How to get your DST file in three steps
- 1
Upload your JPG
JPG files are compressed, which adds faint speckles around edges and text. Our vectorizer cleans those up and merges near-identical colours, so the stitch file sees only the real shapes of your design.
- 2
Choose size and fabric
Set the finished width or height in millimetres or inches, or pick a preset like left chest (90 mm) or cap front (55 mm). The fabric sets pull compensation, density and the stabiliser we recommend.
- 3
Preview, then download DST
In about 10–30 seconds you see your artwork and a realistic stitch preview with stitch count, colours, trims and sew time. The preview is free; pay only for the files.
Prepare your artwork
- Avoid screenshots of screenshots: re-saving a JPG adds blur and blotches each time.
- Crop close to the design so the size you choose applies to the artwork, not the empty space.
- Logos and illustrations work well; photos of people or scenery don't embroider cleanly.
About the DST format
DST (Tajima) is the universal format of commercial embroidery. It stores stitches, jumps, trims and colour stops but not the thread colours themselves — that's why every download includes a colour key listing the thread for each stop in sewing order. Multi-needle shops can assign needles straight from it.
.pes
Brother, Baby Lock
.dst
Tajima & most commercial machines
.jef
Janome
.exp
Melco, Bernina
.vp3
Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff
Every download includes all five formats, so you can switch machines any time.
Questions
Is converting a JPG to DST really automatic?+
Yes. The engine makes the decisions a digitizer would: satin columns for outlines and lettering, tatami fill with underlay for larger areas, layering so colours overlap slightly, and short travel runs hidden under later stitching. You can review every change it made before you pay.
Will it sew well on my machine?+
Files are checked automatically for gaps between colours, stitches outside their shape and stitches longer than 7 mm. Always test-sew on scrap fabric with the same stabiliser first; if a file sews badly, we'll re-run it free or refund you.
What artwork doesn't work?+
Photographs, painterly art and very fine detail at small sizes. Flat-colour logos, badges, mascots and lettering work best. If something is too small to stitch, the preview tells you which size would keep it.
Can I use the files commercially?+
Single designs and 10-packs are for personal use; Pro and Shop plans include commercial use. You must own the artwork or have permission to use it.