The short version
| DST | PES | |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Tajima | Brother |
| Used by | Almost all commercial machines | Brother and Baby Lock (home and PR multi-needle) |
| Thread colors | Not stored | Stored |
| Best for | Embroidery shops and sending files to embroiderers | Home embroiderers and Brother owners |
| Editable? | Stitch file only | Stitch file (with some extra data for PE-Design) |
About DST
DST is the oldest and most universal commercial format. It records each stitch as a movement, plus jumps and color-change stops. It doesn't record which color each stop is, because commercial machines already have a set of needles threaded, and the operator assigns colors. That's why DST files usually come with a color sheet. More in our DST guide.
About PES
PES is Brother's format. On top of the stitches it stores each thread color from Brother's palette, so the machine can show you "next color: Red 800" on screen. Home machines also check that the design fits the hoop. More in our PES guide.
Converting between DST and PES
Stitches convert between the two formats without loss. When you convert DST → PES, you have no color information, so the PES gets default colors that you'll need to set. When you convert PES → DST, the colors are dropped, so note them down first.
The cleaner option is to export both from the original working file, which is what we do. Every order includes both DST and PES (and any other format) at no extra cost.
Which should you ask for?
- Sending the design to an embroidery shop or supplier? DST.
- Sewing on a Brother or Baby Lock home machine? PES.
- Brother PR multi-needle? Either, though PES keeps the colors.
- Janome? Neither: you want JEF.
- Not sure? Ask for both. With us, it's free.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Brother machine read DST files?
Brother PR multi-needle machines can. Most Brother single-needle home machines need PES.
Is DST or PES better quality?
Neither. Quality comes from how the design was digitized, not the format. Both store the same stitches.