Use clear silhouettes
Broad shapes, strong edges and a limited palette translate more predictably than fine texture. Small isolated details may disappear during simplification, and tiny text may not remain readable when sewn.
Use a suitable file
Upload PNG, JPG or WebP. The current studio accepts files up to 3 MB and decoded images up to 20 megapixels. Transparent PNGs work well when you already have a cut-out design. SVG and PDF input are not currently supported.
Understand background removal
Background removal follows connected edge pixels near the average corner color. It is not a semantic AI cut-out. A complex or multi-colored background can remain, and similar colors in your subject may be removed. Turn it off if important parts disappear.
Photo conversion
Photo mode creates an interpreted fill study. Reduce the palette, use an uncluttered subject and choose a physical size with room for the important details. The screen preview cannot reproduce thread texture, fabric movement or lighting.
Colors are approximations
The engine groups pixel colors into thread blocks. You will need to choose real embroidery threads that match your intended palette. JEF and PEC use machine palettes; PES v6 and VP3 retain RGB information.
Limits to expect
The original Threadwork pipeline uses up to 360 × 360 pixels for 2–24 colors and 640 × 640 for 25–96 colors. Very small details can still be affected by rasterization and speck merging. Dense or complex artwork may hit stitch-count or processing-time limits.
Convert your JPG artwork to PES
For a compatible PES machine, use the JPG to PES converter to generate a free stitch preview. Review the design size and thread layers before choosing a paid export plan. The converter page also includes checks for a PES file your machine cannot read.
Put this guide into practice
Encoding reference: pyembroidery project. For machine-specific limits, check your manufacturer’s manual.