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An Ink/Stitch alternative for when you just want the file
Ink/Stitch is a free, open-source add-on for Inkscape and a favourite of people who enjoy digitizing by hand. If you'd rather upload a picture and get a stitch file, InstaEmbroid does that part for you.
Updated
Side by side
| InstaEmbroid | Ink/Stitch | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free plan; paid from $5 a month | Free, open source |
| Install | Nothing: runs in the browser | Inkscape plus the Ink/Stitch extension |
| From a picture | One click, with subject presets | Trace to vectors, then assign stitches yourself |
| Control | Settings and per-shape edits | Full control of every path |
| Phone and iPad | Yes | No |
| Formats | PES, JEF, DST, EXP, VP3, XXX | Many, including all of these |
Use both
They work well together. Let InstaEmbroid do the heavy lifting on a photo or logo, then open the file in Ink/Stitch or any other editor if you want to fine-tune individual stitches.
Questions
Does Ink/Stitch have auto-digitize?
Not one-click from a picture. You trace the image into vector shapes in Inkscape, then tell Ink/Stitch which stitch to use for each. It's powerful but takes practice.
Is it free?
Previews are free and unlimited, and the Free plan downloads 3 designs a week in every format. New accounts get every feature, the AI photo tools included, free for their first week, with no card needed.