How to open a DST, EXP, JEF or PES file
- Choose your file above, or drag it onto the box. Nothing is uploaded, so the design stays on your computer.
- The design appears with its stitch count, finished size and colour breakdown.
- JEF and PES files open with their real thread colours and names. DST and EXP do not store colours, so set a colour for each block yourself.
- Every block is matched to the closest thread number in any of our 24 brand charts, ready to copy.
- Download the preview as a PNG if you need to send it to a client or keep it with the job.
Which formats store thread colours?
| Format | Machine | Thread colours |
|---|---|---|
| DST | Tajima | Not stored |
| EXP | Melco | Not stored |
| JEF | Janome | Stored, with thread names |
| PES | Brother | Stored, with thread names |
A Tajima DST file stores stitch coordinates and the points where the machine stops for a thread change, but not which threads to use. That information lives on a worksheet or in the operator’s notes, which is why a DST opens with placeholder colours in every viewer, not just this one. If you also have the design as a JEF or PES, open that instead and the colours come through.
What the numbers mean
| Figure | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Stitch count | The main driver of embroidery cost and machine time. Most quotes are priced per thousand stitches. |
| Design size | The finished stitched area, in millimetres and inches. Check it against your hoop or patch size before running the job. |
| Thread colours | How many colour blocks the design uses. More colours means more thread changes and more operator time. |
| Jumps | Movements between sections without stitching. A high count can mean the design needs cleaning up before production. |
| Trims | Thread cuts. EXP, JEF and PES record these; DST does not, so we say so rather than guess a number. |
| Estimated run time | A rough guide at 700 stitches per minute plus time for colour changes. Real time depends on the machine and fabric. |
Why the stitch count may differ from your software
We count actual needle penetrations. A DST header instead counts every record in the file, which includes jumps, colour changes and the end marker, so its figure runs slightly higher. The same design saved in different formats can also differ by a few hundred stitches, because each format breaks long stitches up in its own way.
What this tool does not do
It reads and displays designs. It does not edit stitches, convert between formats, or turn an image into a stitch file. Digitizing artwork into a sewable design is skilled work, and automatic conversion produces files that need correcting by hand before production.
If you have artwork rather than a stitch file, start with the Logo to Thread Colors Converter and then send it to us for a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my design file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read by your own browser and the design is drawn on your device. Nothing is sent to us, which matters because these files are often paid digitizing work belonging to you or your customer.
Which file formats can I open?
DST (Tajima), EXP (Melco), JEF (Janome) and PES (Brother). VP3, HUS, XXX and SEW are not supported yet. If you open a format we do not read, the tool says so rather than showing you a broken design.
Why are the colours wrong when I open my DST?
They are placeholders. DST files record where the machine changes thread but not which threads to use, so no viewer can show the real colours. Set each block to the colour you want and the tool shows the nearest matching thread number. If you have the same design as a JEF or PES, open that instead and the real colours come through automatically.
Why does the stitch count differ from my embroidery software?
We count actual needle penetrations. A DST header counts every record in the file instead, including jumps, colour changes and the end marker, so it reads a little higher. The same design saved as DST and as PES can also differ by a few hundred stitches, because each format splits long stitches differently.
Can I convert a picture into a DST file here?
No. This tool reads existing stitch files, it does not create them. Turning artwork into a sewable design is digitizing, and it is skilled work: automatic conversions almost always need correcting by hand before they run cleanly on a machine.
Is the estimated run time accurate?
It is a rough guide only, based on 700 stitches per minute plus time for each colour change. Actual time depends on the machine, the fabric, thread breaks and the operator.
Why does my design show a lot of jump stitches?
Jumps are movements between sections without stitching. Some are normal. A very high count often means the design would benefit from being cleaned up before production, since jumps add run time and leave threads to trim.
