I use editing software the most to resize designs the right way, split large designs into smaller pieces, and add knockdown stitches and embroidery basting boxes to designs. Editing software also allows for thread color changes, basic editing of stitch properties, merging two or more designs, and many more things!
There are two broad types of embroidery digitizing: auto-digitizing and manual digitizing. The first is done with the click of a button and a few parameter specifications, whereas the second takes time and expertise. Manual digitizing produces the best embroidery designs and is how professional, commercial digitizers produce images. Regardless of the method, digitizing is the process of creating a new embroidery design either by using an image file. This is the most advanced type of machine embroidery software.
As such there are only a few free embroidery software for digitizing manually. There are also no free auto-digitizing embroidery software options at the moment. While many editing and digitizing software have font capabilities, there is also software geared directly toward working with letters and fonts to form words, names, monograms, and more.
These are easier to use by comparison. Or, if you want to digitize a few images and never digitize again, this will also be your best bet. You also do not have to use the brand of software that matches the brand of your machine.
For instance, when I was looking for free embroidery software for my Brother machine, I did not have to stick with just Brother brands. Download: HERE. Inkscape itself is an open-source vector graphics program that rivals Adobe Illustrator, a premier program for graphic designers. It also is one of the best free embroidery software for mac, since mac software options are significantly more limited than free embroidery software for Windows Ultimately, time is money!
SophieSew used to be one of the best free embroidery digitizing software, but development was stopped in when the creator reported health problems. It is a manual digitizing software that allows you to create your own embroidery designs and edit existing designs. A few times, when I tried to design in SophieSew, I ended up with fatal errors see above. It is sad that development stopped and tutorials are sparse.
That being said, this is the only other always-free embroidery digitizing software. Website: HERE. Embrilliance embroidery software is arguably the most popular embroidery software. It comes in different modules and allows you to purchase as you go. The most basic paid module is Embrilliance Essentials for basic editing and customization, while their most complex module is Stitch Artist 3, a top-tier digitizing program. One good thing about Embrilliance is they have free demo software to try before you buy.
If you want to save work and are interested in using fonts, Embrilliance Express is a free software download that helps you work with. This is a great option if you use lettering regularly.
Here are some places with free. You add your embroidery design folders into the program and then easily organize them. I tag mine by digitizer and theme. If you spend the time tagging and giving your designs extra information in the Notes section, there is a GREAT search function.
My favorite part, though, of this free embroidery design software is you can also search by maximum hoop size. This filters out large designs and is helpful for those of us with small embroidery machines! This helps me find designs that I want to delete or move to different folders on my computer.
This free embroidery software was a recent find that I have yet to try out. Based on its specs, though, it appears to perform basic editing abilities such as design resizing, template printing, file format conversion, and thread color changing.
It has very basic abilities but is a good place to start, especially if you really only want to merge or resize designs. You can convert files from one format to another, change colors, and also rotate the design. Everyone has different preferences, and the choice is about YOU, not what someone else thinks is the best embroidery software. Embroidery software goes on your computer, not your machine. You thus need to have a laptop or desktop computer to use embroidery digitizing software.
Some of these programs take up a decent chunk of space and require specific processing abilities. Keep this in mind if you are looking for embroidery software for a Mac computer. Do you have hundreds or thousands of dollars to spend on embroidery software, or do you need to start small and work your way up to a higher level of digitizing software? If the latter is true, modular programs purchased in levels might be a better fit for you.
Using a monthly subscription software or choosing one with flex pay is another viable option. Check for Facebook groups, YouTube videos, or classes from your local sewing shop before purchasing software. The more support you can find, the much easier your journey will be. This list is hard to order since the best embroidery program for someone who only wants to edit designs is not the same as for someone who wants to also digitize designs.
And as a disclaimer, I am NOT a professional, commercial digitizer but rather a gal who likes to hobby digitize and who spent a ton of time researching the differences in software before buying her own. The software I mention are more affordable for home-based embroidery enthusiasts and those wanting to dabble in small-scale design production. And, if you have sticker shock from these software, check out my best free embroidery software post.
This is an excellent place to start if you do not want to purchase something immediately. Plus, if you just want straightforward editing software, a thumbnail program, or a design organizer, the free options work great and will save you money!
This is the software I use, and this is what I feel to be the most user-friendly embroidery digitizing software. Hatch is produced by Wilcom, which is a giant in the commercial embroidery industry. Hatch comes in 4 modules that build upon and include one another. So, if you buy Hatch Digitizer, for instance, it includes the functions of the three previous levels. However, if you start with Organizer, you can later pay just the upgrade fee to add Hatch Personalizer or higher levels.
The main reasons I like Hatch more than Embrilliance, which comes later on, are the auto-digitizing option, the computer font conversion to embroidery fonts, and photo stitch. He will give you freebies and free classes on digitizing theory that will help you learn the process. Several very helpful Facebook groups also give tips for working with this software, as do many YouTube channels.
SewWhat-Pro is the embroidery editing and customization software of the two, and it offers functions similar to both Embrilliance Essentials plus Enthusiast for less money. For a fraction of the price of Hatch, this is a good option for beginners! I started here before I realized its limitations and my desire for more intricate and accurate digitizing.
One great thing about Embrilliance is it comes in different levels that build upon one another and add different embroidery abilities. I highly recommend Embrilliance Express for using downloaded. Just to note, Embrilliance Essentials and Enthusiast have to be purchased each on their own.
However, Stitch Artist 3 gives you levels 1 and 2, and Stitch Artist 2 gives you level 1. But, you still have to purchase Essentials and Enthusiast separately if you want editing capabilities. One major caveat of Embrilliance for the graphically challenged or embroidery hobbyist is that it does not auto-digitize designs or convert. While it only takes minutes to digitize a simple design manually, this is minutes that you could have spent embroidering if you used an auto-digitizing program for simple designs.
The free trial here does not allow you to save files but gives you a demo of the program. My personal experience when I trialed Embird, though, was there were too many screens and modes. Using multiple modules together was confusing for me. To use the modules, you do have to purchase the Basic Program. Here are a few details of some of the features of each program. The free trial has minimal functionality and works for 30 days or designs.
If you are willing to put in the time to learn, I think this program compares to much more expensive digitizing software. It is a fully-fledged manual digitizing software that relies on some underlying knowledge of vector graphics.
It is a VERY powerful software for the price. Beginner-friendly, though? I had a hard time at first. The higher the level, the more tools are included. You can start with level 1 and upgrade as needed. Embird is a reasonably priced embroidery digitizing program. Some people love it but others find it difficult to use. If you like drawing with Bezier curves, you may be disappointed because this tool is not incorporated into the program.
The Digitizing module is for digitizing but you must buy the basic license before getting any modules. A basic Embird digitizing class. The cost for additional modules varies. Sewart is a very inexpensive and basic embroidery digitizing program. It is often referred to is a auto-digitizing program , however it does provide you with some manual controls. SewArt does not come in different modules. SewWhat-Pro is an editor that allows you to view, edit and convert embroidery files, and SewWrite that is a lettering and monogram editor.
You may be familiar with the Janome brand name because they make embroidery machines. However, perhaps you did not know that they also offer a embroidery digitizing software. Designed to not be intimidating for beginner users. For examples, tools only appear as you need them. Only available via Janome dealers or on resellers like Amazon. There are just two different versions — the full version and the junior version.
You can upgrade from the junior to the full version of the software. There are over 60 tutorials built into the software. Another embroidery machine company who also makes embroidery digitizing software is Brother! Brother PE Design is a complete digitizing program that can do just about every digitizing task you can imagine. Some people have complained that it is not easy to install.
You can download the trial version from the Brother website. You can only purchase it through authorized dealers. You may know the name Floriani from their line of stabilizers and machine embroidery thread. But, did you also know they make an embroidery digitizing program?
Floriani has many tutorials on their site. They are also known for providing excellent support. There are also third party training programs to help you master the software.
Sewing Machines Plus offers it for less. Yes — you can download a 7-day demo version. Romantic Recollections offers 1 on 1 support with Stitch Era Universal. There are so many different pricing options. You can really configure the software to meet your needs. While Generations is not a very popular software, it is still very powerful.
Plus — there are tons of free and helpful videos available from the team behind You Can Digitize. If you purchase Generations software from Sewing Machines Plus — it comes with a comprehensive digitizing tutorial. Yes — you can download it for free and try it for 30 days. Yes — you can download and try it for 15 days.
After that period, you will not be able to export the embroidery files unless you buy the full version. Embroideryware does not come in multiple modules. However, you can choose from two different versions — one with more pre-digitized letters than the other. Mysewnet is a subscription based service created by Pfaff that gives you access to premium digitizing software, tons of pre-digitized designs as well as other useful applications.
The website allows you to enter a free trial code, but I could not find one online. I would suggest asking a Pfaff dealer about the code. I would guess that these are given out when you purchase a Pfaff embroidery machine. In order to get full digitizing capabilities, you need to opt for the more expensive subscription.
Check out their website for details. You can see now that there are a lot of different embroidery digitizing programs. For some companies, perhaps the competition got too fierce and they discontinued their programs.
The following programs are officially extinct. However, as of January 1, , it is being discontinued. It will still work if you own a copy, however it is no longer being supported.
One more important note, once you decide which digitizing software you want to buy, be sure to purchase it through the company who makes the software or a reputable dealer. You will find many digitizing software packages being sold on eBay, sometimes very cheaply. Often these are pirated copies. Subscribe to the Machine Embroidery Geek newsletter for access to this vault full of goodies! You are right!
I corrected by text. Just nine in my list but if you know of one I missed — please let me know. Just bumped into your web site.
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