Practical guide

From photo to a chart you can actually stitch.

A good conversion is not the one with the most pixels or colours. It is the smallest clear set of stitch decisions that preserves what you love about the image.

1. Step 1

   Choose a readable photo

   Start with one clear subject, useful contrast and enough light. Tiny faces and busy backgrounds lose information when reduced to a stitch grid.

2. Step 2

   Crop before adding stitches

   Pick the finished aspect ratio and place the focus on the feature that matters. Removing empty background gives the subject more stitches.

3. Step 3

   Balance grid and fabric

   More stitches preserve detail but increase time and chart pages. Use the size calculator to translate stitch dimensions into finished inches.

4. Step 4

   Reduce colours deliberately

   Begin at 24 colours. Compare lower and higher counts at the same grid. Fewer colours can simplify the supply list; more can preserve shading but may add small patches. Neither restores missing photographic detail.

5. Step 5

   Inspect confetti

   Isolated stitches can add sparkle or create needless thread changes. Compare the measured cleanup preview, apply it only if the subject remains readable, and undo if needed.

6. Step 6

   Print and test

   Choose A4 or US Letter, check orientation, print at 100%, verify the legend and stitch a small colour area before committing to the whole project.

For pets, follow the photo and background preparation guide. Use the same-photo palette comparison to judge colour choices. Save a free Project backup before paying for your own printable exports.