Embroidery Formats – Hot Topic for Hot Summer Day!
Greetings everybody…
Summer is here and oofda (local joke) it is HOT, HOT, HOT here in Cave Creek, Arizona. It is hard to believe but 2nd qtr. 2014 is in the bag. So far this year Qdigitizing has reached a some new highs and with your patience as we struggled though some capacity issues in the Art Department we have come out in a much stronger position. As of June 22nd we have leased an additional 2,000 square feet of office space and installed 14 new work stations dedicated solely to our art activities. These changes will add significantly to our art capacity and while we still need to bring new staff up to speed we will be in a much stronger position to (better) serve your art requirements as we enter the busy season that starts in August.
Over the past few years there has been a shift in the wonderful world of embroidery where there are more and more affordable, high quality embroidery machines available to the home, consumer market. While these machines are not as heavy duty as their big brothers they function in much the same way and while the specifics may be different the knowledge required to produce quality embroidery is virtually identical.
One issue that is shared between commercial and home embroidery machines is the proliferation of embroidery formats and the reality that each machine will only read its own format. The proprietary nature of each format can make it very confusing for the end user to understand what they need and equally (or more) challenging for your digitizer, is to know what we need to supply you. The single most important thing you can do in this regard is to know (for certain) what format your machine requires and (before you leave the place you purchase the machine) make sure you understand how to get an embroidery design from a place (like email or any other location on your computer) to your new embroidery machine. This might seem basic but the number one technical question we receive at Qdigitizing that is not related to digitizing is, “how do I get my design on my machine.” No other question even comes close to this. Unfortunately, for Qdigitizing the reality is we are not in a very good position to answer this question for you. There are literally hundreds of embroidery machines on the market and it is not realistic for us to know the requirements of each in respect to format and transferring/loading a design to your machine.
In the last sentence you might notice I intentionally mentioned transferring AND loading a design to your machine. These are two very different things and you need to understand both. Transferring means moving your design from your computer to a device like a Flash Memory Module, Thumb Drive, Floppy Disk, Wireless/Wired Network connection or any other device you might use to move a design from location A to Location B. Loading your design is the process of uploading the design from that media in to your machines memory and “teaching” (official embroidery term) the machine for color stops or other information the machine might require. Managing your machines loading process is 100% on you. As much as I (or any staff member at QDigitizing would like to help) I/we can’t. As much as we would like we are not familiar with your machines interface and while not likely, it is possible to do damage if we provide you with incorrect advice. Once again, before you leave the place you purchased your machine or before a trainer leaves your facility make sure you are completely clear on the process required to “teach” your machine. This is vitally critical. Furthermore, make sure you are provided a toll free, technical support number you can call where there will be a LIVE speaking technician who can provide assistance. If I can offer you one piece of advice it is this, do not, under any circumstance purchase a machine where live technical support is not available. A few of the “home brands” are notorious for this and if it were me, I would steer as far away from these as possible. At some point you will need help, it IS NOT IF, it is WHEN. I promise. You should align yourself with a company who is willing to help you after they take your money.
I have written other blogs about embroidery “machine” formats. Here is a link to an older blog, “Understanding Embroidery Formats” https://www.qdigitizing.com/blog/?p=225 that contains very good information and different information on this topic. The table you see below provides a great deal of detailed information on machine formats. One thing you should understand is this, DST format is read in ALL (modern, post 2000) commercial embroidery machines I have ever used. I suppose there is an exception to this rule but I have yet to find it. DST format is even read in many Consumer Grade machines as well as the machines native language. Again, before you leave the point of purchase make sure you ask, “What format is required for this machine?” and “Will this machine also read DST format?” If they sales person says no, you say, “Are you sure?” If they say no again, ask for the Tech Support number. If they don’t have a Tech Support number you have a decision to make. The ability to read DST format is not critical but it will make your life easier when you need to obtain content for your machine. A professional digitizer like Qdigitizing can provide files in all major, machine formats but that is not the case for all programmers. If your machine can read DST format you will forever dodge the format bullet.
I would love to hear from each of you. If you have any questions aboiut this topic or any other you would like me to address in this blog feel free to reach out to me at steve.freeman@qdigitizing.com.
Steve Freeman
Managing Partner
Qdigitizing.com
| Model | Format/Transfer Systems/Software | Limitations & Sewing Areas |
| Husqvarna Viking 1+ / Rose / Iris | .HUS file on Husqvarna compatible design card, Customizer, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 3.94″ high x 3.94″ wide, maxium size. |
| Husqvarna Viking Platinum 950E | .VIP file on Embroidery d-card, reader/writer. | 9″ high x 6″ wide, maxium size. |
| Husqvarna Viking Scandinavia 300 / 400 | .HUS file on Husqvarna compatible design card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 4″ high x 4″ wide (100mm x 100mm), maxium size. |
| Husqvarna Viking Designer 1 | .SHV file on Designer 1 compatible floppy disk, Customizing Plus (This format is not Downloadable) | 6.89″ high x 8.9″ wide (Customizer requires a 6.2″ x 8.5″ sewing area. If sizing, size to 5% less), maxium size. |
| Husqvarna Viking Designer 2 | .HUS file on Husqvarna Viking D-Card. | 6″ x 14.2″ (largest hoop) |
| Husqvarna Viking Designer SE | .HUS, .SHV, .DHV, .VIP, .VP3, .PES, .PCS, .JEF, .SEW, .XXX, .DST, .EXP USB Cable, USB embroidery stick or optional CD or floppy disk drives. | 5″ high x 7″ wide (w/Husqvarna/Viking updates) |
| Husqvarna Viking Brother White 3300 | .PES file on Memory card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 3.94″ high x 3.95″ wide |
| Husqvarna Viking Brother White 4400 | .DST file on Embroidery card, USB cable or PC cable | 4″ high x 4″ wide |
| Singer EU / Poem / Huskygram | .CSD file on Singer Compatible design card or Magic Box | 3.90″ high x 3.90″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 14 color stops to split into two files. |
| Singer Futura CE 100 / 200 | .CSD, .XXX, .HUS, .DST, .EXP, .PCS (accepts most popular formats USB to computer cable, floppy disk or CD, Auto-Digitizing software (Futura) | 4.50″ high x 6.75″ wide, maxium size. |
| Singer Quantum XL-150 | .XXX file on Memory card. | 6″ high x 10″ wide, maxium size. |
| Singer Quantum XL-1000 | .XXX, .DST, .EXP file on Singer Compatible design card, PSW package (Professional Sew Ware 2.0) or Magic Box | 5.50″ high x 9.5″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 15 color stops to split into two files. |
| Singer Quantum XL-5000 | .XXX, .DST, .EXP, .PES, .PCS, .SEW, .PSW, .ZSK file on Singer Compatible design card, Smart Media Cards, PSW package | 5″ high x 7″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 15 color stops to split into two files. |
| Singer Quantum XL-6000 | .XXX file on Singer Compatible design card, Cable to computer connection | 6.50″ high x 9.50″ wide, maxium size. |
| Pfaff Creative 7570 | .PCS, (.PCM if using Macintosh software) file on Pfaff Compatible design card (PC Designer), Ultimate Box 2, card 3 | 3.94″ high x 4.72″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 14 color stops or 14,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Pfaff Creative 7560 | .PCS, (.PCM if using Macintosh software) file on Pfaff Compatible design card, Ultimate Box 2, card 3 | 4.53″ high x 4.72″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 14 color stops or 14,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Pfaff Creative 2170 | .VIP, .VP3, Mac format file Assistant | 6″ high x 9″ wide (140mm x 225mm), maximum size |
| Pfaff Creative 2140 / 2144 | .PCS, .VIP, (.PCM if using Macintosh software) file on Pfaff Compatible design card, computer cable transfer, Ultimate Box 2, card 3 | 5″ high x 9″ wide (127mm x 225mm), maximum size |
| Pfaff Creative 2134 | .VIP, .VP3, Mac format Smart Card & Creative Smart Card Station II (not Ultimate Box compatible) | 6.00″ high x 9.00″ wide (140mm x 225mm), maxium size. |
| Pfaff Creative 2124 | .PCS (.PCM for Pfaff Mac) Smart Card & Creative Smart Card Station II (not Ultimate Box compatible) | 5.50″ high x 9.00″ wide, maxium size. |
| Elna Envision 9006 | .SEW on Janome compatible design card, Magic Box | 2.75″ high x 4.80″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops to split into two files. |
| Elna Envision 8006 | .SEW on Janome compatible design card, Magic Box | 3.50″ high x 4.80″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops to split into two files. |
| Elna Envision 8007 | .SEW on Janome compatible design card, Magic Box, Dream Vision | 3.54″ high x 5″ wide (90mm x 127mm), maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops to split into two files. |
| Elna Envision CE20 | .SEW on Janome compatible design card, Magic Box, Dream Vision | 3.5″ high x 4.90″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops to split into two files. |
| Elna Xquisit | .EMD Smart Media card and PC hookup, Xpress Way Box, Xpressive Software to read and write multiple formats including .SEW | 6″ high x 10″ wide, maxium size. |
| Elna Xquisit II | .ESE (a sizable format) on Janome Xquisit compatible design card, serial port to computer, Xpressive Software to read and write multiple formats including .SEW and .JEF. | 5.51″ high x 9.45″ wide (140mm x 240mm), maxium size. |
| Elna Xplore 8600 / Xperience 8200 | .JEF ATA card (smart/flash card). | 5.51″ high x 7.87″ wide (140mm x 200mm), maxium size. |
| Kenmore 19000 / 19001 | .SEW on Janome compatible design card, Kenmore reader/writer Software (Reader 19000) . | 3.5″ high x 4.90″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops to split into two files. |
| Kenmore Elite 19005 | .JEF ATA PC card (Type II flash memory card). | 4″ high x 5″ wide (100mm x 127mm), maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops to split into two files. |
| Kenmore Elite Ergo 19010 | .JEF (or .SEW if using a card) ATA PC card, Kenmore reader/writer Software. | 4.3″ high x 5″ wide (109mm x 127mm), maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops to split into two files. |
| Janome Memory Craft 5000 / 5700 / 8000 | .SEW on Janome compatible design card, 8-bit cards, Magic Box. | 3.5″ high x 4.90″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops to split into two files. |
| Janome Memory Craft 9000 | .SEW on Janome compatible design card, Magic Box (ersonalizer or Scansoft PC). | 3.25″ high x 4.75″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops to split into two files. |
| Janome Memory Craft 9500 | .JEF, .SEW on Janome compatible design card, ATA PC card (Type II flash memory card), Compact flash memory card. | 7.90″ high x 5.50″ wide (200mm x 140mm), maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops to split into two files. |
| Janome Memory Craft 9700 | .JEF Customizer 10000 Plus, ATA PC card (Type II flash memory card) | 7.90″ high x 5.50″ wide (200mm x 140mm), maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops to split into two files. |
| Janome Memory Craft 10000 | .JEF on Janome compatible design card, computer cable transfer, or Compact Flash card. | 7.87″ high x 5.51″ wide (200mm x 140mm), maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops or 30,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Janome Memory Craft 10001 | .JEF ATA PC card (Type II flash memory card), USB port, RS232C port | 7.90″ high x 5.50″ wide (200mm x 140mm), maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops or 30,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Janome Memory Craft 11000 | .JEF, .JEF Plus Direct PC connection, ATA PC card (Type II flash memory card) optional CD-Rom drive, USB memory stick, wireless connection. | 8″ high x 8″ wide, maxium size. |
| Janome Memory Craft 300E | .JEF PC Design card, ATA PC card (Type II flash memory card) or Compact Flash card. | 7.87″ high x 5.51″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 12 color stops or 30,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Babylock Accent / BL60E | .PES on a Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 4.33″ high x 4.33″ wide (110mm x 110mm), maxium size. Requires designs with more than 50,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Babylock Ellageo 3 | .PES, .DST, .PEC on a Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card, Palette Software, floppy disk drive, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 6.25″ high x 10.25″ wide (159mm x 260mm), maxium size. |
| Babylock Ellegante | .PES on a Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card, PC Connection, optional USB floppy or USB flash card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 7.00″ high x 11.75″ wide (largest hoop), maxium size. |
| Babylock Ellure | .PES on a Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card, Magic Box, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 5.00″ high x 6.97″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 50,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Babylock Esante | .PES, .PEC on a Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card, Palette Software, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 5.00″ high x 6.97″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 50,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Babylock Espree (similar to Brother 150) | .PES on a Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 4″ high x 4″ wide (100mm x 100mm), maxium size. Requires designs with more than 50,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Babylock EMP6 | .PES, .PEC, .DST, .PHC on regular computer floppy disk, Flash Memory card, Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card, USB port to computer, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 7″ high x 11.75″ wide (largest hoop), maxium size. |
| Bernina Deco 330 | .PES, .ART, .EXP Reader/writer software, Magic Box or Artista Card (not Ultimate Box compatible) | 5.50″ high x 7.90″ wide, maxium size. |
| Bernina Deco 500 | .PES on Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card, Deco Wizard, Amazing Box, Magic Box, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 3.74″ high x 3.74″ wide, maxium size. |
| Bernina Deco 600 | .PES on Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card, Deco Wizard, Amazing Box, Magic Box, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 3.94″ high x 3.94″ wide, maxium size. |
| Bernina Deco 650 | .PES on Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card, Deco Wizard, Amazing Box, Magic Box, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 4.94″ high x 4.94″ wide, maxium size. |
| Bernina Artista 170E / 180E | .ART on Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card or by computer cable transfer. | 7.90″ high x 6.10″ wide, maxium size. |
| Bernina Artista 185 QEE | .ART on Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card or Editor software | 5.70″ high x 10″ wide (145mm x 255mm), maxium size. |
| Bernina Artista 200E | .ART on Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card, computer cable transfer, Ultimate Box 2, card 3. | 7.90″ high x 6.10″ wide, maxium size. |
| Bernina Artista 630E / 640E | .EXP USB connection, Bernina USB Stick or Bernina Personal Design Stick or Editor Lite | 5.70″ high x 10″ wide (145mm x 255mm), maxium size. |
| Bernina Artista 730E | .EXP, .ART USB connection, Bernina USB Stick or Bernina Personal Design Stick or Editor Lite | 5.70″ high x 10″ wide (145mm x 255mm), maxium size. |
| Bernina Artista 430E / 440 QEE | .ART, .PES, .HUS, .PCS Bernina compatible reader/writer, Editor Lite or CD-Rom by computer cable transfer. | 5.70″ high x 10″ wide (145mm x 255mm), maxium size. |
| Bernina Artista 165E (Heritage Edition) | .ART on Babylock/Bernina/Brother compatible design card, Computer cable transfer (ARTlink software) | 6″ high x 8″ wide (155mm x 200mm), maxium size. |
| Brother PE 100 / 150 / 200 | .PES on Brother compatible design card, Magic Box, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1. | 3.94″ high x 3.94″ wide, maxium size. Requires desings with more than 120,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Brother PE 180D | .PES, .PEC on Brother compatible design card, PE Design, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1. | 4.25″ high x 4.25″ wide, maxium size. Requires desings with more than 120,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Brother PE 170D / 270D / 400D | .PES on Brother compatible design card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 4″ high x 4″ wide (100mm x 100mm), maxium size. Requires desings with more than 120,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Brother PE 700 | .PES on Brother compatible design card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 5″ high x 7″ wide, maxium size. Requires desings with more than 120,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Brother PR 600C / 600 II | .PES on Brother compatible design card, floppy disk, CD-Rom, flash card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 12″ high x 8″ wide, maxium size. |
| Brother PC 6500 | .PES on Brother compatible design card, Magic Box, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 5.10″ high x 7.10″ wide (130mm x 180mm), maxium size. Requires desings with more than 120,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Brother PC 8200 / 8500 | .PES Reader/writer box, PE Design card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 5.00″ high x 7.00″ wide, maxium size. Requires desings with more than 120,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Brother PC 7500 | .PES on Brother compatible design card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1. | 5.00″ high x 7.00″ wide, maxium size. Requires desings with more than 120,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Brother Innovis 1000 | .PES on Brother compatible design card, PE Design card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1. | 4″ high x 7.50″ wide (103mm x 190mm), maxium size. |
| Brother Innovis 1500D | .PES on Brother compatible design card, PE Design card, USB port, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1. | 6.25″ high x 10.25″ wide (160mm x 260mm), maxium size. |
| Brother Innovis 2500D | .PES on Brother compatible design card, PE Design card, USB port, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1. | 6″ high x 10″ wide (120mm x 210mm), maxium size. |
| Brother Innovis 4000D | .PES on Brother compatible design card, PE Design card, Dual USB port, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1. | 7″ high x 12″ wide, maxium size. |
| Brother Ultra 2001 / 2003D | .PES on floppy disk or Brother compatible design card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1. | 10.25″ high x 6.25″ wide, maxium size. Requires desings with more than 120,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Brother Ultima 2002 | .PES, .PHC, .DST on floppy disk or Brother compatible design card, PE Design card Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, icard 1 | 10.25″ high x 6.25″ wide, maxium size. Requires desings with more than 120,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Simplicity SE3 | .PES on floppy disk or Brother compatible design card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 3.94″ high x 3.95″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 120,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Simplicity SE1 | .PES Memory card, Ultimate Box Plus or Ultimate Box 2, card 1 | 4″ high x 4″ wide, maxium size. Requires designs with more than 120,000 stitches to split into two files. |
| Barudan | .DST on regular computer floppy disk | Earlier Barudans may require .FMC on FMC compatible floppy disk, or even paper tape or cassette format. |
| Brother (commercial models) | .DST on regular computer floppy disk | |
| Happy | .DST on regular computer floppy disk | Earlier models may require paper tape or cassette format. |
| Tajima | .DST on regular computer floppy disk | Earlier models may require paper tape or cassette format. |
| Toyota | .DST on regular computer floppy disk | Earlier models may require paper tape or cassette format. |
| SWF | .DST on regular computer floppy disk | Earlier models may require paper tape or cassette format. |
| ZSK | .DST on regular computer floppy disk | Earlier models may require paper tape or cassette format. |
| Melco EP1B | .EXP on regular computer floppy disk | |
| Melco | .EXP on regular computer floppy disk | Earlier models may require paper tape or cassette format. |
| Stellar | .EXP on regular computer floppy disk | Earlier models may require paper tape or cassette format. |
Steve, Please keep these coming! Such great info you are sharing with all of us, thank you very much. Interesting article, I learned a lot once again.
Lollie Conn