Embroidery Digitizing File Formats: Which Ones Should You Use?

Embroidery digitizing is a process that involves converting artwork or designs into stitch files that can be interpreted by embroidery machines. This digitized file acts as a guide for the embroidery machine to follow when stitching the design onto fabric. Over the years, embroidery digitizing has gained popularity, and with it, a wide range of file formats to choose from. In this article, we will explore the most common embroidery digitizing file formats and their respective advantages and disadvantages.

DST (Tajima)

DST is the most widely used embroidery digitizing file format. It was developed by Tajima, a Japanese embroidery machine manufacturer. DST files are compatible with most embroidery machines and can support up to 15 colors. DST files are also relatively small in size, making them easy to share via email or file transfer.

Advantages:

Widely used and compatible with most embroidery machines

Can support up to 15 colors

Small file size

Disadvantages:

Limited stitch direction control

PES (Brother)

PES is the file format used by Brother embroidery machines. Like DST, PES files can support up to 15 colors and are widely used in the embroidery industry.

Advantages:

Compatible with Brother embroidery machines

Can support up to 15 colors

Disadvantages:

Limited stitch direction control

Not compatible with some non-Brother embroidery machines

EXP (Melco)

EXP is the file format used by Melco embroidery machines. EXP files can support up to 15 colors and are similar to DST and PES files in terms of compatibility.

Advantages:

Compatible with Melco embroidery machines

Can support up to 15 colors

Disadvantages:

Limited stitch direction control

Not compatible with some non-Melco embroidery machines

HUS (Husqvarna Viking)

HUS is the file format used by Husqvarna Viking embroidery machines. HUS files can support up to 15 colors and are commonly used in the embroidery industry.

Advantages:

Compatible with Husqvarna Viking embroidery machines

Can support up to 15 colors

Disadvantages:

Limited stitch direction control

Not compatible with some non-Husqvarna Viking embroidery machines

JEF (Janome)

JEF is the file format used by Janome embroidery machines. JEF files can support up to 15 colors and are widely used in the embroidery industry.

Advantages:

Compatible with Janome embroidery machines

Can support up to 15 colors

Disadvantages:

Limited stitch direction control

Not compatible with some non-Janome embroidery machines

VIP (Pfaff)

VIP is the file format used by Pfaff embroidery machines. VIP files can support up to 15 colors and are commonly used in the embroidery industry.

Advantages:

Compatible with Pfaff embroidery machines

Can support up to 15 colors

Disadvantages:

Limited stitch direction control

Not compatible with some non-Pfaff embroidery machines

ART (Bernina)

ART is the file format used by Bernina embroidery machines. ART files can support up to 16 million colors, making them the most versatile embroidery digitizing file format available.

Advantages:

Can support up to 16 million colors

Compatible with Bernina embroidery machines

Disadvantages:

Limited stitch direction control

Not compatible with some non-Bernina embroidery machines

Large file size

In conclusion, there are a variety of embroidery digitizing file formats to choose from, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most widely used file formats are DST, PES, and EXP, which are compatible with most embroidery machines