Embroidery File Formats. Types and Uses

Machine embroidery files are files with extensions like .pes, .jef, .exp, and others that tell the sewing machine where and how to stitch, what colors of thread to use, and in what order to work.

Each format is for specific machines or tasks: some are simple and universal, while others are for complex patterns and specific brands.

Knowing which format to choose makes it easy to embroider anything from a napkin to a T-shirt.

Here's what these extensions mean and what they're for.

.PES
The .pes format is used primarily for machine embroidery on Brother, Baby Lock and Bernina machines. It is a proprietary format that contains stitch, thread color and stitching sequence data needed to create patterns on fabric. It is widely used due to the popularity of these brands of machines and supports complex designs with many details.

.pes files often include embroidery size information and can be created or edited using specialized software such as PE-Design. This format is convenient for home and professional embroidery machines, ensuring accurate reproduction of patterns.

.JEF
The .jef format is designed for Janome embroidery machines and is their main standard. It stores instructions for stitches, needle positions and color changes, which allows the machine to accurately embroider. This format is optimized for use with Janome software such as Digitizer.

.jef files are popular among Janome users due to their compatibility and ease of use. They are suitable for both simple and complex designs, providing high precision in embroidery.

.EXP
The .exp format is a universal format, originally developed for Melco machines, but supported by many other brands. It is a "raw" stitch file containing basic needle movement data without unnecessary information about colors or additional settings, which makes it simple and flexible.

.exp files are often used to transfer designs between different programs and machines, as they are easy to edit. However, due to the minimalism of the format, additional processing is sometimes required to adapt it to a specific machine.

.DST
The .dst (Tajima) format is one of the most common in the machine embroidery industry, created for Tajima machines. It contains only stitch data and their coordinates, without information about colors or thread types, which makes it universal, but less informative for complex settings.

This format is widely used in commercial embroidery due to its compatibility with most machines and software.

.dst files are easy to process, but adding colors or other details often requires an accompanying file or manual adjustments.

.XXX
The .xxx format is used by Singer and some Pfaff embroidery machines. It includes stitch, color, and stitching sequence data, allowing for detailed designs that are specific to these brands of equipment.

.xxx files are created and edited in software such as Singer’s PSW or Compucon EOS. The format is convenient for Singer users, but its compatibility is limited, making it less versatile than .dst or .exp.

.PEC
The .pec format is another format from Brother, often used in combination with .pes. It includes stitch and color data, but is more commonly used for simple designs and previews on Brother or Baby Lock machines with displays.

.pec files are typically created in software such as PE-Design and are suitable for basic designs. Their limitation is that they are less versatile than .pes and may not support complex design elements.

.VP3
The .vp3 format is the current standard for Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff machines. It stores detailed stitch data, colors, thread types, and even machine settings, making it one of the most informative formats for embroidery.

.vp3 files are created in software such as Premier+ or 6D Embroidery and are ideal for complex designs. They have the advantage of high accuracy, but compatibility is limited to machines from these brands.

Visit our online store to select your design and download the embroidery file for your machine.