Embroidery File Formats

Your machine only reads certain stitch formats, and sending the wrong one is the most common reason a file arrives and won't load. These guides explain what DST, PES, EXP, JEF and the other formats actually contain, which brands use which, and how to open, check and convert them. On the artwork side, they cover the vector formats worth sending (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) and why a native working file matters when you need to resize later.

6 articles

AI, EPS, SVG and PDF: Which Vector Format to Send

What each vector format is actually for, which one your printer or signmaker wants, and how to check a file is genuinely vector before you send it.

Threadizers TeamSep 19, 2026

PES Files: Converting Logos for Brother and Babylock Machines

What a PES file holds that a DST doesn't, the version compatibility trap, and how to get a logo onto a home or semi-pro Brother machine properly.

Threadizers TeamSep 13, 2026

How to Open a DST File (and What You Can Actually Edit)

Free ways to view a DST, which software can genuinely edit one, and why a DST is much harder to change than people expect.

Threadizers TeamAug 21, 2026

Which Embroidery File Format Does Your Machine Need? (Brother, Tajima, Barudan & More)

Not sure which embroidery file your machine reads? Here's the right format for Brother, Tajima, Barudan, Janome, Bernina and other popular machines — no guesswork.

Threadizers TeamJul 22, 2026

What Is a DST File? The Embroidery Format, Explained

A DST file is the universal embroidery format that tells a machine where to stitch. Here's what's inside one, why it has no thread colors, and when to use it.

Threadizers TeamJul 19, 2026

DST vs PES vs EXP vs JEF: Embroidery File Formats Explained

Embroidery file formats mostly come down to which machine reads them. Here's a clear DST vs PES vs EXP vs JEF comparison, and which one to actually ask for.

Threadizers TeamJul 16, 2026