Resize Embroidery Designs
How to Resize Embroidery Designs Without Losing Quality
Resizing embroidery designs can be tricky — and if not done correctly, it can cause quality loss, especially if your software tries to convert the design into editable outlines or objects.
What You Should Know First:
Most designs are stitch files, not vector objects. Resizing stitch files too much can result in:
- Too dense stitching (when shrinking too much)
- Gaps or distortion (when enlarging too much)
Many embroidery programs automatically convert stitch files to outlines when resized — this often changes the design and reduces quality.
Recommended Method (Keep Stitch Count the Same)
If you absolutely need to resize:
-
Hold down the CTRL key (in most embroidery software) while resizing.
This tells the program to keep the original stitch count instead of recalculating it. -
Only resize by small amounts (typically no more than 10–20%) to preserve quality.
-
Always test-stitch resized designs on scrap fabric before using them on your final project.
Why This Works:
Holding CTRL keeps the design in its original stitch-based form — so you're scaling the placement of stitches, not converting the design into editable shapes. This reduces the risk of too much density or thread breaks.
Need multiple sizes?
Good news — many Artapli designs already include multiple hoop sizes, perfectly digitized for each one. Always check your ZIP folder first!