Ink/Stitch

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Score7.1

Rank#4 of 28

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onBrowser extension, Linux, macOS, Windows

Summary

Ink/Stitch is free, open-source machine embroidery design software that runs as an Inkscape extension and works with SVG designs. It requires Inkscape version 1.0.2 or higher. Its lettering tools let you type text using pre-digitized fonts or make custom fonts for use in the tool. Stitch options include running, bean, ripple, satin, fill, cutwork, redwork, and tartan patterns, with manual stitch placement also available. You can preview an animated stitch-out or stitch plan, then create PDFs with realistic rendering or line drawings. Thread tools support palettes from more than 60 manufacturers, 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 supports Linux, macOS, and Windows. The project is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later. One format limitation is that Brother PEC and PES files cannot save more than 255 color changes. Help is available through a forum, chat, GitHub bug reports, tutorials, and Facebook user groups.

Who it is for

Ink/Stitch suits hobbyists and professional digitizers who want embroidery design tools within Inkscape. It may also appeal to users who need lettering, stitch previews, thread palettes, and machine-file export options.

What is good

Free and open-source under GNU GPL.
Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows.
Offers multiple stitch types and manual placement.
Supports palettes from more than 60 manufacturers.
Imports and exports many embroidery formats.

What to know first

Requires Inkscape 1.0.2 or higher.
Brother PEC and PES files cannot save over 255 color changes.
Does not provide auto-digitizing.

Verdict

Ink/Stitch provides a broad set of embroidery design and preview tools as an Inkscape extension. Confirm the Inkscape requirement and format-specific color-change limit fit your workflow.

Ink/Stitch plans and pricing

All plans

Ink/Stitch Free Free and open-source embroidery design software · runs as an Inkscape extension inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on embroidery design software

Free plan: Yesinkstitch.org
Auto-digitizing: Noinkstitch.org
Stitch simulation: Yesinkstitch.org
Appliqué tools: Yesinkstitch.org
Vector import: Yesinkstitch.org
Machine file formats: DST, EXP, G-CODE, JEF, PEC, PES, TBF, U01, VP3, XXX, 100, 10o, BRO, DAT, DSB, DSZ, EMD, EXY, FXY, GT, HUS, INB, JPX, KSM, MAX, MIT, NEW, PCD, PCM, PCQ, PCS, PHB, PHC, SEW, SHV, SPX, STC, STX, TAP, ZHSinkstitch.org
Supported platforms: bothinkstitch.org

Facts

Purpose: Ink/Stitch is an open-source machine embroidery design platform based on Inkscape and SVG.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
Audience: The project aims to be approachable for hobbyists while providing tools for professional digitizers.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
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.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
Lettering: Its lettering tool supports typing text, choosing pre-digitized fonts, and creating custom fonts for use in the tool.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
Stitch tools: Available stitch types include running, bean, ripple, satin, fill, cutwork, redwork, and tartan patterns, with manual stitch placement also supported.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
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.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
Thread management: Users can install thread palettes from over 60 manufacturers, create palettes, and match design colors to selected palettes.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
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.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
Integrations: Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension and requires Inkscape version 1.0.2 or higher.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
Platforms: The project provides releases for Linux, Windows, and macOS; its macOS download page supports Monterey (12) and later.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
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.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
Support: The project offers help through a forum, chat, GitHub bug reports, video tutorials, and Facebook user groups.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
Notable limit: The help page says Brother PEC and PES formats cannot save files with more than 255 color changes.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026
Community: Ink/Stitch is a community project that invites contributions such as bug reports, tutorials, documentation, translations, and programming.inkstitch.org · 30 Sept 2026