Is Stamped Cross Stitch Cheating?

Short answer: no

Longer, more honest answer: stamped cross stitch is simply a different way of stitching. It's not a shortcut, a lesser craft, and it's definitely not cheating.

Let’s unpack where the idea comes from, why it sticks around, and why it deserves to be put to rest.

Where does the “cheating” idea come from?

In the cross stitch world, counted stitching has long been treated as the “gold standard”. You count, you mark, you double-check, you frog, you count again. There’s a sense that struggle equals skill and anything that removes that struggle must somehow remove value.

Stamped cross stitch removes one specific difficulty: counting and placement. The design is already printed onto the fabric, so you always know where your next stitch goes.

For some people, that feels like breaking an unspoken rule.

But here’s the important question…

What actually defines cross stitch skill?

Cross stitch skill has never been about counting squares.

It’s about:

Tension control
Neat, consistent stitches
Coverage and direction
Finishing a project that looks beautiful

Stamped cross stitch does not remove any of those.

You still:

Stitch every single cross by hand
Work with dozens (or hundreds) of colours
Spend months on large, full-coverage designs
Develop patience
Refine your technique

The only thing you’re not doing is constantly checking a chart.

That’s not cheating. That’s choosing a workflow that suits you.

“But it looks easier…”

Easier doesn’t mean inferior.

Using:

A daylight lamp
A needle minder
A scroll frame
Pattern Keeper
Pre-sorted floss

…also makes stitching easier. Most people don't call those cheating (I know, there'll always be that one person who does).

Stamped cross stitch simply shifts your mental load:

Less counting
Less eye strain
Less fear of miscounting
More flow
More relaxation

For many stitchers, that’s exactly the point.

The relaxation factor (and why it matters)

For a lot of people, stitching is:

Stress relief
A coping tool
A way to rest an overworked brain
Something done alongside illness, fatigue, or pain

Stamped cross stitch allows you to pick up and put down your work without penalty. You never lose your place. You never need to re-orient yourself. You just stitch.

That accessibility isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength.

“But counted looks better…”

Only if the rendering and materials are better.

A stamped project can look identical to a counted finish when:

The artwork is properly rendered for stitching
The colour palette isn’t artificially reduced
The finished size is chosen for detail, not cost
The symbols are clear and accurate
The fabric and thread quality are high

Stamped doesn’t determine the outcome. Design quality does.

A beautifully rendered stamped project deserves just as much pride as any counted piece.