- Home
- Embroidery Design Software
- Ink/Stitch
Ink/Stitch
What it is
Ink/Stitch is free, open-source machine embroidery design software built as an extension for Inkscape and working with SVG. It requires Inkscape version 1.0.2 or higher. Its lettering tool supports typed text, pre-digitized fonts, and custom fonts. Stitch options include running, bean, ripple, satin, fill, cutwork, redwork, and tartan, as well as manual stitch placement. Users can view an animated stitch-out or stitch plan and create customizable PDFs with realistic rendering or line drawings. Thread tools support palettes from more than 60 manufacturers, user-created palettes, and matching design colors to a selected palette. Ink/Stitch imports and exports many embroidery formats, including DST, EXP, JEF, PEC, PES, VP3, and XXX, and it can export a detailed PDF view. It supports Linux, macOS, and Windows and is licensed under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later. The project offers help through a forum, chat, GitHub bug reports, video tutorials, and Facebook user groups. One format limit: Brother PEC and PES files cannot save more than 255 color changes.
For and against
For
- Free and open-source under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later.
- Includes multiple stitch types and manual placement.
- Provides animated and stitch plan previews.
- Supports palettes from over 60 manufacturers.
- Imports and exports many embroidery formats.
Against
- Requires Inkscape version 1.0.2 or higher.
- Brother PEC and PES files cannot save over 255 color changes.
- Runs as an Inkscape extension.
The verdict
Ink/Stitch combines lettering, stitch design, previews, thread palettes, and embroidery-file support in a free Inkscape extension. Check the Inkscape requirement and Brother PEC/PES color-change limit against your workflow.
Who it suits
Ink/Stitch suits hobbyists seeking embroidery design tools as well as professional digitizers. It is also for users comfortable working with Inkscape and SVG designs.
Plans and prices
Free
GNU GPL software · Linux, Windows and macOS · Inkscape required
Read 15 Oct 2026 · inkstitch.org
Ink/Stitch
Free and open-source embroidery design software · runs as an Inkscape extension
Read 30 Sep 2026 · inkstitch.org
On the record
- Audience
- The project aims to be approachable for hobbyists while providing tools for professional digitizers.inkstitch.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Code signing
- Windows binaries use free code signing supplied through SignPath.io and the SignPath Foundation.inkstitch.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Command-line use
- The project sitemap lists documentation for running Ink/Stitch extensions from the command line.inkstitch.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Community
- Ink/Stitch is a community project that invites contributions such as bug reports, tutorials, documentation, translations, and programming.inkstitch.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Current release
- The installation pages identify Ink/Stitch 3.3.0, released July 31, 2026.inkstitch.org · read 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.inkstitch.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- The official manual covers installation, workflows, stitch types, file formats, fonts, PDF output, troubleshooting and developer topics.inkstitch.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- A documented Ink/Stitch XML namespace exposes embroidery attributes for fills, strokes, satin columns, underlay, stitch length and visual commands.inkstitch.org · read 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.inkstitch.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Import and export
- Ink/Stitch imports embroidery files for stitch-level editing and exports single or multiple formats in batches.inkstitch.org · read 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.lib.ncsu.edu · read 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.wiki.fablab-nuernberg.de · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent limitation
- A FabLearn academic paper says Ink/Stitch creates quality embroidery but lacks the power of advanced commercial embroidery programs.tecfa.unige.ch · read 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Ink/Stitch is an Inkscape extension and requires Inkscape version 1.0.2 or higher.inkstitch.org · read 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.inkstitch.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Licence
- The project is free and open source under GNU GPL version 3.0 or later.inkstitch.org · read 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.inkstitch.org · read 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.reddit.com · read 15 Oct 2026
