What is an embroidery file format?

An embroidery file is a machine-readable stitch sequence that tells an embroidery machine exactly where to put each stitch, in what order, what stitch type, what color, and where to trim. Unlike a vector logo (.ai, .eps, .svg) that describes shapes, an embroidery file describes physical stitches. The machine can't read a logo — it needs the stitch file.

DST (Tajima Data Stitch) is the universal commercial embroidery format. Created by Tajima for their commercial machines, it became the de facto industry standard. Almost every commercial embroidery machine — Tajima, Barudan, ZSK, Brother, Melco — reads DST. If your shop only sends one format, send DST.

EXP (Melco Expanded) is the native format for Melco/Amaya commercial embroidery machines. It supports more advanced stitch information than DST including color stops and trims. Most Melco shops accept DST but produce slightly cleaner output from native EXP files.

JEF (Janome Embroidery Format) is the native format for Janome home and semi-commercial machines. JEF files include color information that DST doesn't. If you're embroidering on a Janome MB-4, MB-7, or similar machine, JEF is the right format.

PES (Brother Embroidery System) is the native format for Brother and Babylock home embroidery machines. PES includes color and design information. PES files are the most common home-embroidery format on the consumer market — but commercial shops typically convert PES to DST for production.

Which file format should I send my embroidery shop?

DST is the safe answer — every commercial shop reads it. If your shop runs Melco machines, EXP produces marginally better output. If your shop runs Janome or Brother semi-commercial setups, JEF or PES respectively. Ask your shop directly: "What's your preferred file format?" and provide that.

Can I just send a JPG or PNG of my logo?

No — that's a logo, not a stitch file. The shop has to digitize it (convert it to a stitch file) before they can run it. Digitizing is a one-time service typically running $40-150 depending on logo complexity. After digitizing, the shop owns a DST/EXP/JEF/PES of your logo for all future orders.

Do I get to keep the digitized embroidery file?

Industry practice varies. Some shops include the file with the digitizing fee, some keep it as their working file. Best practice: ask upfront. If you change shops or want to embroider somewhere else, having the .DST file in hand saves $40-150 on re-digitizing. Get it in writing.

How-To

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

A working technical guide to embroidery stitch file formats — what each one does, which machines use them, and how to know your file is right.

Bighorn Threads Team8 min readMay 9, 2026

Commercial embroidery machine reading a DST stitch file with thread cones loaded

What an Embroidery Stitch File Actually Is

An embroidery machine doesn't see your logo. It sees a sequence of instructions:

Move the needle to coordinate (X, Y).
Drop the needle, lay a stitch.
Move to next coordinate.
At stitch #1,247, pause and wait for thread color change.
At stitch #2,930, trim and jump to next location.

The stitch file is that instruction sequence — sometimes 10,000+ stitches for a complex chest logo. Different machine brands invented different file formats to encode these instructions. The four common ones: DST, EXP, JEF, PES.

For the upstream side — turning a logo into a stitch file in the first place — see our logo digitizing 101 guide.

DST — The Universal Commercial Standard

Format: Tajima Data Stitch (.dst)

Origin: Tajima — the dominant commercial embroidery machine maker.

What it stores: Stitch coordinates, stitch types (running, satin, fill), color change stops, jump stitches, trim commands.

What it doesn't store: Specific thread colors. DST stores "color stop" markers but the operator picks the actual thread.

DST became the universal commercial format because Tajima dominated the high-volume embroidery market for decades. Almost every commercial machine — Tajima, Barudan, ZSK, SWF, Melco, Brother PR-series — reads DST natively or via direct conversion. If you only know one format, know DST.

EXP — Melco Native

Format: Melco Expanded (.exp)

Origin: Melco — Denver-based commercial embroidery machine manufacturer.

What it stores: Everything DST does, plus more granular trim and color information specific to Melco's Acti-Feed thread tensioning system.

Melco's Amaya, EMT, and Bravo X commercial machines run native EXP. Most Melco shops also accept DST and convert. The difference in output between native EXP and converted DST on a Melco machine is small but noticeable on tight-tolerance work.

JEF — Janome Native

Format: Janome Embroidery Format (.jef)

Origin: Janome — Japanese sewing and embroidery machine maker.

What it stores: Stitch data plus specific color references mapped to Janome thread color codes.

JEF is the native format for Janome home and semi-commercial machines (MB-4, MB-7, Memory Craft series). Janome multi-needle setups in small commercial shops use JEF natively. Most don't accept DST without conversion.

PES — Brother Native

Format: Brother Embroidery System (.pes)

Origin: Brother and Babylock home embroidery lines.

What it stores: Stitch data plus thread color information mapped to Brother's color library.

PES is the most common home-embroidery format. Brother PE-series and Babylock machines are the dominant home-machine brands, so the format proliferated. Brother's PR-series commercial machines also accept PES, but most professional shops use DST for commercial production and PES only for home-machine work.

Format Quick-Reference Table

Format	Native Brand	Stores Color?	Universal?
DST	Tajima	No (color stops only)	Yes — universal
EXP	Melco	Yes (Melco palette)	Most commercial accept
JEF	Janome	Yes (Janome palette)	Janome only natively
PES	Brother / Babylock	Yes (Brother palette)	Brother + some commercial

Other Formats You'll See

EMB — Wilcom, the dominant digitizing software. EMB is the working/source format with full design data. Most shops digitize in EMB and export to DST for production.
VP3 / VP4 — Husqvarna Viking / Pfaff home machines.
XXX — Singer Futura.
HUS — older Husqvarna Viking format.
SEW — Janome legacy format, predecessor to JEF.
VIP — older Viking format used on some Pfaff machines.

What to Send Your Shop

If your shop already digitized your logo, ask what format they kept. If you're sending a logo for first-time digitizing, send the highest-quality vector you have — see our vector logo file setup guide.

After digitizing:

Get the DST file in your inbox. This is the portable, universal version of your logo.
Optionally get the EMB working file. If you ever need edits, EMB is what an embroidery digitizer needs to work from.
Get clarity on ownership. Some shops include files with digitizing, some treat them as proprietary. Clarify before paying.

Embroidery digitizing in Las Vegas

Bighorn Threads digitizes logos and delivers DST files alongside production runs. We run Tajima commercial heads — DST native, no conversion overhead.

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