Do you want to get your artwork digitized but don't know the compatible embroidery file formats for your embroidery machine or embroidery digitizing software?
No worries, we’ve got you covered.
Unfortunately, not all embroidery file formats work with all embroidery machines. There are many different machine embroidery file formats for different embroidery machines or embroidery digitizing software.
So, you must have to keep an eye on the embroidery file format of the design. But what is an embroidery file format, and which one perfectly goes with your embroidery machine?
This blog covers each and everything you need to know to digitize file for embroidery.
In this article,
What Are Machine Embroidery File Formats?
“Embroidery machines need a digitized design file created by digitizing software; these embroidery file formats make the design machine-readable.”
Embroidery machines are unable to see images the same way that we do. The machine is stitching your favorite cartoon figure without its knowledge… How?
Machine cannot differentiate between a rose and a daffodil. It has no idea whether you're using red or orange thread to embroider Pooh Bear.
It can only understand the instructions in computer programs since it is a machine, and these instructions are known as machine embroidery files.
All the embroidery digitizing instructions that are required for an embroidery machine to embroider a design are contained in this embroidery file, including how many stitches to make, whether to stitch in a straight line or from side to side and where to lay the needle.
The embroidery file also instructs the machine when to resume stitching, when to stop stitching, and when the design is completed.
Once the embroidery file is uploaded into the embroidery machine, it can embroider precise and detailed embroidery designs.
But, not all embroidery files can be read by all embroidery machines, which adds another level of complexity.
Let’s start to learn what are the most common embroidery file types and which embroidery formats are supported by which embroidery machine or digitizing software.
Start with..
The Most Common Embroidery File Types
The most common machine embroidery file types in embroidery digitizing are:
DST
PES
These formats are widely used because they are compatible with most embroidery machines and embroidery digitizing software.
DST is the most popular format and is often used in commercial embroidery. PES is the second common embroidery file type used in home embroidery machines and is compatible with Brother machines.
Choosing the correct file format depends on the type of embroidery machine you have and the digitizing software you use.
It's important to ensure compatibility to avoid any issues during the embroidery process.
Embroidery Machine Types & Associated File Formats
Which embroidery file format does my embroidery machine support?
There are many different embroidery file types for various commercial and home sewing machines. But some of them are common for others.
Therefore, your machine will support multiple formats, and if there are any formats your embroidery machine cannot handle, your machine will support at least one or more of those formats.
A list of the embroidery formats with supported embroidery machines is shown below.
Embroidery Machines | File Format |
|---|---|
Tajima | DSB, DST, DSZ |
Bernina | ART, ART42, ART50, ART60 |
Wilcom | EMB |
Melco | CND, EXP |
Janome | JAN, JEF, JEF+ |
Brother | PEC, PES, PHB, PHC |
Tajima | T01, TBF, TCF |
Singer | XXX |
Pfaff | KSM, PCD, PCM, PCQ, PCS |
Husqvarna | HUS |
POEM | CSD |
Viking SE | VP3 |
BabyLock | DST, PEC, PES |
Barudan FMC | FMC |
Which Embroidery Digitizing Software Supports Specific Embroidery File Formats?
When choosing embroidery digitizing software, it's important to make sure that the program you choose supports the file formats you need to digitize file for embroidery.
Depending on the type of embroidery machine you have and the types of designs you want to create, specific file formats can be required.
So, before investing in embroidery digitizing software, it's important to do your research and ensure that it supports the particular file formats you need to work with.
In this chart, you can take a closer look at some of the most popular file formats used in embroidery and which digitizing software programs support them.
Embroidery File Formats Supported by Wilcom
Wilcom is the most commonly used embroidery digitizing software that supports a wide range of file types to digitize file for embroidery, so let's take a closer look at the embroidery file formats supported by Wilcom.
This table list contains embroidery file formats supported by Wilcom as both read and write.
Embroidery File Formats | Read | Write |
|---|---|---|
DST | Yes | Yes |
DSB | Yes | Yes |
EXP | Yes | Yes |
EMB | Yes | Yes |
ARX | Yes | No |
T01 | Yes | Yes |
T03 | Yes | Yes |
T05 | Yes | Yes |
T09 | Yes | Yes |
JEF | Yes | Yes |
HUS | Yes | Yes |
XXX | Yes | Yes |
PES | Yes | Yes |
KSB | Yes | Yes |
EMT | Yes | Yes |
Embroidery File Types Supported By Hatch
Hatch by Wilcom is an embroidery digitizing software with special tools and capabilities to digitize and edit complex embroidery designs. It allows you to digitize designs, add letters and monograms, and create unique stitch effects.
This table list contains all embroidery file formats supported by Hatch as both read and write.
Embroidery File Type | Read | Write |
|---|---|---|
.EMB | Yes | Yes |
.EMX | Yes | No |
.EXP | Yes | No |
.DST | Yes | No |
.JAN, .JEF, .JEF+ | Yes | No |
ART, ART42, ART50, ART60 | Yes | No |
.PES .PEC | Yes | No |
.VP3 .VIP .SHV .HUS .PCS .PCD .PCQ .PCM | Yes | No |
.XXX .CSD | Yes | No |
.CND | Yes | No |
.GNC | Yes | No |
Embroidery File Types Supported By Embird
Embrilliance is another popular embroidery digitizing software option available. If you don’t plan to digitize file for embroidery and only need some basic editing and customization software, this option is better than Hatch.
This table list contains all embroidery file formats supported by Embird as both read and write.
Embroidery File Type | Read | Write |
|---|---|---|
.ART Bernina Artista version 3 | Yes | No |
.DSB Tajima, Barudan stitch data | Yes | Yes |
.DST Tajima | Yes | Yes |
.EMB Wilcom version 6 | Yes | No |
.EXP Melco | Yes | No |
.JEF Janome | Yes | Yes |
.JEF+ Janome | Yes | Yes |
.JPX Janome | Yes | No |
.XXX Singer | Yes | Yes |
HUS Viking Husqvarna | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion
In conclusion, a machine embroidery file type is a set of instructions for an embroidery machine. These formats can be machine specific, and software specific.
Machine embroidery file formats are an essential aspect of embroidery digitizing. Understanding the different formats available, their compatibility with various embroidery machines, and digitizing software for achieving the desired embroidery output.
With this knowledge, you can choose the correct file format for your embroidery project, ensuring optimal results. Always remember to check the compatibility of your embroidery machine with the file format you choose and make the necessary adjustments to achieve the best results.
FAQ’s
Does an embroidery machine comes with an embroidery file format?
Yes, they do include tools for converting designs between different file formats. There are numerous machine embroidery file formats because they were all created by various manufacturers.
Can I add a new embroidery file format to my embroidery machine?
Yes, you can. If you have an embroidery design that your machine can't read because the format is inappropriate, you can convert it to another embroidery file format that your machine can use. You'll be needed embroidery software on your computer to change your current embroidery file format.
Can I edit finished embroidery files?
Absolutely, practically any format allows you to edit or adjust final embroidery files. However, remember that choosing the format native to your software will always give you the greatest results when editing or resizing a file.
What is the most common machine embroidery file type?
The most common and used machine embroidery file format is .dst. This works for virtually any embroidery machine.
