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Tutorial: How to Create Faux Zentangle Cut Files in Silhouette Studio

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Hey small business owners, I know that December is absolutely the busiest time of year for you. Take a quick break with a fun tutorial today: How to create faux Zentangle cut files!

What is Zentangle?

Before we get started, what exactly is Zentangle? Zentangle is an art form that involves creating pictures using repetitive, doodled patterns. The creators of Zentangle, Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, offer a step by step system to follow to create the designs. They offer live classes and instructor certification programs. You can find more information about official Zentangle at this link.

So, the easiest way to create a true Zentangle pattern to use with your Silhouette is to draw one on paper or your iPad Pro and Apple Pencil; then open and cut it on your Silhouette (or Cricut).  But, you can also make Zentangle inspired cut files.

How to Create Zentangle Inspired Cut Files in Silhouette Studio

  1. Draw the outline of a shape in Silhouette Studio. If you cannot draw a shape, feel free to trace a piece of commercial use clipart or use a dingbat font. (This tutorial uses a dingbat font from the Amastery Extras font.) Tutorial: How to Create Faux Zentangle Cut Files in Silhouette Studio for Cameo, Curio, Portrait, Mint - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  2. Purchase a Zentangle inspired pattern from Etsy or Creative Market and open it in Silhouette Studio ‘File’, then ‘Open’. (I’m using this one.) I purchased a file in .eps format. This format is similar to .svg and is ready to cut. If you purchase a pattern in .jpg or .png format, you will need to trace it before being able to cut it. Your pattern should open now: Tutorial: How to Create Faux Zentangle Cut Files in Silhouette Studio for Cameo, Curio, Portrait, Mint - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  3. Copy and paste the shape from your first mat onto your Zentangle inspired pattern. (On Mac, ‘Command + C’, and ‘Command + V’. On Windows, ‘Control + C’, and ‘Control + V’.) Resize your pattern and shape as needed.Tutorial: How to Create Faux Zentangle Cut Files in Silhouette Studio for Cameo, Curio, Portrait, Mint - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  4. Make a copy of your shape and set it off to the side. Tutorial: How to Create Faux Zentangle Cut Files in Silhouette Studio for Cameo, Curio, Portrait, Mint - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  5. Select your pattern and your shape. (Hold down the ‘Shift’ key to select both at the same time.) Then, navigate to ‘Object’, ‘Modify’, ‘Crop’. Tutorial: How to Create Faux Zentangle Cut Files in Silhouette Studio for Cameo, Curio, Portrait, Mint - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  6. Your shape should now be cut out and and filled with the Zentangle inspired pattern. Right click and select ‘Group’ to group all the pieces together.Tutorial: How to Create Faux Zentangle Cut Files in Silhouette Studio for Cameo, Curio, Portrait, Mint - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  7. Drag the shape you copied onto your Zentangle inspired pattern and ‘Group’ it together. This step gives you a finished edge around the Zentangle. Tutorial: How to Create Faux Zentangle Cut Files in Silhouette Studio for Cameo, Curio, Portrait, Mint - by cuttingforbusiness.com
  8. Add additional text or design elements if desired. Your Zentangle inspired cut file is ready to cut:Tutorial: How to Create Faux Zentangle Cut Files in Silhouette Studio for Cameo, Curio, Portrait, Mint - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Love this tutorial? Share it with fellow crafters on Pinterest:

Tutorial: How to Create Faux Zentangle Cut Files in Silhouette Studio for Cameo, Curio, Portrait, Mint - by cuttingforbusiness.com

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Ting witts

Friday 7th of August 2020

Have you modified this program so we can use it with the cricut joy? How awesome would it be to have this ability to use with the cricut joy on the fly!!!!

Please let me know because I’m now all over my joy more then my silhouette 4 and Cricut maker!

Christine, Cutting for Business

Monday 31st of August 2020

I'm sorry, I'm not sure what program you are asking me to modify. This tutorial is for Silhouette Studio.

Jerri Dyke

Friday 8th of December 2017

Thank you Christine. This is an incredible amount of information and very useful and so many ways.

Christine

Friday 8th of December 2017

Happy to share!