DST and PES are the two most common embroidery file formats — but they serve different machines and different use cases. If you have ever downloaded the wrong format and watched your machine refuse to load the file, this guide is for you.
DST at a Glance
- Developer: Tajima
- Extension: .dst
- Color info: No (color stops only — you assign thread colors manually on the machine)
- Machine support: Almost universal — Tajima, Barudan, SWF, Happy, Brother commercial, Melco, and more
- File size: Compact
PES at a Glance
- Developer: Brother Industries
- Extension: .pes
- Color info: Yes (linked to Brother’s thread library)
- Machine support: Brother PE/SE/PR series, Babylock, some Bernette
- File size: Slightly larger due to color metadata
Key Differences
Color Information
DST files do not store color names — they only mark where thread changes happen. You manually assign colors on the machine. PES files embed actual thread color data tied to Brother’s palette, so the machine knows exactly which thread spool to prompt for.
Machine Compatibility
DST is more universally compatible. If you have a shop with multiple machine brands, DST is the format to use. PES works perfectly on Brother machines but will often fail or produce incorrect results on commercial machines from other brands.
Home vs Commercial
PES dominates the home embroidery market. DST dominates commercial shops. If you are digitizing for a Tajima or Barudan commercial machine, always deliver DST. If your customer has a Brother PE800 at home, PES is the better choice.
Which Should You Convert To?
When in doubt, ask your customer what machine they use. If you do not know, produce DST — it will work on more machines than any other format. Our free converter can output both DST and PES from the same PNG upload, so you can always offer both.