How To Make

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:

  1. 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.

  2. Only resize by small amounts (typically no more than 10–20%) to preserve quality.

  3. 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!

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