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Dishwasher Magnets: FREE Cut File & Printable

Now, I will never mix up the clean and dirty dishes again! Now I will never mix up my clean and dirty dishes again! Here's a fantastic step by step tutorial for using Silhouette Printable Magnet Paper to create Dishwasher Magnets. Free cut file and printable included. These would make great shower, housewarming, or hostess gifts!

Let me play out a little scenario of our dishwasher woes.  Perhaps you can relate?

Person A sees the dishwasher is getting pretty full and decides to run it.  After its cycle, person A pops it open to grab a clean spoon.  The green “clean” light is deactivated.

Hours later, person B finishes her bowl of ice cream and decides to be proactive and load it in the dishwasher.  Plus, she spies a few used cups lying around to add to the mix.  Since it’s getting pretty full, she decides to run it.

Person A walks into the kitchen, perplexed at why the dishwasher is running again.  Person B clarifies that she had no idea it was already clean…no green light…not totally full…and they simultaneously shake their heads at their crossed wires and their doubly cleaned dishes.  Sigh.  And that’s the second time this week!

Has this ever happened in your household?  It seemed like it was happening to Mark and I a lot lately…and since we didn’t want to waste any more water than we already have, it was time for a solution.  A solution of crafty proportions!

I give to you, Clean & Dirty Dishwasher Magnets!

Now, I will never mix up the clean and dirty dishes again! This tutorial includes both a Silhouette cut file and a FREE printable for those who want to cut out the magnets the old-fashioned way: with scissors! These would make great shower, housewarming, or hostess gifts!

This actually hearkens back to “clean” and “dirty” magnets my Mom had for our dishwasher growing up…though instead of having two separate ones, I thought I’d do a combo move to make it even easier, so we’re more likely to use it.  Mark and I have already put ours to use, making a habit of flipping it to the clean side when starting the dishwasher; and flipping it back to dirty after unloading it.  I’m hopeful we can stick to it!

Freebies!

Might this lil number be of use to you, too? Well, then, great! I’d love to share some freebies with you. I have the Dishwasher Magnet designs in two different file formats, so everyone gets to play: a free Silhouette cut file for those of you with a Silhouette or digital craft-cutter and a free PDF printable for everyone else! You can simply buy the Printable Magnet Paper, print the design, and use scissors to cut the magnets out. Easy as pie!

This freebie is accessible to all subscribers of my free email newsletter! Sign-up to join using the nifty form below, and then hop over to your inbox to access your download. {Fine print: these designs are for personal use only and are not to be used for commercial purposes. Thanks!}

FREE Printable & Cut File for Silhouette Studio: Clean & Dirty Dishwasher Magnets in 3 color combinations. Such a great shower or hostess gift idea!

And in addition to these freebies, I’d like to share the step-by-step tutorial with screenshots for how I created my design.  My hope is to help show beginner Silhouette-users how easy it is to do.  Also, this was my first time fiddling around in the new V3 software, so I was eager to do a tutorial using some of the new features.  For the most part, it was extremely intuitive, so if you’re still putting off the upgrade, I encourage you to go for it.  The Silhouette site has the most updated version of the software that worked out a lot of the initial kinks.

Tutorial

To create a perfect circle, drawn an ellipse using the lefthand toolbar, and then use the SCALE window to specify an even width and height.  You’ll need to uncheck “lock ratio” to do this.

Step by step tutorial for how to create printable dishwasher magnets in Silhouette studio. via thinkingcloset.com

I decided to fill this circle with the color white, since it will eventually become the white border around my circular magnet.

Step by step tutorial for how to create printable dishwasher magnets in Silhouette studio. via thinkingcloset.com

Next, I created an internal offset to define that white border (essentially a circle perfectly centered within the larger circle).  The offset tool is one of my favorites!

Step by step tutorial for how to create printable dishwasher magnets in Silhouette studio. via thinkingcloset.com

Then, I dragged the inner circle to the side and filled it with white, as well (this is necessary for this next step to work).  Now, to find the center line of the circle, I used the “draw a line” tool on the left toolbar and drew a straight line top to bottom between the circle, using the grid lines as a guide.  Focus on drawing it straight rather than centering it…because in order to center it, all you’ll do it select both the circle and line at once (using the shift key on a Mac), and then open up the ALIGN window and select “align center.”

Step by step tutorial for how to create printable dishwasher magnets in Silhouette studio. via thinkingcloset.com

Now, you’re going to grab your knife from the lefthand toolbar and follow that same line from top to bottom.  This will slice your circle in half perfectly, creating two new half-circle shapes.  (I find it helps to zoom in close when doing this kind of detail work.)

Step by step tutorial for how to create printable dishwasher magnets in Silhouette studio. via thinkingcloset.com

Zoomed in, you’ll see there’s now a slight gap between the two halves.  Close that gap so the line overlaps, temporarily group the two by selecting them both with the shift key and grouping them (command G).  Then, center the smaller circle back inside the larger circle by select both circles and using the ALIGN window to “align center” and “align middle.”

Step by step tutorial for how to create printable dishwasher magnets in Silhouette studio. via thinkingcloset.com

Now, you can ungroup the inner circle, and fill each half with a contrasting yet coordinating color.  I used the advanced fill color features to really get the light blue and yellow I wanted.

Step by step tutorial for how to create printable dishwasher magnets in Silhouette studio. via thinkingcloset.com

Then, I decided to use the fork and knife from my Etched Bakeware project to create a divider between the two sides.  To help you get a true sense for color, you can not only fill color, but choose your line color to match.  And of course, I aligned the shape center and middle.

Step by step tutorial for how to create printable dishwasher magnets in Silhouette studio. via thinkingcloset.com
Note: I later went two shades darker on the gray.

Then, used the TEXT STYLE window to add my “squeaky clean” and “dirty dishes” text, using two of my favorite fonts: Callie Hand & Bebas.  Instead of writing upside-down, I just highlighted all of the shapes and rotated them 90 degrees, which is a feature you can find by selecting OBJECT from the top menu, then ROTATE.

Step by step tutorial for how to create printable dishwasher magnets in Silhouette studio. via thinkingcloset.com

After creating two more color combinations, I decided to prep my magnets for printing.  First, I turned registration marks on by selecting “style 1” in the REGISTRATION MARKS window on the top toolbar.  (Registration marks help your machine know where your images are when it comes time to cut, so this is a very important step.)  Then, I adjusted my PAGE SETTINGS so the page is defined as 8.5″ x 11″.  Then, I filled up my page with as many circles as would fit without going past the red margin lines or the gray hatch marks.

Setting up a print-and-cut design in Silhouette Studio. DIY Dishwasher Magnets by thinkingcloset.com

Then, I ran a test-print on plain paper, which I’m so glad I did because I was able to see that my gray wasn’t dark enough and my magnets were a bit smaller than I wanted.  So, I made my adjustments in Silhouette Studio, loaded my printer with my Printable Magnet Paper (so that it would print on the shiny white side), and printed it using photo printing settings; I find they print a bit crisper and brighter that way.

Printable Magnet Paper for your Silhouette. The possibilities are endless! via thinkingcloset.com
Print Dishwasher Magnets on the Printable Magnet Paper...then prepare to cut them on your Silhouette or with old-fashioned scissors! via thinkingcloset.com
Print Dishwasher Magnets on the Printable Magnet Paper...then prepare to cut them on your Silhouette or with old-fashioned scissors! via thinkingcloset.com

Now, before cutting, we have to tell the machine what to cut…because we just want that circular outline cut and not the rest of the design.  So, you’ll find in the CUT SETTINGS window, you have the option to select “no cut,” which I did first (turning off all the red lines), and then I just selected “cut edge.”  The red lines on my outer circle shows that that’s what my machine will cut…nothing else.

After that, my page was ready to be stuck to my mat, loaded into my Cameo, and cut.  I will say that it’s easy to mix up the Printable Magnet Paper with the Adhesive Magnet Paper, so just be sure you have the right one when making your selection.

Preparing to cut Dishwasher Magnets on Printable Magnet Paper. A Silhouette tutorial by thinkingcloset.com

TIP: If you find your material is not properly adhering to your mat or is coming loose during cutting, don’t be afraid to use painter’s tape to tape down the edges onto your mat prior to cutting.  I found that even with a pretty sticky mat, the magnet paper needed some painter’s tape to ensure it stayed stuck!

I always run test-cuts now, so I did that first, double-checking that the recommended settings of a blade depth of 4 were correct (which they were).  Now, it took me a while to find the “test cut” option in the new V3 software.  And the only way to use it is to not select “send to Silhouette” at the bottom of the CUT SETTINGS window (see above screenshot), but instead proceed to SEND TO SILHOUETTE window.  There, you’ll see a teeny tiny triangle in the upper right-hand corner of the gray box.  Select it while your mat and media is loaded and your machine will cut out a tiny box and triangle in the upper right-hand corner.  Unfortunately, it appears like you can no longer make multiple test cuts in the new software.

How to make a test cut in the V3 software for Silhouette Studio via thinkingcloset.com

Then, once I confirmed my blade depth was correct, I selected “start.”  I’m always a bit amazed, but every time, my machine finds those registration marks and cuts right where it should.  Like magic.

TIP:  If you find your machine is not cutting where it should or fails to detect registration marks, there might not be enough light on your machine.  Shine a flashlight on those registration marks as your machine spots them and that should do the trick!

Cutting out the Dishwasher Magnets on my Silhouette...last step in the process!

And like that, my dishwasher magnets were cut!

Never mix up the clean and dirty dishes again! This tutorial includes both a Silhouette cut file and a FREE printable for those who want to cut out the magnets the old-fashioned way: with scissors! These would make great shower, housewarming, or hostess gifts!
Never mix up the clean and dirty dishes again! This tutorial includes both a Silhouette cut file and a FREE printable for those who want to cut out the magnets the old-fashioned way: with scissors! These would make great shower, housewarming, or hostess gifts!
Never mix up the clean and dirty dishes again! This tutorial includes both a Silhouette cut file and a FREE printable for those who want to cut out the magnets the old-fashioned way: with scissors! These would make great shower, housewarming, or hostess gifts!

I slapped one on my dishwasher because clearly, we needed it.

Never mix up the clean and dirty dishes again! This tutorial includes both a Silhouette cut file and a FREE printable for those who want to cut out the magnets the old-fashioned way: with scissors! These would make great shower, housewarming, or hostess gifts!

The extras I plan on tucking into shower, housewarming, and hostess gifts.  Wouldn’t it be perfect to gift along with a tea towel and wooden spoon?

Never mix up the clean and dirty dishes again! This tutorial includes both a Silhouette cut file and a FREE printable for those who want to cut out the magnets the old-fashioned way: with scissors! These would make great shower, housewarming, or hostess gifts!
Never mix up the clean and dirty dishes again! This tutorial includes both a Silhouette cut file and a FREE printable for those who want to cut out the magnets the old-fashioned way: with scissors! These would make great shower, housewarming, or hostess gifts!

Now, my next problem to solve is how to get the dishwasher to magically unload itself. I think I might need to text Mary Poppins to help me with that one….

Thanks for tuning in, friends!

Full Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase using my code, I receive a small commission.  Please rest assured that as always, I only recommend products that I use and love like my Silhouette Cameo!  (In fact, I’m officially obsessed.)

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46 Comments

  1. Thank you so much for sharing the template! It was so easy to print 🙂 Now onto the cutting! I’m so glad I found your blog. I’ve had a like-hate relationship with my Silhouette because it doesn’t always feel intuitive. So I’m hoping to follow your projects and love my Silhouette too!

    1. This BLEW. MY. MIND. Truly, I am so honored and flattered that you were able to use my original design for your laser cut project. Can’t wait to feature you in my next Reader Showcase! Thanks for dropping by to share the exciting news, Kevin! Keep creating.

  2. I SO wish I could make this work. Maybe when I am more familiar with my machine. Mine just keeps saying “registration failed”, even with a flashlight shining in there.
    Really cute tho. Maybe some day I will get it. 🙂

  3. THANK YOU! I just finished making these for my dishwasher and made extra for my sister. Really needed this for my house.

  4. So practical and cute, too! Great gift idea and hopefully it solved your problem at home, too! Looking forward to seeing how you use the Silhouette on our next visit!

  5. Well, let me say: I wish my only problem was unloading the dishwasher! I don’t need these magnets because I don’t have a dishwasher *cue dramatic wail and sob*
    So how do I know when my dishes are dirty? Whenever they’re piled up to the left of my sink.
    Seriously, my life is really tough.
    On the bright side: lovely tutorial as always! 🙂

  6. Want, want, want, want, want! Seriously Lauren, is there anything you make that I don’t want? Right now I’m wishing that we lived closer so we could make things together!! Thanks so much for this project!

  7. Hey Lauren!! So stinking cute and thanks so much for the cut file!! Just an FYI, I have done several test cuts per project with V3 DE before. If you’re still having troubles let me know and I’ll post directions in the group tonight when I get home.

    1. Oooo! Have you? I’d love to know how you manage the multiple test cuts. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to do that…and I’m guessing others might have the same question! Do post in the group if you can! 😉 Thanks, Heather.

  8. That’s neat, I didn’t know the cricut could do magnets. We have a handcrafted version similar to your magnet on our dishwasher — but it has smiley faces so my toddler could tell which was clean and which was dirty! We LOVE our magnet…

    1. Pretty crazy, right? I’ve had it in my possession for a while now, too, and was just waiting for the right project for it…then, bam! I had the moment of inspiration about our dishwasher dilemma. So far, it’s working out great! Thanks for the warm words and pin-love, Jill.

  9. This is darling! I really need one in my house– the guys seem to have trouble with figuring it out! 🙂 How did you get the magnet to stick on the stainless steel– it always seems to fall off for me?!

    1. Somehow, we managed to end up with a stainless steel dishwasher and fridge that are magnetic (I know not all of them are). Maybe you could use a sticky-backed clip to stick on the dishwasher and just clip a laminated sheet of cardstock to it? A bit of a workaround…but it might be worth it to save some water!

      1. I love this magnet. It is so cute…I paid waaay to much for a suction cup version of one of these on amazon….unfortunately my dishwasher isn’t magnet either. But when this one breaks, which I’m sure it eventually will, I think I will hang one of these on a suction cup.

  10. Thanks for the file and the tutorial. I won’t be able to use it until I update though……I guess I better bite the bullet,huh?

    1. That’s right! I forgot that you can’t go back to V2 with the V3 files. Yes, you should TOTALLY upgrade. I was definitely skeered to do it, but I found that with the most recent update, it worked out the major kinks from the first release. I didn’t run into any issues on my first run. Hoping the same for you, Sharon!

  11. So Great!! I need one.You know how many times we rewash clean dished because someone adds a few random dirty plates and glasses to the mix. Really Cute.

  12. Love these!! I haven’t been brave enough to try printing something on my silhouette and then cutting it. You’ve gave me the push. I’m going to make these magnets this weekend. Thanks so much!!

    1. Oh Crystal, you can SO do it! I was really intimidated by print-and-cut, as well; but it really is not as scary as it seems. The registration marks do all the work for it. It’s magical! Just make sure you are working in plenty of light (natural light is the best) or have a flashlight handy to help your machine identify those registration marks before cutting. Happy creating! (And if you do end up making the magnets, I’d love it if you email me a pic so I can feature you in my next Reader Showcase.)

  13. This is so clever! I don’t know how many times we forget if they are clean or dirty. I used to think if I kept it locked they were clean, but expecting Eric to do that every time was a loss cause, haha. Thanks for sharing! Pinned 🙂

    1. Ha ha. Yeah, we were going by the ole “lock means clean” method, too, but we BOTH were guilty of unlocking it to grab a clean dish…and then failing to empty it. Now, neither of us have a good excuse for accidentally re-running it!

  14. My family needs this! We have an ongoing challenge of the clean vs. dirty dishes in our house. Too often one of us adds dirty to clean dishes and we have to run everything all over again. Pinning!

    1. At least we’re not the only ones with the dishwasher challenge! And thus far, the magnet is definitely working wonders in these parts. We need one of those signs like they have on job sites: ___ DAYS ACCIDENT FREE. But instead ___ DAYS SINCE OUR LAST REWASHING. Lol.

  15. I cannot even describe how timely this post is! This very thing happened to my husband and I (several times) the other day! I was just saying how I wanted to make one of these handy magnets. Seriously, I just was! Now I am saying how much I want that Silhouette cutter! But really, this is pretty great. Also, I love the design – simple, clean (and a little dirty. hehehe) and completely adorable!

    1. Ahhhhh! I’m still pinching myself that you’re married and have a “husband!” It’s so thrilling, Dusty. Really. I wish you two the utmost happiness!

      And I love that we are so on the same page with the clean/dirty magnet handiness…and that you were thinking THE SAME THING. We’ve always been kindred spirits, Dusty, so in a way, it’s no surprise. And thanks for the compliments on the design! I was definitely going for all those things…so mission accomplished! 😉

    1. Claire, one of the MANY things I love about you is that I can hear your voice so vividly in your writing…even in comments. Makes me miss you, girl! And wonder if we can squeeze in our lunch date before Haven…?

  16. Lauren I love these! All of the ones I’ve seen have not been pretty enough for my tastes, and I put making a pretty version towards the bottom of my project list. Thanks for giving us a ready made, pretty version!! I will be printing and cutting soon. I may even do it in V3.

    1. Wow! I’m so glad to hear it has the Valerie stamp of approval. And that you think it’s pretty! (Imagine me skipping around the living room…because that is how I feel right now after reading your comment.) And yes, you can totally do it in V3. It really wasn’t the big bad scary monster I expected it to be. I promise!

  17. I can totally relate! Mark and I are constantly asking, “clean or dirty?” Printing one of these ASAP and putting it to use! (This will also be great this summer when Marley is home and doing chores around the house!) Thanks girl!

    1. Yay! So happy to hear that it will be of use in your household! No more check-ins about clean or dirty needed. And look at you, good Mama getting Marley to help out with chores. I need you to get my rear in gear over here with some chores, too. Any tips for laundry folding motivation?

  18. I LOVE it!!! I’m usually the only person in the house that knows if the dishes are clean or dirty since I am the only one that does them but a magnet like this would save a lot of trouble of my oldest or my husband calling me if I’m not home to ask if the dishes are clean or dirty!

    P.S.-Thanks for the free files!

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