What is a DST file?
A DST file (.dst) is the Tajima DST machine embroidery format, used by Tajima, Barudan, SWF, Ricoma, Happy and most commercial machines. It stores the stitches, jumps, trims and color changes of a design but not the thread colors themselves. You can't open it in an image editor: view it in an embroidery file viewer, load it on the machine by USB or Wi-Fi, or convert it to another format.
| File extension | .dst |
|---|---|
| Made by | Tajima |
| Machines | Tajima, Barudan, SWF, Ricoma, Happy, most commercial machines |
| Thread colors | Not stored (color stops only) |
| Longest single stitch | 12.1 mm |
| Opens in | Embroidery machines and embroidery software or viewers |
What's inside a .dst file
- Every needle position, in order
- Jumps and trims between areas
- Where each color starts (color stops)
- A short header with the design name and size
- No thread colors: only where they change
DST was created by Tajima and became the common language of commercial embroidery. Nearly every multi-needle machine, and most embroidery software, can open it.
A DST file stores needle movements, jumps, trims and color stops, but not the thread colors themselves. You assign threads to needles at the machine, so keep the color sheet that comes with your download.
Single stitches in DST are limited to 12.1 mm. The digitizer splits longer moves automatically, and encodes trims as the jump sequence Tajima-compatible machines expect.
How to open and use a DST file
- 1
View it
Drop the .dst file into the file viewer to see the stitches, colors, size and stitch count in your browser.
- 2
Check it
Run it through the file checker for hoop fit, density and stitches that might snag or break.
- 3
Convert if needed
If your machine reads another format, save it as that format in the converter; every stitch is kept.
- 4
Load it
Copy the file to a USB stick or send it over Wi-Fi, then open it on the machine and sew a test.
Machines that read DST
DST is the native or a supported format on these machines, from the makers' specs.
- Tajima machines
- Barudan machines
- Melco machines
- Brother PE535
- Brother SE600
- Brother SE630
- Brother SE700
- Brother SE1900
- Brother SE2000
- Brother PE800
- Brother PE900
- Brother PR680W
- Baby Lock Alliance
- Baby Lock Aventura II
- Janome Memory Craft 550E
- Janome MB-7
- Singer Legacy SE300
- Bernina 790 PRO
- Bernina 590
- Ricoma EM-1010
- Brother PE770
- Brother SE400
- Brother SE725
- Brother LB5000
- Brother PE545
- Brother NQ1700E
- Brother PR1055X
Free DST embroidery designs
Every free design downloads as DST with a free account.
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DST file questions
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What is a DST file?
A DST file (.dst) is the Tajima DST machine embroidery format, used by Tajima, Barudan, SWF, Ricoma, Happy and most commercial machines. It stores the stitches, jumps, trims and color changes of a design but not the thread colors themselves. You can't open it in an image editor: view it in an embroidery file viewer, load it on the machine by USB or Wi-Fi, or convert it to another format.
How do I open a DST file?
Open it in an embroidery file viewer: drop the .dst file into Embrizo's viewer to see every stitch, the colors and the size in your browser. Image editors and PDF readers can't open stitch files.
Does a DST file keep thread colors?
No. DST only marks where colors change. Keep the color sheet with the file and assign threads at the machine.
How do I convert a DST file?
Open it in the embroidery file converter and save it as DST, PES, JEF, EXP, VP3, XXX or another format. Converting keeps every stitch; only the container changes.
Can I make a DST file from a picture?
Yes. Upload a PNG, JPG or SVG to the Embrizo digitizer, check the stitch preview and save a DST file for your machine.
Does DST keep my thread colors?
No. DST only marks where the colors change. Use the color sheet (TXT) download to set up your needles, or choose PES, VP3 or XXX if your machine reads a format that stores colors.
Can home machines read DST?
Many can. Brother, Janome, Bernina and others often read DST as well as their native format, but the native format usually shows the correct colors on screen.
Convert DST files
DST compared
Other formats
Embroidery file formats explainedNeed a DST file of your logo?
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