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Ink/Stitch

inkstitch.org

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Spec score 8.7 #5 of 31 in Embroidery Design Software

What it is

Ink/Stitch is a machine embroidery design platform built around Inkscape and SVG, available as an extension for Linux, macOS, and Windows. It requires Inkscape 1.0.2 or higher and is free to use under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later. Designs can use running, bean, ripple, satin, fill, cutwork, redwork, and tartan stitches, with manual stitch placement also available. Lettering tools support typing with pre-digitized fonts or creating custom fonts. Users can preview an animated stitch-out or a stitch plan, then make a PDF with realistic rendering or line-drawing mode. Thread tools allow installation of palettes from more than 60 manufacturers, creation of custom palettes, and matching design colors to a selected palette. Ink/Stitch imports and exports embroidery formats including DST, EXP, JEF, PEC, PES, VP3, and XXX, and can export a detailed PDF view. It offers appliqué tools, vector import, and stitch simulation, but not auto-digitizing. Brother PEC and PES files cannot save more than 255 color changes.

Spec sheet

What it does
Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension for designing machine-embroidery files from SVG artwork.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Purpose
Ink/Stitch is an open-source machine embroidery design platform based on Inkscape and SVG.Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
Audience
The project aims to be approachable for hobbyists while providing tools for professional digitizers.Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
Platforms
The project provides releases for Linux, Windows, and macOS; its macOS download page supports Monterey (12) and later.Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
Integrations
Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension and requires Inkscape version 1.0.2 or higher.Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
Security
The Windows download page says free code signing is provided by SignPath.io with a certificate from SignPath Foundation and links to a code signing policy.Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
Support
Support is provided through an Inkscape forum, chat channel, GitHub bug reports, videos and Facebook groups.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
License
Ink/Stitch is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later and the page says it will always be free to use, share, and contribute to.Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
Code signing
Windows binaries use free code signing supplied through SignPath.io and the SignPath Foundation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Command-line use
The project sitemap lists documentation for running Ink/Stitch extensions from the command line.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Community
Ink/Stitch is a community project that invites contributions such as bug reports, tutorials, documentation, translations, and programming.Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
Current release
The installation pages identify Ink/Stitch 3.3.0, released July 31, 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Developer setup
Developers can clone the source with Git, install Python dependencies, generate INX files and symlink the project into Inkscape's extensions directory.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Documentation depth
The official manual covers installation, workflows, stitch types, file formats, fonts, PDF output, troubleshooting and developer topics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Extensibility
A documented Ink/Stitch XML namespace exposes embroidery attributes for fills, strokes, satin columns, underlay, stitch length and visual commands.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
File formats
It imports and exports embroidery files in formats including DST, EXP, JEF, PEC, PES, VP3, and XXX, and can also export a detailed PDF view.Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
Import and export
Ink/Stitch imports embroidery files for stitch-level editing and exports single or multiple formats in batches.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Independent description
NC State Libraries describes Ink/Stitch as a free open-source Inkscape extension that converts vector designs into machine-readable embroidery files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · lib.ncsu.edu
Independent feature summary
FabLab Region Nürnberg lists stitch previews, simulation, path optimization, custom fonts and exports such as PES, DST, JEF, EXP and VP3.Read 15 Oct 2026 · wiki.fablab-nuernberg.de
Independent limitation
A FabLearn academic paper says Ink/Stitch creates quality embroidery but lacks the power of advanced commercial embroidery programs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · tecfa.unige.ch
Lettering
The lettering tool supports keyboard text entry, pre-digitized fonts, custom fonts and font filtering by category, size and glyph coverage.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Licence
The project is free and open source under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Limit: advanced capability gap
A Reddit reviewer reports difficulty with satin stitches, thinning stitches, in-the-hoop work and appliqué, describing the tool as lacking for those uses.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: learning curve
Independent reviewers report that the embroidery-specific workflow can be unintuitive and that advanced features are harder to learn.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: Microsoft Store installation
A GitHub discussion documents extension-folder errors with the Microsoft Store version of Inkscape and recommends manually extracting the ZIP into the configured extensions folder.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Limit: mobile support
A Reddit user states that Ink/Stitch cannot run directly on an iPad, although SVG work can be prepared on a tablet and finished in Inkscape.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: preview workflow
Users reported that the newer stitch-plan preview was slower and less accessible than the older realistic-preview workflow.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
macOS requirement
macOS support starts at Monterey 12; Apple Silicon users may need Rosetta, and Inkscape 1.0.2 or newer must already be installed and run.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Manual stitch placement
Users can place individual stitches precisely by hand.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Notable limit
The help page says Brother PEC and PES formats cannot save files with more than 255 color changes.Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
Notable news
The official homepage lists Ink/Stitch 3.3.0 as released July 31, 2026 and a user meeting held May 23, 2026 in Hamburg.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Path routing
Routing tools optimize stitch paths and sequencing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
PDF output
PDF export supports realistic or line-drawing previews, operator and client layouts, thread names, stitch counts and notes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Praise: free learning path
A Reddit reviewer calls Ink/Stitch a smart free starting point that teaches digitizing fundamentals without a large investment.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Praise: Inkscape familiarity
A Reddit commenter says the combination is especially useful for people who already know Inkscape.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Preview
The software provides animated stitch-out previews, simulator views and stitch-plan previews.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Preview and output
It provides an animated stitch-out preview, a stitch plan preview, and customizable PDF output with realistic rendering or line-drawing mode.Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
Project activity
The GitHub organization exposes public Ink/Stitch, pyStitch and embroidery-fonts repositories, with the main repository marked GPL-3.0 and actively updated in October 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Stitch tools
Available stitch types include running, bean, ripple, satin, fill, cutwork, redwork, and tartan patterns, with manual stitch placement also supported.Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
Stitch types
Available stitch options include running, bean, ripple, satin, E-stitch, S-stitch, zig-zag satin, fill, contour, guided, gradient, meander and tartan stitches.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Supported operating systems
Official installers are provided for Linux, Windows and macOS.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Target users
The project is intended for hobbyists and professional digitizers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Thread management
Users can install thread palettes from over 60 manufacturers, create palettes, and match design colors to selected palettes.Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
Thread palettes
More than 60 manufacturer thread palettes can be installed, customized and matched to design colors.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Web lettering tool
Ink/Stitch Create generates PES, DST, JEF, EXP and SVG downloads and exposes more than 100 included fonts.Read 15 Oct 2026 · create.inkstitch.org
Windows requirement
Windows installation requires Inkscape 1.0.2 or newer, and the Microsoft Store build of Inkscape can cause installation problems.Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org

Plans and prices

Free Free GNU GPL software · Linux, Windows and macOS · Inkscape required Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Ink/Stitch Free Free and open-source embroidery design software · runs as an Inkscape extension Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org

Every Ink/Stitch plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later
  • Offers multiple stitch types and manual placement
  • Previews stitch-outs and stitch plans
  • Supports thread palettes from over 60 manufacturers
  • Imports and exports many machine formats

Limits

  • Requires Inkscape 1.0.2 or higher
  • Brother PEC and PES files cap color changes at 255
  • Does not offer auto-digitizing

Who it suits

Ink/Stitch suits hobbyists looking for an approachable embroidery tool as well as professional digitizers. It is for users comfortable working in Inkscape and SVG.

Verdict

Ink/Stitch combines embroidery design, stitch previews, lettering, and thread palette tools in an Inkscape extension. Its Inkscape requirement and PEC/PES color-change limit are relevant constraints to consider.

Where Specifiction places it

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