Ink/Stitch vs Melco DesignShop 12
Ink/Stitch
inkstitch.orgMelco DesignShop 12
melco.comSide by side
| Figure | Ink/Stitch | Melco DesignShop 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Spec score · Embroidery Design Software | 8.7 (#5) | 7.3 (#22) |
| 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. | It supports DST, EXP, EXP+, EPS, ART8, PES, EMB, and Melco’s OFM format; ART8 and EMB are marked import or open only. |
| Purpose | Ink/Stitch is an open-source machine embroidery design platform based on Inkscape and SVG. | DesignShop 12 is embroidery digitizing software with design capabilities and tools for creating embroidery designs. |
| Support | Support is provided through an Inkscape forum, chat channel, GitHub bug reports, videos and Facebook groups. | Melco offers technical support by phone and email, along with an online knowledge base and FAQs. |
Plans
Melco DesignShop 12
- Lettering$590, paid once
- Editor$890, paid once
- Vector$1,990, paid once
- Professional$2,890, paid once
In their own words
Ink/Stitch
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.
Melco DesignShop 12
Melco DesignShop 12 has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.