Why a PNG does not become a DST just by changing the extension
PNG is the usual format for logos exported from a design program or downloaded from a website. It does not lose quality when compressed and supports a transparent background, which makes it easier to separate the design from the background. It is still a pixel image, though: it contains no stitches and no thread direction.
A DST file, on the other hand, is a list of instructions for the machine: move the needle, stitch, jump, trim and change thread. Going from one to the other is digitizing: redrawing the design as stitch objects and deciding the type, direction and order for each area.
How we turn the PNG to DST, step by step
An image is a drawing; an embroidery file is a recipe for the machine. Getting from one to the other takes interpretation, which we do in five steps.
1. Clean up and simplify the image
We start from the PNG and remove noise, blurry edges and gradients. A thread is a single color, so the design is reduced to the shades that will actually be stitched (in a logo, usually between 1 and 8). Lines thinner than 1 or 1.5 mm are redrawn thicker, because thread cannot be thinner than that.
2. Decide final size, garment and fabric
A stitch has a fixed size; it does not scale like an image. That is why we ask how big the embroidery will be and what fabric it goes on: a stretch polo, a cap or a towel need different densities and underlays. With that information we digitize the design for that specific use.
3. Choose the stitch type for each area
We redraw the design as objects and assign each one a stitch, with its direction and density (the spacing between stitches is usually around 0.4 mm).
| Stitch | Used for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Running | Outlines, thin lines and small details | A simple, continuous stitch. It is the only one that can draw lines thinner than 1 mm. |
| Satin | Lettering and narrow shapes, 1 to 7 mm wide | Parallel stitches laid very close together for a smooth, glossy finish. If the area is wider, the thread snags and it switches to fill. |
| Fill (tatami) | Large areas of color | Rows of short, staggered stitches that cover wide surfaces with an even texture and no long loose threads. |
4. Technical adjustments that prevent puckering
- Underlay: base stitches underneath that hold the fabric and lift the satin so it does not sink in.
- Pull compensation: thread tightens the fabric as it is stitched, so we widen the shapes slightly to make the final result match the size of the original.
- Order and path: we stitch from background to detail and link nearby areas to reduce thread jumps and color changes.
- Tie-ins and trims: every section starts and ends secured, and trims are marked wherever there are long jumps.
5. Simulate, export and check
Before delivering we run the design through the stitch simulator: we look at the sequence, the stitch count and the thread changes, and fix whatever does not fit. Then we export it to DST, check that it opens and that the simulation matches what we agreed, and send it to you with the color sheet.
The DST format
DST (Tajima) is the industrial standard: almost all commercial and multi-head machines read it, and it is the format embroidery shops ask for. It stores stitches, jumps, trims and thread changes.
DST does not store colors, only the moment when the needle has to change. That is why we always deliver a PDF color sheet with the thread order. In addition, each stitch is limited to 12.1 mm of displacement, so long jumps are split into several.
| Brand | Use |
|---|---|
| Tajima | the format was born on their industrial machines |
| Ricoma, SWF, Happy, Barudan | commercial and industrial multi-needle machines |
| Workshops and decorators | the standard to order from any embroidery shop |
Since it carries no colors, if you open it in a viewer you will see random colors; that is normal. The operator assigns the threads from the sheet.
How to prepare the PNG before sending it
- Preferably with a transparent background: that makes it clear which part is stitched and which is the garment.
- Export it at twice the final size at least; a 10 cm chest logo appreciates about 1200 px of width.
- If the logo has a single-ink version (white or black), attach it or mention it: it usually embroiders better on colored garments.
- Say whether the colors are brand colors (Pantone or HEX code) so we can find the closest thread.
In this case: PNGs with soft shadows or highlights are simplified to flat colors. DST only stores the order of thread changes, so the PDF color sheet is what tells the operator which cone to load.
How we convert it
- We review your fileWe check the PNG, clean up the edges and reduce the colors to real threads.
- We set size and fabricStitch density depends on the final size and the garment, so it is decided before digitizing and never rescaled afterwards.
- We digitize by handWe trace every area and choose the stitch type (running, satin or fill), direction, density, underlay and pull compensation.
- We simulate the embroideryWe check the sequence in the stitch simulator to remove unnecessary jumps and trims.
- We send it to youYou get the .DST file with a preview and a sheet with colors, stitch count and dimensions.
What you receive
A .DST file, a PDF color sheet with needle order, stitch count and dimensions, and a preview of the design.
If you also need the design in another format (for example for a workshop with an industrial machine), ask for it in the notes.
Frequently asked questions
Can a PNG be converted to DST for free and automatically?
There are automatic converters, but a PNG contains no stitches: the software guesses direction, density and order, and the result tends to pucker the fabric, break thread or leave letters unreadable. They work as a draft for very simple designs. To embroider a real garment, the DST must be digitized or reviewed by hand.
Which machines read the DST format?
Tajima: the format was born on their industrial machines. Ricoma, SWF, Happy, Barudan: commercial and industrial multi-needle machines. Workshops and decorators: the standard to order from any embroidery shop. If you are not sure, put your machine model in the notes.
What happens with the transparent background of a PNG?
Transparent areas are not stitched: the fabric stays visible. If you want a thread background (for example on a patch), say so in the notes, because a large fill changes the stitch count, the stiffness of the piece and the price a lot.
Why does my DST show strange colors?
Because DST does not store colors, only thread changes. The viewer invents a palette. The correct colors are on the PDF sheet that comes with the file, which is what the operator uses to load the machine.
How much does it cost to convert a PNG to DST?
€5 (about $6) per design, and we send it to you in under 24 hours. If your design needed anything out of the ordinary, we will let you know before starting.