If you've ever downloaded an embroidery file and seen a list of cryptic extensions — DST, PES, JEF, EXP, VP3, HUS, XXX — this guide is for you. Every major format is covered below with the machines that use it and what makes it different.
.DST — Tajima
The industry standard. Developed by Tajima, the world's largest commercial embroidery machine manufacturer. Contains stitch coordinates and color stop commands but no actual thread color data — you assign colors on the machine itself.
- —Tajima
- —Barudan
- —ZSK
- —Happy
- —SWF
- —Most commercial multi-head machines
- —Accepted as import format by virtually all embroidery software
.PES — Brother / Babylock
Native format for all Brother and Babylock embroidery machines. Stores thread colors mapped to Brother's color library. Comes in multiple versions (v4 through v10) — newer machines require newer versions.
- —Brother PE-series (PE800, PE900, etc.)
- —Brother Innov-is and Luminaire series
- —Babylock machines
- —Brother PE-Design software
.JEF / .JEF+ — Janome
Janome's native format, used across their Memory Craft and Horizon lines. Stores thread colors and hoop size information. JEF+ is an extended version with additional metadata for newer Janome machines.
- —Janome Memory Craft series
- —Janome Horizon series
- —Elna machines (Janome-based)
.EXP — Melco / Bernina
Used by Melco commercial machines and some older Bernina models. Similar structure to DST but with Melco-specific extensions. Less common than DST but widely supported as an import format.
- —Melco commercial machines
- —Some Bernina models
- —Older Pfaff machines
.VP3 — Husqvarna Viking / Pfaff
Native format for Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff machines. Stores thread colors with color library mapping and hoop size data. Some Pfaff machines use .VIP instead of .VP3 — they are related formats.
- —Husqvarna Viking Designer series
- —Pfaff creative and ambition series
- —Some Elna models
.HUS — Husqvarna (Legacy)
An older Husqvarna format, largely superseded by VP3. Still accepted by older Husqvarna machines and some legacy software. If your machine is post-2005, use VP3 instead.
.XXX — Singer / Compucon
Used by Singer embroidery machines and Compucon software. Less common but still in use, particularly in the home sewing market.
- —Singer embroidery machines
- —Compucon XES software
.SEW — Janome (Alternative)
An older Janome format used by some legacy models. If your machine accepts both SEW and JEF, use JEF — it carries more color information.
.PCS — Pfaff (Legacy)
Older Pfaff format, superseded by VP3. Still readable by most Pfaff software but VP3 is preferred for all modern machines.
.VIP — Husqvarna / Pfaff
A bridge format between HUS and VP3, used by some mid-generation Husqvarna and Pfaff machines. If your machine reads VP3, that's the better option.
Which Format Should I Use?
When in doubt: DST. It's the most universally accepted format and works as an import in virtually every software package. If you know your machine brand, use the native format — it will carry more color and metadata information.
With PNGtoDST, you get all formats in one download, so you never have to choose just one.