# Making thread portraits with the String Art Generator > a photo redrawn as thread stretched between pegs String art turns a portrait into thousands of straight chords: a single dark thread zig-zags between pegs around a ring, and where the chords pile up, the image darkens. This tool solves the hard part, computing which peg to visit next, and gives you everything physical: an SVG peg ring for the laser, a numbered thread sequence as a text file, plus faux options that score or print the finished thread pattern directly onto a panel. Choose your adventure: thread the real thing for a meditative heirloom, or let the laser score the computed pattern in minutes for the look without the labour. Processing is local; your photo never uploads. ## What you need - **Real string art (laser):** laser cutter, 3 mm [laser-grade plywood](https://yxecreations.com/collections/laser-grade-plywood) for the peg ring, a spool of dark sewing thread or fine crochet cotton - **Faux scored version (laser):** laser cutter and a light-toned panel, plywood or pale [acrylic](https://yxecreations.com/pages/acrylic-sheets) - **Printed version:** any printer (or a print shop for large formats) and a frame ## Step 1 - Upload and adjust Open the tool and upload a photo; high-contrast portraits on plain backgrounds convert best. Shape the tones with **Gamma**, **Brightness**, and **Contrast**; string art only renders darkness, so push the midtones until the subject dominates the preview. ## Step 2 - Tune the threading - **Board Diameter** (150 to 600 mm) sets the physical size. Hole diameter and edge clearance set the inset peg circle; the peg limit keeps at least 1 mm of material between holes. - **Number of Pegs** controls angular resolution; around 200 to 300 suits portraits. - **Thread Count** is the maximum number of chords. The generator stops when more lines no longer improve the image, and shows the actual step count and estimated thread supply. - **Thread Darkness** controls how much each pass darkens the pattern and artwork preview. The preview is illustrative; real thread thickness and tension affect the finished piece. - **Min Peg Separation** forbids short hops along the rim that waste thread on the edge. - **Thread Colour** sets the export color for the faux versions. ## Step 3 - Export Four downloads cover every route: the **Peg Board SVG** (cut file with inset peg holes and optional engraved numbers), the **thread sequence TXT** (the peg-by-peg instructions), the **thread SVG** (every chord as vector lines for scoring), and a high-res **PNG** of the simulated result for printing. ## Laser: Real & Faux String Art ### Real thread on a laser-cut ring 1. Cut the Peg Board SVG from suitable plywood. Match the hole diameter to your pegs and check the cut template before cutting. 2. Fit the pegs and anchor the thread at peg zero, at the top of the board. Peg numbers increase clockwise. 3. Open the sequence TXT and follow it peg by peg; a highlighter and an hour-long playlist are the real tools here. 4. Keep tension light and even; the image emerges in the final third of the sequence. 5. Tie off, dab the knot with glue, and frame in a shadow box. For the faux version, import the thread SVG instead and score every chord onto a light panel at low power; the laser draws the full pattern in minutes and the result reads as ink-drawn string art. Cut the ring outline in the same job. ## Printing ### Printing the pattern 1. Download the PNG; it uses the same thread settings as the artwork preview, at up to 300 dpi with a maximum of 4096 pixels per side. 2. Print at home up to A3, or send to a poster printer for statement sizes. 3. Matte paper sells the hand-threaded illusion better than gloss. 4. A UV-printable panel takes the same PNG straight onto wood or acrylic for a gallery-ready piece. 5. Frame behind glass with a deep mat so viewers lean in to check whether it is real thread. ## Make it yours - Thread a wedding portrait as a first-anniversary (cotton) gift, sequence file included in the card. - Pet portrait in the faux scored style for a one-evening memorial piece. - Kit gift: cut the ring, coil the thread, print the sequence, and let them thread their own. - Try a different dark Thread Colour for the printed or scored version. - Score the chords and engrave a name plate into the same panel in one job. - Giant 600 mm ring above the fireplace, threaded over a family movie marathon. - Heart-photo string art for Valentine's using a tight square crop. - Print a mini version as the card that accompanies the real threaded gift. --- Open the String Art Generator: https://www.mylasertools.com/string-art-generator Read online: https://www.mylasertools.com/learn/guides/string-art-generator