Which embroidery file format does my machine need?
Pick your machine and see which file format to use. If you are not sure, DST is the safest first try.
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The common formats
| Format | Used by | Stores thread colours? |
|---|---|---|
| DST | Tajima and most commercial machines; also read by many home machines | No, only colour-change stops |
| PES | Brother and Baby Lock | Yes |
| EXP | Melco, and some Bernina models | No |
| JEF | Janome | Yes |
| VP3, HUS, XXX | Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff and Singer (depends on the model) | Varies |
Which formats a given model reads changes between models and software versions. Check your machine's manual.
Machine format versus design format
A machine format is just a way of writing the same stitches. The same design saved as DST, PES or EXP stitches the same pattern; what differs is what the machine can read, and whether the file also carries thread colours. If your machine reads DST, you can usually use DST for everything, and you set the thread colours at the machine.
If your format is not available
Open the design in your machine's own software or any embroidery editor and save it in the format you need. The stitches carry over; only the file wrapper changes.
You can check what a file contains, whatever its format, with the free file viewer.
Questions
What is the safest format if I am not sure?
DST. It is the most widely accepted format, understood by commercial machines and by many home machines. Try it first and check your manual if it is refused.
Do I lose quality converting between formats?
The stitch positions are the same. Converting between formats should not change the pattern, though some details such as thread colour names may not carry over.
Which formats do ThreadType files come in?
Lettering and appliqué designs download as DST, PES and EXP.