Convert JPG to DST embroidery files
JPG files work well once their compression noise is cleaned up. The digitizer smooths JPEG artifacts and blurry edges before it picks thread colors. Download a Tajima DST file for Tajima, Barudan, SWF machines.
Drop your JPG here
PNG, JPG, WebP or SVG · stays on your device
- Free account and preview
- Color sheet included
- Runs in your browser
Compression noise is filtered
"Clean up noise" removes the speckles and color fringes JPEG adds around edges, so they don't become extra threads.
Solid backgrounds are removed
A white or single-color background around the artwork is detected and left unstitched.
Fewer colors, cleaner result
Cap the number of colors if gradients or shading split into too many thread colors.
How to convert a JPG to DST
It takes about a minute, and you can preview every stitch for free before you download.
- 1
Upload your JPG
Drop the .jpg file into the box above or open the digitizer. A free account is all you need.
- 2
Set the size
Type a width, or pick your hoop from 4×4" to 8×12". The proportions are kept.
- 3
Check colors and stitches
Review the thread colors, the stitch preview and the design check. Switch off any color you don't want stitched.
- 4
Download the .DST file
Choose Tajima or the DST format and download. Copy the file to your machine by USB or its app.
The Tajima DST format
DST was created by Tajima and became the common language of commercial embroidery. Nearly every multi-needle machine, and most embroidery software, can open it.
A DST file stores needle movements, jumps, trims and color stops, but not the thread colors themselves. You assign threads to needles at the machine, so keep the color sheet that comes with your download.
Single stitches in DST are limited to 12.1 mm. The digitizer splits longer moves automatically, and encodes trims as the jump sequence Tajima-compatible machines expect.
Tips for the best result
- Use the highest-quality JPG you have. Screenshots of small logos lose detail.
- If the logo sits on a busy background, crop it or remove the background first.
- For photos, start with 4 to 6 colors and adjust from there.
More detail in our guide to preparing artwork for embroidery.
JPG to DST converter questions
The quickest way to see what it does with your artwork is to try it. With a free account, digitizing and previewing cost nothing and take about a minute.
Will JPEG artifacts show up in the embroidery?
No. Noise reduction and anti-alias cleanup run before color separation, so blocky artifacts and soft edges are folded into the nearest real color.
Can I convert a photo saved as JPG?
Yes. Photos are simplified into a few flat thread colors, which suits simple, high-contrast pictures best. See the photo-to-embroidery page for tips.
Does DST keep my thread colors?
No. DST only marks where the colors change. Use the color sheet (TXT) download to set up your needles, or choose PES, VP3 or XXX if your machine reads a format that stores colors.
Can home machines read DST?
Many can. Brother, Janome, Bernina and others often read DST as well as their native format, but the native format usually shows the correct colors on screen.
How much does Embrizo cost?
Digitizing is free. With a free Embrizo account you can upload an image, digitize it, change every setting, watch the stitch preview and sew-out, run the design check and save a PNG preview. Downloading embroidery files such as DST, PES or JEF needs a paid plan: Hobby ($20 a month, 20 design downloads), Shop ($50 a month, 100) or Pro ($100 a month, unlimited). Billed annually, plans start at $8 a month. A design counts once per month however many formats you download, and you can cancel anytime. The pricing page has the details.
Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. Your image is processed entirely on your own device in your web browser and is never uploaded. When you download, only the finished stitch data is sent to create your file. If you save a design, only the finished stitch file, a small preview and its thread colors are stored in your account, never the original image.
Keep going
Related tools and guides
- Machine guideTajima machinesDST files for Tajima commercial machines, with needle setup, sewing fields and TBF notes.Open
- Free toolHoop size calculatorFind which hoops fit your design and how far to scale it down if it's too big.Open
- Free previewText to embroidery fileType a name or monogram, pick a font and download a ready-to-sew lettering file.Open
- Free toolStitch count & price calculatorEstimate stitches, sew time and price for any design size and coverage.Open
Make your DST file now
Sign up free, upload an image and preview the stitches. Download a Tajima DST file with any plan.