Convert PNG to EXP embroidery files
PNG is the best raster format to digitize from: edges stay sharp, colors stay flat and transparent backgrounds come through intact. Download a Melco EXP file for Melco, Bernina machines.
Drop your PNG here
PNG, JPG, WebP or SVG · stays on your device
- Free, no signup
- Color sheet included
- Runs in your browser
Transparency is removed for you
A transparent background is detected and left unstitched, so only the artwork is sewn.
Flat colors separate cleanly
PNG doesn't add compression noise, so each color in your artwork becomes one thread color.
Resolution matters
Export at least 1,000 px across. Small PNGs are enlarged and smoothed, but fine details may merge.
How to convert a PNG to EXP
It takes about a minute, and you can preview every stitch before you download.
- 1
Upload your PNG
Drop the .png file into the box above or open the digitizer.
- 2
Set the size
Type a width, or pick your hoop from 4×4" to 8×12". The proportions are kept.
- 3
Check colors and stitches
Review the thread colors, the stitch preview and the design check. Switch off any color you don't want stitched.
- 4
Download the .EXP file
Choose Melco or the EXP format and download. Copy the file to your machine by USB or its app.
The Melco EXP format
EXP comes from Melco's commercial machines and is one of the formats Bernina embroidery machines read directly.
Like DST, EXP stores stitches, jumps, trims and color changes but not thread colors, so keep the color sheet handy when threading.
Moves longer than 12.7 mm are split automatically.
Tips for the best result
- Export logos from your design tool as PNG with a transparent background.
- Remove drop shadows, glows and gradients first: thread can't blend colors.
- Thin lines should be at least 0.5 mm wide at the final size, or they become a running stitch.
More detail in our guide to preparing artwork for embroidery.
PNG to EXP converter questions
The quickest way to see what it does with your artwork is to try it. It's free and takes about a minute.
Does a transparent PNG work?
Yes. Transparent areas are treated as background and never stitched. Background-colored shapes inside the design are listed as their own color so you can decide whether to stitch them.
What resolution should my PNG be?
Around 1,000 to 2,000 pixels across is ideal. Larger files are scaled down for analysis, and very small ones are enlarged and smoothed.
Is EXP the right format for my Bernina?
Bernina embroidery machines read EXP. Many models read other formats too, such as PES or DST, so check your machine's manual.
Does EXP include colors?
No. Like DST it only marks color changes. Use the color sheet download for thread order.
Is this embroidery digitizer really free?
Yes. You can digitize and download as many designs as you like, in every format, without signing up. Everything runs in your browser, so there are no server costs to pass on.
Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. Your image is processed entirely on your own device in your web browser and is never uploaded. If you sign in and save a design, only the finished stitch file, a small preview and its thread colors are stored in your account, never the original image.
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 toolHoop size calculatorFind which hoops fit your design and how far to scale it down if it's too big.Open
- Free toolText to embroidery fileType a name or monogram, pick a font and download a ready-to-sew lettering file.Open
- Free toolStitch count & price calculatorEstimate stitches, sew time and price for any design size and coverage.Open
Make your EXP file now
Upload an image, preview the stitches and download a Melco EXP file in under a minute.