Convert DST to EXP
Open a .dst embroidery file and download it as Melco EXP for Melco, Bernina machines. Every stitch is kept, and the conversion runs in your browser.
Drop your .dst file here
DST, PES, JEF, EXP, VP3, XXX, PEC, U01, TBF · read in your browser, never uploaded
How to convert DST to EXP
Four steps, all in your browser.
- 1
Open your .dst file
Drop the DST file into the converter above. It opens in your browser, nothing is uploaded.
- 2
Check the preview
Look over the stitch preview, size, stitch count and colors to confirm it's the right design.
- 3
Note the color order
EXP has no colors, so keep the color sheet for threading.
- 4
Download the .exp file
Save it and copy it to your Melco machine by USB stick or its transfer app.
DST vs EXP
| Property | .DST | .EXP |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Tajima | Melco |
| Machines | Tajima, Barudan, SWF | Melco, Bernina |
| Thread colors | Not stored | Not stored |
| Mostly used by | Commercial multi-needle machines | Melco commercial and Bernina home machines |
EXP comes from Melco's commercial machines and is one of the formats Bernina embroidery machines read directly.
What changes when you convert
Every stitch is kept
Needle positions carry over exactly: both DST and EXP store them in 0.1 mm steps. Moves longer than EXP allows are split automatically.
Color stops are kept
Neither format stores thread colors, so the color changes carry over and the color order stays the same.
Jumps become trims
Every jump between sections is written as a trim and a jump, so loose threads are cut on machines with an automatic trimmer.
Convert DST to other formats
Convert other formats to EXP
Make a EXP from an image
DST to EXP questions
The quickest way to see what it does with your artwork is to try it. It's free and takes about a minute.
Is converting DST to EXP lossless?
The stitches are. Every needle position is copied exactly. What can differ is metadata such as thread names or hoop settings, which each format stores differently.
Will my Melco machine read the converted file?
Yes, if it reads EXP. The file is written to the Melco EXP specification and checked against independent readers. Most Melco machines read EXP; your manual lists the exact formats.
Is my file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read and converted entirely in your browser, so it never leaves your computer.
Can I resize the design while converting?
Not in the converter, which keeps the stitches exactly as they are. To change the size, digitize the original artwork again in the free digitizer, since scaling stitch files changes their density.
Keep going
Related tools and guides
- Machine guideBernina machinesEXP files for Bernina embroidery machines, with tips on colors, USB and WiFi transfer and hoops.Open
- Machine guideMelco machinesEXP and DST files for Melco commercial machines, with software, needle and field notes.Open
- Free toolEmbroidery file viewerOpen DST, PES, JEF and more in your browser: stitch preview, colors, size and stitch count.Open
- Free toolHoop size calculatorFind which hoops fit your design and how far to scale it down if it's too big.Open
- Free toolThread color chart & matcherBrother and Janome thread charts with codes, plus a color matcher between brands.Open
- GuideEmbroidery file formats explainedWhich machines read which format, and which formats keep thread colors.Open
Have the original artwork?
Digitize it from scratch for a cleaner EXP at exactly the size you need.