When you convert a PNG to an embroidery file, you'll usually see options for DST, PES, JEF, and several others. Which one you need depends entirely on your machine. Here's a clear breakdown.
DST — Tajima (Universal)
DST is the closest thing embroidery has to a universal format. Developed by Tajima, it's the default format for most commercial multi-head machines and is accepted by virtually every brand's software as an import format.
Use DST if you have
- —Any Tajima, Barudan, ZSK, Happy, or SWF machine
- —A commercial embroidery shop with mixed machine brands
- —Uncertainty about which format your machine needs
Limitations
- —Stores color sequence as stops, not actual thread colors — you assign colors on the machine
- —No built-in hoop size information
- —Older format — lacks some modern metadata features
PES — Brother / Babylock
PES is the native format for Brother and Babylock embroidery machines, including the popular PE800, PE900, and Luminaire series. It stores actual thread color data mapped to Brother's thread catalog.
Use PES if you have
- —Any Brother embroidery machine (PE-series, Innov-is, Luminaire)
- —A Babylock machine
- —Brother PE-Design software
PES versions
PES files come in different versions (PES v4, v6, v10). Newer machines support newer versions with more color data. Our converter outputs PES v6, which is compatible with the vast majority of Brother machines sold in the last decade.
JEF — Janome
JEF is Janome's native format, used across their Memory Craft and Horizon series machines. It stores thread colors mapped to Janome's color library and includes hoop size data.
Use JEF if you have
- —Any Janome embroidery machine
- —Elna machines (Janome-based)
Quick Reference
- —Tajima / commercial multi-head → DST
- —Brother / Babylock → PES
- —Janome / Elna → JEF
- —Melco / Bernina → EXP
- —Husqvarna / Viking → VP3
- —Singer / Compucon → XXX
- —Not sure → DST (most universally accepted)
When you convert with PNGtoDST, you get all formats in one download — so you don't need to pick just one. Grab the DST for your main machine and keep the others as backup.