Bead pattern maker
Fit an image onto a 29 × 29 board locally in your browser. Compare colors, edit beads and print a measured PDF template.
From pixels
to a personal project.
Choose an image on the left—or start with the cat below—to compare three color limits, edit individual cells and download a printable PDF chart.
Original example illustration. Your result is generated from the image.
How to make a bead pattern from an image
- Choose and crop. Open a JPEG, PNG or static WebP, or try the cat example. A bold silhouette and simple background make details easier to follow on a small board.
- Measure your board. Enter horizontal and vertical center-to-center hole spacing in millimeters for the single 29 × 29 board. The image keeps its physical proportions and is centered in the grid.
- Compare and edit. Generate three color limits and compare actual colors, isolated beads and beads in small regions (1–2 connected cells). Paint, erase or remove edge-connected background; Undo restores an edit.
The conversion runs locally in your browser. The current tool supports a single 29 × 29 board and generic demonstration colors.
The cat, as a bead pattern
This original AI illustration is converted with the same local algorithm as your own image. This is the saved Balanced example with a limit of 8 colors. It is a pattern preview, not a photograph of a finished craft.
439 beads in 6 colors. At the demonstration pitch of 5 × 5 mm, the grid footprint is 14.50 × 14.50 cm. The span between the first and last peg centers is 14.00 × 14.00 cm; this is not the board’s outer size.
Download the bead sample PDFHow to use this PDF: print at 100% or Actual size with Fit to page off. Measure the 100 mm calibration line on paper, then compare hole centers with your board before placing beads. White cells contain material; blank cells are left empty.
View the sample color quantities
| Symbol | Demo color | Count |
|---|---|---|
| A | WhiteDEMO-01 | 108 |
| E | CaramelDEMO-05 | 48 |
| F | BrownDEMO-06 | 57 |
| H | BlackDEMO-08 | 65 |
| K | SilverDEMO-11 | 42 |
| R | OrangeDEMO-18 | 119 |
Measure your 29 × 29 board before printing
The default 29 × 29 grid with 5 mm spacing is an unverified demonstration setting. Measure center-to-center across several pegs on your own board in both directions and divide by the number of gaps before generating a template.
Full-grid footprint uses cells × pitch, while peg-center span uses (cells − 1) × pitch. Empty cells around your subject stay blank and contain no beads. Compare single-board bead conversions or generate blank millimeter graph paper to test your printer first.
Save your project and check print scale
Use Save project to download an editable JSON backup, then check your downloads. A recent browser draft can help you resume in this browser, but it is not a reliable backup.
Print the PDF at 100% or Actual size with Fit to page turned off, then measure the 100 mm calibration line on paper before placing beads. Enable Mirror PDF if your ironing workflow flips the finished piece. Read the bead spacing and printing guide for step-by-step calibration.
Questions before you start
What images fit a single 29 × 29 bead board?
Choose a single recognizable subject with a clear outline and strong contrast. At 29 cells across, fine lines, small lettering and busy backgrounds quickly merge. Crop closely around the subject before generating.
How do I measure pegboard hole spacing?
Measure from the center of the first peg to the center of a peg several columns or rows away, then divide by the number of gaps between them. For example, 10 pegs span 9 gaps; if 9 gaps measure 45 mm, enter 5 mm. Measure horizontally and vertically separately.
When should I enable Mirror PDF?
Enable Mirror PDF when your fusing or ironing steps flip the finished piece and your design has asymmetric details, such as a cup handle or directional profile. The on-screen preview stays unmirrored while the exported PDF reverses columns.
What does an exported bead pattern include?
A PDF contains a true-scale placement chart with symbol labels, global coordinates, a 100 mm calibration line and a color key with individual bead counts. PNG exports a preview image with empty cells transparent. JSON saves your editable project.
Does the tool provide brand bead codes or multi-board layouts?
No. Colors come from a generic 32-color demonstration palette, not verified brand bead codes or a shopping list. Only one 29 × 29 board is supported; multi-board patterns are not included.