, and more)
• Using thicker materials as project surfaces (example: stencils sketched directly onto wood up to 5mm thick)

*To cut materials like leather and foam, you’ll need to use the deep cut blade.

The Currio comes with dual carriage heads, so you can mix and match tools. For example, you could print and cut, or print and emboss, or even use two different colored pens.

What can the Cameo do that the Curio machine can’t?

The Cameo machine is better for cutting. The cutting width of the Cameo is 12 inches, and it can cut up to 10 feet long without a mat. This is great if you are making large banners or home decor.

The Cameo also has an onboard touch screen, where you can load and cut designs without a computer using a USB drive. This is handy if you are traveling with the machine and won’t have access to a computer.

Silhouette Curio vs Silhouette Cameo Comparison

Here is a side by side comparison for the Silhouette Curio and Silhouette Cameo. Most differences are with the capabilities and cutting width.

The accessory tools for the Curio do fit inside the Cameo, and may work, but the official word from Silhouette is that it’s not recommended.

Both the Curio and Cameo will be using the same type of software, but the Curio will have more option unlocked for capabilities such as embossing and etching.

What kinds of materials can be used?

Anything type of material that the Cameo can die cut, the Curio can cut, even fabric materials. However, the Curio can use materials as much as 5mm thick and cut materials such as foam and leather, which will require a deep cut blade

Curio Etching
The Curio can etch onto soft metal surfaces, such as aluminum, copper, and brass.

Curio Embossing and Scoring
The Silhouette Studio designer is optimized to emboss and score on paper products. With some experimentation, however, you could try embossing on soft/think metals.

Overall Differences

The main difference between the Silhouette Curio and Cameo are the capabilities and size. The Curio is designed to have more variety when it comes to capabilities, like embossing and etching, but the Cameo with its 12-inch cutting width is best for cutting materials.