Guide
Embroidery file formats: DST, PES, EMB and more
Which embroidery file type does your machine need? A quick guide to DST, PES, JEF, EXP, VP3 and other formats, and what each one is for.
Quick answer
Pick the format your machine reads
Embroidery machines only sew stitch files in their own format. Use the table below to match your machine brand to the right file type.
| Format | Machines / software | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| .DST | Tajima and most commercial multi-needle machines | The most widely accepted commercial format. Stores stitches and color stops, but not thread colors. |
| .PES | Brother, Baby Lock | The standard home and semi-commercial format for Brother and Baby Lock. Stores thread colors. |
| .PEC | Older Brother machines | An older Brother format, also embedded inside PES files. |
| .EXP | Melco, Bernina | Used by Melco commercial machines and many Bernina models. |
| .JEF | Janome | The native format for Janome embroidery machines. |
| .VP3 | Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff | Used by newer Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff machines. |
| .HUS | Husqvarna Viking (older models) | The earlier Husqvarna Viking format. |
| .XXX | Singer | The format read by many Singer embroidery machines. |
| .EMB | Wilcom software | An editable working file, not a machine file. Keep it so the design can be resized or changed later. |
We deliver all of these formats with our custom embroidery digitizing service. Need artwork files for printing instead? Those are vector formats such as AI, EPS and SVG, covered on our vector art conversion page.
Common questions
Embroidery file format questions
What is a DST file?
A DST file is a Tajima embroidery stitch file. It tells the machine where to place every stitch and when to stop for a color change. Almost every commercial embroidery machine can read DST, but it does not store thread colors, so you set the colors on the machine.
What is the difference between DST and PES?
DST is the standard commercial format from Tajima and does not store thread colors. PES is the Brother and Baby Lock format and does store thread colors. Choose the one your machine reads.
Which embroidery file format do I need?
Check your machine brand: Tajima and most commercial machines use DST, Brother and Baby Lock use PES, Janome uses JEF, Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff use VP3, Melco uses EXP and Singer uses XXX. If you are not sure, tell us your machine model and we will send the right format.
Can I convert a JPG or PNG directly into a DST file?
Not properly. A JPG or PNG is only a picture. To sew well, the design has to be digitized: a digitizer sets stitch types, direction, density and underlay for your size and fabric, then saves it as DST, PES or another machine format. Automatic converters usually sew poorly.
Can one file be converted to another format?
Yes, a stitch file can be saved in other machine formats. Converting between formats does not fix a poorly digitized design, and resizing a stitch file by more than a small amount can hurt quality, so large size changes are best done from the original working file.
See embroidery digitizing prices or read more answers in our FAQ.
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