Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about embroidery design files.
What is an embroidery design file?
It is a digital file with the exact instructions an embroidery machine follows: every needle position, plus when to jump, trim and change thread color. It is not an image; it is a list of stitches.
What is the most universal embroidery format?
DST. It was created by Tajima for commercial machines and almost every machine and program can read it. Its downside is that it stores no thread colors.
Which format is best for my machine?
The native format of your brand: PES for Brother and Baby Lock, JEF for Janome, EXP for Bernina, VP3 for current Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff, HUS for older Viking, XXX for many Singer models and DST for commercial machines.
Can I open an embroidery file on my computer?
Yes, with embroidery software. Free options include Embrilliance Express and Ink/Stitch. Many programs also show thumbnails of embroidery files in your file browser.
Can I turn a JPG or PNG into an embroidery file?
Not by renaming or simple conversion. The image must be digitized, either manually by a digitizer or with an auto-digitizing tool. Manual digitizing gives far better results.
Why does my design show the wrong colors on the machine?
Some formats (DST, EXP) store no colors, and others (JEF, HUS, PEC) only store a brand palette. The machine shows default colors. Follow the design's color chart.
Can I resize an embroidery design?
Only a little: about 10 to 20 percent is usually safe for stitch files. For bigger changes use the working file or software that recalculates stitch density.
Does converting a design lose quality?
The stitches themselves are not changed by a straight conversion, so the stitch-out stays the same. What can be lost is extra data like thread colors, hoop information and trims.
What is the difference between a stitch file and a working file?
A stitch file (DST, PES, JEF…) holds only the final stitches and is what the machine sews. A working file (EMB, ART…) holds editable objects and settings, so the design can be changed and recalculated.
How long does a design take to stitch?
It depends on the stitch count and machine speed. At 700 stitches per minute, 10,000 stitches take about 15 minutes plus color changes.
Can I sell items made with designs I bought?
Only if the license allows commercial use. Most sellers allow selling stitched items with a commercial license, but never sharing or reselling the files.
Why will my machine not read my USB stick?
Many machines only read smaller USB sticks formatted as FAT32, and may need files in the root folder. Also make sure the files are unzipped and in a supported format.