Embroidery file formats
DST, PES, JEF, EXP, VP3 and XXX side by side: who makes each format, which machines read it and whether it keeps your thread colors. Open, convert or compare any of them.
| Format | Made by | Machines | Thread colors | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .pes | Brother | Brother, Baby Lock | Stored | Viewer·Image to PES |
| .dst | Tajima | Tajima, Barudan, SWF, Ricoma, Happy, most commercial machines | Color stops only | Viewer·Image to DST |
| .jef | Janome | Janome, Elna | Stored | Viewer·Image to JEF |
| .exp | Melco | Melco, Bernina | Color stops only | Viewer·Image to EXP |
| .vp3 | Husqvarna Viking / Pfaff | Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff | Stored | Viewer·Image to VP3 |
| .xxx | Singer / Compucon | Singer, Compucon | Stored | Viewer·Image to XXX |
Also supported: PEC (older Brother), U01 (Barudan) and TBF (Tajima). The full formats guide covers them all.
Format vs format
Which machines read each one, which keeps colors and how to convert.
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File format questions
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What is the most common embroidery file format?
DST is the most widely read format, especially on commercial machines. Among home machines, PES (Brother and Baby Lock) is the most common.
Which embroidery formats keep thread colors?
PES, JEF, VP3 and XXX store thread colors. DST and EXP store only where the colors change, so a color sheet usually goes with them.
Can I convert between embroidery formats?
Yes. The stitches are the same in every format, so converting between them keeps the design; only color information and software extras can differ.
Which format does my machine use?
Brother and Baby Lock use PES, Janome JEF, Bernina EXP, Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff VP3, Singer XXX, and most commercial machines DST. Check the machine pages for your brand.
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