How to Use Inkstitch for Free Embroidery Digitizing: A 2025 Guide for Beginners
Is there any free embroidery digitizing software for home-based embroiderers and hobbyists alike? We came across many such questions searched by folks for their Mac, Windows, and iPad. Although all embroidery digitizing software is pricey, Inkstitch is the only hope for all novice digitizers in 2025. This free and full-featured software has everything a novice needs to start their digitizing journey. In this review, we will explore how Inkstitch is favored all around in light of user feedback and our trials. Let’s dive deep into Inkstitch's creative capabilities!
For more about embroidery digitizing softwares. you can visit: 8 Best Embroidery Software For Digitizing
Table of Contents
Inkstitch as free embroidery software
Inkscape is a vector drawing program and it has inkstitch as an extension to be used for embroidery digitizing. If you have Inkscape installed in your operating system, then you will be able to install and run Inkstitch. Inkstitch is free, multilingual, and cross-platform software equipped with all the basic digitizing features. As Inkstitch belongs to the open-source category, its features and tools are updating and improving constantly. A complete guide on How to Install InkStitch on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Its new beta version 3.1.0 has been released with some updated tools, extensions, and features. Now you can enjoy more fonts, stitch types, color palettes, and import-export options, and fix the bugs. If you have vector experience, this program won't take you long to make fun of it.
Being new to embroidery digitizing, you will be able to follow things in inkstitch.
- Create, flip, rotate, and resize designs.
- Create, import/export, preview, and tweak color and embroidery files in the machine
- Edit or generate a custom pallet
- Experiment with lettering tools
- Use pre-digitized stable, multi-color fonts with glyph filter
- Simulate and preview design parameters
- Troubleshoot digitizing errors
3.1.0 in Stitch Installation Guide
You can use the new Inkstitch version 3.1.0 on Mac OS, Windows (34/64 bit) and Linux. To download, click here.
Windows
Mac OS
- Download Inkstitch 3.1.0 for Mac (Monterey)
- Inkstitch 3.1.0 for Mac OS (Higher Sierra)
Linux
Note: Inkstitch 3.1.0 has successfully tested on Firefox, Chrome, Edge, and Safari on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Some users claim that it also works on older Mac systems.
Steps to install Ink/stitch on MacBook Pro:
1- First go to inkscape.org (official website) and download the current stable version.
Choose your operating system, let's say you want to run it on Mac.
This new version will only be installed on the MacBook Pro, so go and select arm architecture.
2- Before its installation, go back to Inkstitch.org.
Select the latest version, choose the operating system (Sonoma Mac OS), and click on download. Then close this tab.
3- Click on Inkscape and drag it into an application.
It will ask if you want to replace your previous version, tap yes.
That's how the new Inkscape version is downloaded. To run it, first, go and update the inkstitch add-on.
4- When you double-click on it, a box pops up that asks you to click continue to install it.
The new beta version of Inkstitch is easy to install as compared to its old version. When you click install, you are all done.
Now you can move all the old versions to the trash.
Quick set Inkscape and choose Inkstitch as default.
You are ready to explore Inkstitch novel features and updates.
Inkstitch tools and features for embroidery digitizing:
Have a look at enhanced in stitch 3.1.0 capabilities and tools for embroidery digitizing:
Diverse stitch collection
We use two stitches, stroke, and fill in our embroidery parama settings. But there are a lot of stitches to choose from. You can easily create these stitches with a bizarre tool.
Running stitch- It is a kind of straight line that you can use as an outer boundary for an embroidery project. Such as embroidering a running stitch around a twill design, towel, or any shape.
Bean stitch- It uses two lines of thread for a bold-looking design. Work best to add more detail in embroidery designs and stitch out as dash lines.
Manual stitches- They are used to create some node points of your stitches where the needle pokes into the embroidery design.
Zig-zag stitches- If you leave a stroke without converting it into a satin stitch, it is called a zig-zag stitch.
E- stitch- Mostly used for applique work.
This is not the end of the list. You can also clone any of the two stitches which is a newly released feature of the beta version of Inkstitch.
Lettering
Inkstitch has a bunch of fonts in different sizes, colors, and styles. It also allows users to add custom letters to their designs. In the new beta version, its updated feature enables sorting fonts in a specific category. Examples include choosing an applique font under the applique category from all the complex fonts. If you want to get knowledge about embroidery fonts. Then you can visit: embroidery fonts
Now you don’t need to scroll each font thanks to the added glyph filter. But they are added in a separate extension so the drawback is that the author needs to run the extension whenever they are adding glyph to a font file. You can also do creative things with the newly added 16 multicolor fonts that are stable and support transformation.
Edit, create and apply a color palette for the design
Like other paid embroidery digitizing software, inkstitch has a thread color management tool that allows you to use and create palettes. You can categorize it by a color name, manufacturer detail, and a code which you can select easily from your machine display. If you want to edit or add more color to palette.
go to: Extensions > Ink/Stitch > Thread Color Management > Palette to Text.
Make sure to save the color information file in EXP to enable the machine to follow the color scheme.
The latest version of Inkstitch comes with a new “Apply palette” feature under the head color management extension.
Go to: Extensions > Ink/Stitch > Thread Color Management > Apply Palette
This extension applies the nearest color from the thread pallets you want to choose for the particular design. Two more color palettes are added in inkInkstitchimthread glow in dark 15 color and sim thread 63 brother polyester colors.
Simulator and stitch plan preview
This tool will show how your design is going to embroider with all the settings you made. In the old version, when you select the object and move to the Inkstitch extension, under the visualize and export option, you will get the simulator preview. But in the latest beta version, they have separated the simulator from the realistic preview to let you have more control over embroidery settings.
You can look at your design, play, and pause all the embroidery steps with the simulation tool. And under the simulation export tab, you will find a stitch plan preview.
You can turn render mode into a realistic preview that is like a real view of the finished design and how it goes side by side. Have a quick overview of what a simulator tool can do for you.
- Let you move the design forward or rewind to keep an eye on each step
- Control the preview speed
- Zooming in and out of design
- Adjust stitch angles
- Check added commands such as start/stop point, thread trim, color changes render jumps, etc.
- Displays the overall number of stitches and thread count
- Highlight needle points
- The color you choose to keep in the pattern or skip to
It's a bit slow because the tool is loading an extensive look of your embroidery so takes time. You can send this client-oriented stitch preview to your customers to ensure they will get the same design they desire.
Stitch order preview
Visualize and Export > Display Stacking order
It lets embroiderers highlight the stitch areas of selected objects to preview stitches. Helpful feature for novices to sew stitches for a neat embroidery finish.
Generate test swatches
This feature allows you to test the embroidery setting and which stitch goes best for your design. Go to: Edit> generate swatches from selection and it will allow you to choose the setting for each sample. You can decide on stitching method, angle, spacing, changing parama, adding rows and columns, and applying the setting to your swatch. In this way, you can test the settings and preview them in the simulator tool to check how the settings work. You can also change the background color of the simulator tool to see the design.
Delete empty layers and elements from the design
There is a new feature in Inkstitch under the name of “Cleanup document”. You can easily get rid of unwanted layers and elements from the design. You can also add a test run option to display the names of elements removed from the current design setting for a better check.
Troubleshoot error
You don't need to close the simulator to see the error in any design parameter such as stitch path, spacing and pull compensation. You can easily report errors from Parama Windows directly.
Image source: GitHub/ink stitch
Benefits of using ink stitch for embroidery digitizing
This is how using Inkstitch in 2024 as free software provides you with the best value for initial embroidery digitizing.
Practice basic digitizing
If you are new to image digitizing, inkstitch offers a free platform to learn and practice digitizing. You can learn to digitize images, manage design settings, and create embroidery files. As it is free, so you have nothing to lose with it.
Multilingual and Open-access program
It is designed to cover the basic embroidery digitizing needs of clients worldwide without concerning their background. It means anyone from any region can easily access and use it in their language.
Offer versatility
The availability of multiple stitches and font categories can help unravel creativity with a single-needle embroidery machine hence making inkstitch versatile. Whether you are a graphic designer, editor, or a pastime embroidery hobbyist, you can always turn your creation into a piece of art with customized embroidery. So, we recommend trying Inkstitch first before investing in paid digitizing software for this purpose. You can use Ink/stitch to make:
- Custom patterns
- Embroidered patches
- Fringe embroidery
- Personalized gifts
- Image digitizing
- Multi-color monograms
- Lettering and logos
- Plushies
- Applique file
- Multicolor satin
- Redwork
- Outlines, and more.
Send the design details to clients
You can easily locate the export pdf option under the simulator tool. You can easily make a pdf file that only includes how much thread is used in the design, and a realistic preview of all the stitch settings you select. You can save these settings into a PDF file and mail them to your clients as a sample to ensure they get the exact setting they want. For more about the thread, you can visit: Best Way To Organize The Thread
This is not going to be a file that you use to stitch in an embroidery machine. In the beta version, the zip file export option is also included. For more details, visit their official website.
Offer community support
As Inkstitch development is a community project, they make sure to keep everyone involved in having fun with it from start to finish. You can go through their official blogs and tutorials on YouTube. These resources cover all the installation instructions and the use of tools and features for digitizing masterpieces step by step.
Limitation of using inkstitch
It does have a learning curve slightly more than paid software. Its various functions are hidden that you have to find and test for making machine embroidery better. So, it also takes a lot of time and energy to get used to its features.
Comparison of Inkstitch with hatch Embroidery software
Hatch offers a 30-day free trial for testing its embroidery digitizing features but you have to purchase its monthly subscription plans for the long run. While Inkstitch is free, add-on embroidery software. It also gives you full control over:
- Turning vector graphics into embroidery files in machine-read format
- Integrated font and stitch libraries
- Control and remove jump stitches and stitching order
There is nothing special about the Hatch free trial version which you can't find in inkstitch latest release version.
If you are looking for other software, I would recommend you to check out before buying software: Free vs Paid Embroidery Software: Which One is Best for You?
Conclusion
Inkstitch offers a simple and easy approach to test your digitizing skills. Inkstitch 3.1.0 beta version that is released in 2024 has all the bells and whistles similar to paid software. You just need to upgrade your digitizing skills rather than switching to intensive software. Once you reach the limit of mastering inkstitch features, you can dive into any sophisticated embroidery digitizing software. Also, review 8 best free and paid digitizing software here.
FAQs
Why is Inkstitch the best software in 2025 for embroidery digitizing?
It is a full-fledged, multi-platform software that is freely accessible to all entry-level embroiderers and learners. It has tons of features and tools for customized embroidery. With this software, you will be able to learn to convert SVG to embroidery files, align stitches, and color schemes, and create machine-ready files.
How can we change the embroidery setting in inkstitch?
To troubleshoot embroidery issues, you are advised to go to the parama setting. You can adjust underlay, customize the le look, disand tance between stitches, and convert stitches to add neatness to your design.
How is the beta version of Inkstitch better than its old version?
Inkstitch 3.1.0 beta version comes with the following new features such as:
- Multicolor fonts with glyph filter,
- New sim thread color palette
- Clone stitches
- Swatch generation
- zip file export options
- Bug correction etc.
How can I create designs in Inkstitch?
Create or import a design in Inkscape, then bring it into Inkstitch as a flat image (.png or jpg). Then, trace the image. It is a tedious process, but it allows you complete control over how the design comes together. You can use the same workflow for each design.
Can I convert an SVG file into an embroidery file in inkstitch?
You can change any SVG to an embroidery file but try to fix it first. SVG image has multiple layers on top of each other that make the design thick. Excessive layers result in needle and thread breakage in machine embroidery. To avoid this issue:
1- First import your SVG graphic into Inkscape.
2- Set the document size (4x4, 5x7) and go to the link stitch