How to Crop in Silhouette Studio

Are you wondering how to crop a photo into different shapes, text or number using Silhouette Studio? Then you’re in the right place! The main places I like to find svg shapes is Etsy. But, you can definitely grab some from the Silhouette Design Store, too.

For this Silhouette Studio tutorial, I’m going to show how you can crop a whole image, background and photo into a shape or number, that doesn’t involve the knife tool. Luckily, this is a feature available in basic edition, designer edition, and business edition. Personally,

If you’re a visual learner I’ve included a video at the end of this post if you want to jump to the video.

IMPORT background/photo to Crop in Silhouette Studio

The first step, after we’ve opened our Silhouette software, is to bring in the photo, graphic or background that you want to crop. You’ll go to file>merge. Once you select file>merge you’ll go to the folder that has the photo or the background that you want to crop, select the image and click ok.

The Under the Sea background I’m using is from Mujka Clipart. She offers commercial use graphics and clip art that are affordable and very diverse. (You can use code: PRETTYPARTYANDCRAFTY for 50% off)

CHOOSE shape or text

Once you have the image that you want to crop, choose the shape or text. On the left side panel, select drawing tools for your shape, select text tools for text, or if you want to use custom svg files or a dxf file for the shape, go to file>merge and select it to import it.

POSITION and resize

Now, put the new shape or text layer on top of the background or photo that you want to crop. Resize and position  it as needed to ensure the elements of your design or photo that you want seen is inside of the red line or cut lines of your shape or text.

CROP in Silhouette Studio

Finally, when you have it positioned how you want it, make sure that you select both the graphic and shape/text. With both items selected, go to the right toolbar, or side panel and select the modify tab. 

Once the modify panel opens you’ll see a pop up panel of all the modify tools. Select the crop tool and the end result is your cropped design in any shape that you chose!

I don’t know if you can tell, but I absolutely love my Silhouette Cameo. But, if you don’t have a Silhouette machine, Silhouette America will still allow you to use the design software! This is perfect if you want to create and sell cut designs in different file formats, definitely download Silhouette Studio software. And if you use the designer edition or business edition, you can create and save svg files and png files (something you’re unable to do with Cricut Design Space).

That’s it! Using the crop feature is the easiest way to crop in Silhouette Studio. This is perfect if you’re doing a quote and you want each letter to have a different color or background. It’s also great if you want a photo within a shape, such as a football or heart. So next time, I hope you are utilizing this!

And of you’ve liked this tutorial check out how to make stickers using your Silhouette Cameo.