Embroidery File Formats Explained: What’s the Difference Between .PES, .DST, and More?
- lydiablue
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 12
If you've ever downloaded or purchased an embroidery design, you've probably seen a list of file types like. PES.PES, .DST, .EXP, .JEF, and more—and wondered: "Which one do I actually need?"
Understanding embroidery file formats is a big part of working with embroidery machines. The file you use determines whether your design will stitch out correctly on your machine. Let’s break it down!
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🧵 What Is an Embroidery File Format?
Embroidery files contain stitch data—instructions your embroidery machine reads to know:
Where to stitch
What type of stitches to use
How many colors are in the design
The size and sequence of stitches
Each brand of embroidery machine uses its own preferred format, which is why designs often come in a ZIP file with several types included.
📂 Common Embroidery File Formats (and What They’re Used For)
.PES
Used by: Brother, Baby Lock
Details: One of the most popular formats for home embroidery machines
Fun Fact: If you use Embrilliance or PE-Design software,. PES is your go-to
.DST
Used by: Commercial machines (Tajima), some multi-needle machines
Details: Simplified format; often required for professional digitizing
Note: Doesn’t always store color information—your machine may auto-convert it
.JEF
Used by: Janome machines
Details: Janome’s specific format that stores stitches and color info
Tip: Make sure your file matches your specific Janome model for best results
.EXP
Used by: Bernina
Details: Works with USBs for Bernina machines; used in BERNINA’s ArtLink software
Note: Sometimes paired with a .INF or .BMP file for color information
.VP3 / .VIP
Used by: Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff
Details: Both formats are used by machines and software in the SVP Worldwide family
Tip: Some designs come with both versions—use the one your machine recognizes best
.XXX
Used by: Singer machines
Details: Not as common but still seen with older Singer embroidery models
.ART
Used by: Older Bernina software
Details: Proprietary format—only works within Bernina’s original software environment
🧠 Bonus: What About .BX Files?
.BX files aren’t machine files, but they’re worth knowing! They’re used with Embrilliance software and allow you to type embroidery fonts like keyboard text. Once you set up a word in Embrilliance, you can save it as a machine format (like .PES or .DST).
Having a .BX file is beneficial because it takes less time to spell out a word than having to look through folders of stitch files to find and place each letter in a word.
🔁 Converting Between Formats
Many embroidery software programs (like Embrilliance, SewWhat-Pro, or Hatch) allow you to open a design and export it in your machine’s format. This is super helpful if:
You bought a design in .DST but need .PES
You want to switch machines
You offer files to customers with different machine types
Always double-check stitch settings and design size when converting formats. Some formats drop color data or don’t include trims or jumps in the same way.
✨ Final Thoughts
Choosing the right embroidery file format doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
Always download the format that matches your specific machine brand, and if in doubt, consult your machine manual or embroidery software.
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