The world of embroidery is evolving — and so are the tools. If you're someone who loves working on-the-go, you’ll be happy to know that you can digitize embroidery on iPad. Whether you're designing custom logos, crafting monograms, or experimenting with your next creative project, the iPad offers a surprisingly capable platform for embroidery digitizing.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best apps, tools, and techniques for digitizing embroidery on iPad, along with expert tips and a professional shortcut if you want perfect stitch-ready files — fast.

Want a fast and flawless digitized embroidery file? Digitizing Buddy offers professional embroidery digitizing services, delivering files compatible with all major machines — including PES, DST, EXP, and more.

Can You Really Digitize Embroidery on an iPad?

Yes — while traditional embroidery digitizing is often done on desktop software like Wilcom or Hatch, modern iPads (especially those with Apple Pencil support) offer impressive capabilities through design and drawing apps. With the right workflow, you can design, trace, and export art that can be digitized for embroidery — or even perform light digitizing within certain apps.

However, there are limitations to what you can do on iPad alone — especially when it comes to creating machine-ready stitch files like PES or DST. Most of the time, iPad users focus on preparing the artwork, then send it to a digitizing service or desktop software for conversion.

Recommended Workflow: iPad + Pro Digitizing

Here’s a simple and modern workflow used by many embroidery artists:

1. Draw your design on iPad using a vector or sketch app
2. Export the image in a high-resolution format (SVG, PNG, PDF)
3. Send it to a digitizing service (like Digitizing Buddy) to convert it into an embroidery file
4. Load the machine-ready PES/DST/EXP file into your embroidery machine
5. Stitch away!

This lets you stay creative on your iPad, while relying on professionals for perfect machine formatting.

Best iPad Apps for Embroidery Artwork

While you won’t find full-scale digitizing apps like Wilcom for iPad, there are some powerful design apps that embroidery creators love:

1. Procreate

• One of the most powerful drawing apps on iPad
• Works beautifully with Apple Pencil
• Great for sketching embroidery motifs, lettering, and patterns
• Export in high-res PNG or PSD

Tip: Use solid colors and clean lines for best digitizing results.

2. Affinity Designer

• A vector design app that rivals Adobe Illustrator
• Perfect for clean logos, icons, and text-based embroidery
• Supports SVG export, which is ideal for digitizing

Best for: Creating crisp, scalable embroidery designs

3. Vectornator

• A free vector design app for iPad
• Ideal for creating logos, text art, and simple illustrations
• Easy export to SVG and PDF

Combine Vectornator with Digitizing Buddy for flawless vector-to-stitch conversion.

4. Adobe Fresco

• Combines vector and raster brushes
• Supports Apple Pencil pressure sensitivity
• Export to Photoshop or Illustrator formats

Great for embroidery artists who want more control over brush effects and textures.

5. Canva (iPad Version)

• While not designed for embroidery, it's popular for creating logo layouts
• Export as PNG or PDF
• Works well for simple text and icon designs

Avoid gradients, fine lines, or drop shadows — these don’t convert well to stitches.

What iPad Apps Can Actually Create Embroidery Files?

Unfortunately, there are no true embroidery digitizing apps on iPad (yet) that export to PES, DST, or similar formats. However, you can:

• Create your design on iPad
• Send it to a desktop app (like Hatch or SewArt) for digitizing
• Or — much easier — upload it to a professional digitizing service like Digitizing Buddy

File Formats to Export from iPad

When exporting your design for embroidery digitizing, use one of the following formats:

Always export in high resolution (at least 300 DPI for PNGs) and avoid compression.

Tips for Great Digitizing Results from iPad Designs

To ensure your iPad design digitizes well into stitches:

• Use bold, clean outlines — no pencil shading or gradients
• Keep text large and legible (at least 0.25” tall)
• Use solid fill areas with distinct colors
• Avoid effects like glow, drop shadow, or blur
• Mention intended use (e.g., cap front, jacket back) when sending to a digitizer

From iPad Design to Machine File: The Easy Way

Here’s how to turn your iPad creation into an actual embroidery file:

1. Create and export your design (PNG, SVG, PDF)
2. Go to Digitizing Buddy
3. Upload your design and request PES, DST, or the format your machine needs
4. Receive the digitized file via email (usually same-day)
5. Load the file onto your embroidery machine
6. Start stitching!

Why Use Digitizing Buddy with Your iPad Designs?

Digitizing Buddy specializes in converting digital designs (including iPad-created art) into machine-ready embroidery files. Whether you’re stitching on hats, hoodies, tote bags, or towels — they’ve got you covered.

What You Get:

• PES, DST, EXP, and more formats
• Same-day turnaround available
• Perfect for Brother, Babylock, Janome, Ricoma, and others
• Affordable pricing with free minor edits
• Excellent for both beginners and pros

“I create all my designs in Procreate, then send them to Digitizing Buddy. They ALWAYS stitch perfectly.” – Tara L., Etsy Shop Owner

Compatible Embroidery Machines for Digitized Files

Once your iPad design is digitized, it can be stitched on any machine that accepts formats like:

• PES (Brother, Babylock)
• DST (Tajima, Ricoma)
• EXP (Bernina, Melco)
• JEF (Janome)
• XXX (Singer)

If unsure which format to request, Digitizing Buddy will help you choose the right one based on your machine model.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Mobile Embroidery Design

Embroidery is no longer tied to a desk — and neither are you. With an iPad and the right apps, you can:

• Create beautiful, digitizable designs
• Export them in high-res formats
• Get them converted into perfect embroidery files
• Stitch them on your machine — wherever you are

Whether you’re designing for business, gifts, or creative fun, your iPad can be the start of something stitch-worthy.

Ready to Turn Your iPad Design into Embroidery?

Let Digitizing Buddy transform your iPad artwork into flawless, machine-ready files — with fast delivery and top-notch stitch quality.