Ink/Stitch
Ink/Stitch is free, open-source machine embroidery design software that runs as an Inkscape extension and works with SVG designs.
What Ink/Stitch is
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.
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.
Watch out
- Requires Inkscape 1.0.2 or higher.
- Brother PEC and PES files cannot save over 255 color changes.
- Does not provide auto-digitizing.
Who it suits
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.
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.
Plans and prices
From Ink/Stitch's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | GNU GPL software · Linux, Windows and macOS · Inkscape required |
| Ink/Stitch | Free | Free and open-source embroidery design software · runs as an Inkscape extension |
The facts
Each one read from Ink/Stitch's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Audience
- The project aims to be approachable for hobbyists while providing tools for professional digitizers.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Code signing
- Windows binaries use free code signing supplied through SignPath.io and the SignPath Foundation.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Command-line use
- The project sitemap lists documentation for running Ink/Stitch extensions from the command line.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Community
- Ink/Stitch is a community project that invites contributions such as bug reports, tutorials, documentation, translations, and programming.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Current release
- The installation pages identify Ink/Stitch 3.3.0, released July 31, 2026.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Developer setup
- Developers can clone the source with Git, install Python dependencies, generate INX files and symlink the project into Inkscape's extensions directory.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- The official manual covers installation, workflows, stitch types, file formats, fonts, PDF output, troubleshooting and developer topics.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- A documented Ink/Stitch XML namespace exposes embroidery attributes for fills, strokes, satin columns, underlay, stitch length and visual commands.checked 15 Oct 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.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Import and export
- Ink/Stitch imports embroidery files for stitch-level editing and exports single or multiple formats in batches.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Independent description
- NC State Libraries describes Ink/Stitch as a free open-source Inkscape extension that converts vector designs into machine-readable embroidery files.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Independent feature summary
- FabLab Region Nürnberg lists stitch previews, simulation, path optimization, custom fonts and exports such as PES, DST, JEF, EXP and VP3.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Independent limitation
- A FabLearn academic paper says Ink/Stitch creates quality embroidery but lacks the power of advanced commercial embroidery programs.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension and requires Inkscape version 1.0.2 or higher.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Lettering
- The lettering tool supports keyboard text entry, pre-digitized fonts, custom fonts and font filtering by category, size and glyph coverage.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The project is free and open source under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later.checked 15 Oct 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.checked 30 Sep 2026
- 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.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: learning curve
- Independent reviewers report that the embroidery-specific workflow can be unintuitive and that advanced features are harder to learn.checked 15 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 15 Oct 2026
- 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.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: preview workflow
- Users reported that the newer stitch-plan preview was slower and less accessible than the older realistic-preview workflow.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Manual stitch placement
- Users can place individual stitches precisely by hand.checked 15 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- 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.checked 15 Oct 2026
The full review of Ink/Stitch
Ink/Stitch is a free, open-source embroidery design extension built around Inkscape and SVG. It is best for hobbyists and professional digitizers who want detailed stitch control, broad machine-format support, and no licensing bill. The main compromise is accepting an Inkscape-dependent workflow and a Brother PEC/PES color-change ceiling.
Overview
Ink/Stitch places machine-embroidery tools inside Inkscape instead of presenting a separate editor. Inkscape 1.0.2 or newer is therefore required, so it makes the most sense if vector artwork and an Inkscape workflow already suit you. Vector import and manual stitch placement give experienced digitizers a direct route from artwork to stitch planning, while the absence of auto-digitizing means artwork is not converted automatically for you.
The GNU GPL version 3.0-or-later license keeps the software free to use, share, and contribute to. That is a meaningful advantage for makers, educators, and professionals who want to inspect or improve an open project rather than commit to a paid proprietary package.
Key features
Stitching and lettering
Running, bean, ripple, satin, fill, cutwork, redwork, and tartan stitch types cover both common fills and more specialized effects. Manual stitch placement is useful when stitch direction and positioning need deliberate adjustment, although it also places more responsibility on the operator. The lettering tool accepts typed text, includes pre-digitized fonts, and lets users create custom fonts for Ink/Stitch, making it more practical for names, labels, and repeatable branded work.
Preview, documents, and palettes
An animated stitch-out preview shows the sewing sequence, while a stitch-plan preview helps inspect the underlying plan before export. Customizable PDFs can use realistic rendering or line-drawing mode, and a detailed PDF view can accompany machine files for planning or reference. Thread management is unusually flexible for a free tool: palettes from more than 60 manufacturers can be installed, personal palettes can be created, and design colors can be matched to a selected palette.
Formats and constraints
Import and export cover widely used formats such as DST, EXP, JEF, PEC, PES, VP3, and XXX, alongside an extensive list of additional machine formats including G-CODE, HUS, SEW, SHV, and TAP. Brother PEC and PES files cannot save more than 255 color changes. Designs that exceed that threshold need another format or a revised color plan, so Brother owners with heavily color-layered work should check this before committing.
Support and trust
Help is available through a forum, chat, GitHub bug reports, video tutorials, and Facebook user groups. The project also welcomes bug reports, translations, documentation, tutorials, and programming contributions. On Windows, downloads use free code signing from SignPath.io with a SignPath Foundation certificate and a published signing policy, an extra reassurance when installing community software.
Pricing
Ink/Stitch — free. The single plan includes free and open-source embroidery software delivered as an Inkscape extension. There is no paid tier and no free trial period because the software is free to use. The trade-off is not a subscription limit but the need to supply Inkscape and to work within format-specific constraints such as the 255-color-change PEC/PES cap.
Platforms
Ink/Stitch is available as an extension for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Inkscape 1.0.2 or higher is a prerequisite on each desktop platform.
Who it's for
Choose Ink/Stitch if you are a hobbyist who wants a substantial toolkit without a software fee, or a digitizer who values stitch-level control, vector import, previews, detailed PDFs, and manufacturer palette matching. It is also a strong fit for users who prefer GPL software and want to participate in an active community project.
Look elsewhere if automatic digitizing is central to your workflow, if you want a standalone embroidery application rather than an Inkscape extension, or if your Brother PEC/PES designs routinely exceed 255 color changes.
Pros and cons
- Pro: The GPL free plan removes licensing cost while preserving a broad professional-oriented feature set.
- Pro: Numerous stitch types, manual placement, lettering, previews, and PDF modes support both creative exploration and careful production planning.
- Pro: More than 60 manufacturer palettes and color matching help translate screen colors into thread choices.
- Con: Requiring Inkscape 1.0.2 or newer adds a separate dependency and makes the workflow less direct than a standalone editor.
- Con: Brother PEC and PES output is capped at 255 color changes.
Alternatives
Boldbobbin is worth considering if you want a freemium service spanning iOS, macOS, web, and Windows, with a free Personal plan.
Alternatives to Ink/Stitch
Boldbobbin
mySewnet Embroidery
PEmbroider
Embird
StitchConsole
Brother PE-DESIGN 11