In today’s mobile world, creativity doesn’t just happen at a desktop—and neither does embroidery design. Whether you’re a small business owner, a hobbyist, or a digital nomad, being able to digitize embroidery on iPad can save time, spark inspiration, and boost productivity.
But here’s the deal: true embroidery digitizing (converting images into machine-ready stitch files like PES, DST, JEF, etc.) is a bit more complex than sketching or designing a logo. While full digitization is still best handled on desktop software or by professionals, iPads are catching up fast—with some powerful apps, cloud tools, and stylus-compatible platforms that let you prep, sketch, and even semi-digitize designs on the go.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through:
- What’s possible on iPad (and what’s not)
- Best iPad apps for embroidery-related tasks
- Workarounds and cloud-based tools
- A professional shortcut if you want flawless digitized files without the hassle
Need your hand-drawn or digital iPad artwork converted into a stitch-ready file? Digitizing Buddy offers fast, precise, and affordable digitizing services. Just upload your image—even from your iPad—and get back a perfect file for your embroidery machine!
Can You Fully Digitize Embroidery Designs on an iPad?
Yes and no.
Currently, there is no full-featured, professional-grade embroidery digitizing software made specifically for iPad that rivals tools like Wilcom Hatch, Embrilliance, or SewArt on PC/Mac.
However, the iPad is a fantastic tool for sketching designs, editing artwork, prepping logos, and even using cloud-based embroidery tools. Plus, with the Apple Pencil, iPads have become essential creative tools for embroidery artists and digitizers.
So while you won’t create a fully polished PES or DST file entirely on your iPad just yet, you can:
- Design vector-style art
- Trace logos or illustrations
- Create layered artwork for applique
- Use SVG and PNG export tools
- Send designs to a pro digitizer in minutes
Let’s look at how.
Best iPad Apps for Embroidery Design Prep
These are the top-rated apps to create, trace, and prepare designs for embroidery digitizing—either for exporting to desktop software or sending to a digitizing service like Digitizing Buddy.
1. Procreate
Best for Hand-Drawn Designs and Logos
If you love sketching logos, florals, or personalized artwork for embroidery, Procreate is your go-to. It works seamlessly with the Apple Pencil and supports layers, brushes, and high-resolution PNG exports.
Use it to:
- Sketch clean embroidery designs
- Digitally trace hand-drawn artwork
- Export as PNG or PSD for digitizing
Tip: Use high-contrast lines and thick shapes for easier digitizing later.
2. Affinity Designer
Best for Vector Artwork (SVG)
Affinity Designer is a vector graphics app, perfect for logo work or precise designs. It’s like Illustrator—but faster and touch-friendly. If your embroidery design involves clean lines, text, and scalable elements, this is a fantastic choice.
Use it to:
- Create logos for digitizing
- Export SVGs or PDFs
- Build structured designs for patches or monograms
3. Adobe Illustrator on iPad
Powerful, Professional, and Cloud-Connected
Adobe’s Illustrator iPad app brings vector magic to your fingers. With cloud sync, you can start on iPad and finish on desktop (or send files directly to digitizers). Illustrator works great for commercial embroidery prep.
Use it to:
- Design scalable artwork
- Share to Adobe Cloud
- Export as SVG, AI, or PDF
4. Vectornator (Free)
A Free Vector Design Alternative
Looking for a free option? Vectornator is a powerful vector app similar to Affinity and Illustrator, but completely free. You can create beautiful vector files right from your iPad—great for clean, digitizer-friendly artwork.
5. Autodesk Sketchbook
For Drawing Embroidery Artwork with Precision
Sketchbook is great for drawing outlines and tracing. While not a digitizing tool itself, it helps you prepare art in PNG format to hand off for digitizing.
Cloud Tools That Work with iPad for Embroidery
You may not find fully native iPad digitizing software, but some tools offer cloud-based access that you can still use via browser or remote access apps.
1. Wilcom Hatch (via Remote Desktop or Browser)
While Hatch doesn’t have an iPad app, you can access it via remote desktop software like:
- Chrome Remote Desktop
- Splashtop
- Microsoft Remote Desktop
This lets you run full digitizing software on your PC from your iPad screen—including drag-and-drop stitching tools.
2. Ink/Stitch via iPad + External Setup
You can’t run Ink/Stitch directly on iPad, but you can:
- Use iPad to design SVG files
- Transfer them to a PC or Mac running Inkscape + Ink/Stitch
- Export machine files from there
A bit more technical, but perfect for DIYers who love tinkering.
File Formats to Create on iPad for Digitizing
While you can’t directly export PES, DST, or JEF from an iPad, you can absolutely export digitizer-ready formats, such as:
|
iPad Export Format |
Why It’s Useful |
|
PNG |
Best for tracing, clean raster art |
|
SVG |
Ideal for vector designs and logos |
|
|
Good for clean printable art |
|
JPG |
Acceptable, but avoid low resolution |
After exporting, simply upload your file to a professional digitizing service (like Digitizing Buddy) to convert it into your required embroidery format.
Turn iPad Designs into Embroidery Files: The Easy Way
Once you’ve created your design on your iPad, the final step is converting it to an embroidery machine format—like PES, DST, JEF, etc.
And that’s where most iPad users hit a wall.
Instead of downloading complicated software or switching devices, you can send your image file directly to a professional digitizing service.
Why use Digitizing Buddy?
- Accepts iPad-friendly files (PNG, JPG, SVG, PDF)
- Returns stitch-ready formats (PES, DST, EXP, JEF, and more)
- Offers same-day delivery
- Free edits and revisions
- Friendly support to guide you through
Upload your design straight from your iPad and receive a perfect stitch file you can load directly to your embroidery machine—no learning curve required.
Final Tips for Digitizing with iPad
Use High-Contrast Art
Keep lines clean and avoid gradients. Simpler designs digitize more accurately.
Know Your Embroidery Machine Format
Most iPad apps don’t export PES or DST directly—know your machine’s format and request that from your digitizer.
Combine iPad Art + Professional Digitizing
This hybrid method gives you the best of both worlds: creative freedom on iPad and stitch-perfect results from pros.
FAQs: Embroidery Digitizing for iPad
Can I digitize embroidery directly on my iPad?
Not fully. You can design and prep, but final stitch file creation (PES, DST, etc.) still needs desktop software or a pro digitizer.
What’s the best iPad app for embroidery designs?
- For drawing: Procreate
- For vectors/logos: Affinity Designer or Illustrator iPad
- For free tools: Vectornator
Can I send my iPad designs to an embroidery digitizer?
Absolutely! Services like Digitizing Buddy accept iPad-exported files (PNG, SVG, PDF) and return stitch-ready formats.
Can I run Wilcom or Hatch Embroidery on iPad?
Not directly, but you can access them remotely using desktop access apps.
Final Thoughts: Stitch Anywhere with iPad + Smart Digitizing
The iPad is an amazing tool for creativity, design, and even embroidery prep. While it can’t do full digitizing on its own (yet), it’s the perfect on-the-go companion for crafting embroidery-ready art.
Pair your iPad with a professional digitizing service like Digitizing Buddy, and you’ve got a powerful workflow: sketch or build your designs anywhere, and let the experts convert them into perfect embroidery files.
You stay creative. They handle the tech. Your embroidery game just leveled up.
