Guide
Getting embroidery designs onto your machine
Most embroidery machines read designs from a USB stick. Here's how to do it on each brand, and how to fix the usual problems.
Updated
By brand
| Brand | Format | Where to find it on the machine |
|---|---|---|
| Brother, Baby Lock | .PES | Embroidery screen, USB icon |
| Janome, Elna | .JEF | Embroidery mode, USB or memory menu |
| Singer | .XXX (newer: .PES) | Embroidery menu, USB |
| Husqvarna Viking, Pfaff | .VP3 | File manager in embroidery mode |
| Bernina | .EXP | Embroidery mode, USB folder |
| Commercial | .DST | USB or the machine's network software |
Step by step
- Use a plain USB stick of 32 GB or less, formatted FAT32. Many machines can't read bigger sticks or exFAT.
- Copy the design file to the top level of the stick, or a folder with a short name.
- Keep file names short and simple: letters and numbers, no accents or emoji.
- Plug the stick into the machine with the machine on, and open it from the embroidery screen.
If the machine doesn't see the file
- Check the format: a Janome won't list a .PES, and a Brother won't list a .JEF.
- Check the size: designs bigger than the selected hoop may not open, or open greyed out.
- Check the stitch count against your machine's limit; the studio warns you about this.
- Try a different, smaller USB stick formatted FAT32.
Questions
My machine has no USB port. What now?
Older machines use a card reader box, a direct USB cable or the maker's transfer software. Your manual shows how.
Can I send designs over Wi-Fi?
Some newer Brother, Baby Lock and Janome machines can receive designs through the maker's app. Download the file, then open it in that app.