DST vs EXP: which embroidery format should you use?
DST is Tajima's format, used by commercial multi-needle machines; EXP is Melco's, used by Melco commercial and Bernina home machines. Neither stores thread colors, so keep a color sheet with the file. The stitches are the same in both, so use the one your machine reads and convert when you need the other.
| Feature | DST | EXP |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Tajima | Melco |
| Machines | Tajima, Barudan, SWF, Ricoma, Happy, most commercial machines | Melco, Bernina |
| Mainly used on | Commercial multi-needle machines | Melco commercial and Bernina home machines |
| Stores thread colors | No (color stops only) | No (color stops only) |
| File extension | .dst | .exp |
Choose DST if…
… you run a commercial multi-needle machine, or need a file almost any machine can open.
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.
Choose EXP if…
… you sew on a Bernina or a Melco machine.
EXP comes from Melco's commercial machines and is one of the formats Bernina embroidery machines read directly.
Turn any image into DST or EXP
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DST vs EXP questions
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What's the difference between DST and EXP?
DST is Tajima's format, used by commercial multi-needle machines; EXP is Melco's, used by Melco commercial and Bernina home machines. Neither stores thread colors, so keep a color sheet with the file. The stitches are the same in both, so use the one your machine reads and convert when you need the other.
Can I convert DST to EXP?
Yes. Open the .dst file in the free DST to EXP converter and save it as .exp. The stitches carry over exactly; EXP doesn't store colors, so you also get a color sheet.
Does converting between DST and EXP lose quality?
No. Both formats store the same needle positions, so the design sews the same. What can change is the color information and any software-only extras, not the stitches.
Which is better, DST or EXP?
Neither is better in itself. Use DST if you run a commercial multi-needle machine, or need a file almost any machine can open; use EXP if you sew on a Bernina or a Melco machine.
How do I make a file in either format from an image?
Upload the image to the digitizer, check the stitch preview and download DST, EXP or any other format. Digitizing and previewing are free with an account.
More format comparisons
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