A PEC file is an older Brother embroidery format, read by older Brother and Baby Lock machines. It stores the stitches, the color changes, a color for each block picked from Brother's thread chart, and a small preview image. The same PEC data normally sits inside every PES file too, which is why most people with a current Brother never need a separate PEC. If your machine does ask for one, you make it the same way as a PES: digitize the artwork, then save it as PEC.
| PEC | PES | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Older Brother format | Current Brother format |
| What's inside | Stitches, color changes, colors from Brother's fixed thread chart, a small preview and a short name | Extra design information for Brother's software, plus a full PEC section |
| Read by | Older Brother and Baby Lock machines | Current Brother, Baby Lock and Bernette machines |
| Use it when | Your manual lists PEC, or a PES won't load | In almost every other case |
How PEC handles color
Each color change in a PEC points to a color in Brother's fixed thread chart rather than storing an exact shade. The machine shows that chart color, which is close to your thread but not a guaranteed match. The small preview image is what many machines show in their design list before you sew, and the short label holds the design's name.
What a PEC leaves out is the extra design information newer Brother software saves in a full PES. PEC is the lean, machine-facing part. Like every stitch file, it also has no editable shapes, so plan the size before you download rather than stretching it on the machine.
PEC vs PES: which one should you load?
Think of a PES as an envelope with a PEC inside. Current Brother, Baby Lock and Bernette machines read PES and take what they need from it. A separate PEC is mainly for older Brother and Baby Lock machines whose manuals list PEC as the supported format, or for an old machine that won't load a PES.
If you're not sure, try the PES first. If the machine doesn't list it, try the PEC. Both come in every SatinSmith download along with DST and JEF, so there's nothing extra to buy. For how Brother's formats compare with the commercial standard, see DST vs PES.
Making a PEC file
- Open the studio and upload a logo under Image, or type a name under Lettering.
- Size it for your hoop. Many older home machines top out at 4×4 in (about 100 × 100 mm). A Left chest design at 90 mm (3.5 in) wide usually fits, and the preview names the smallest standard hoop the design fits.
- In Threads, choose the Brother chart. PEC colors come from Brother's chart, so matching to it helps the studio preview line up with what the machine shows.
- Check the stitch-out and the warnings, unlock the download, and take the PEC from the .zip of all 8 formats.
Each warning is explained in reading the stitch preview and checks, and how to turn a logo into an embroidery file walks through every panel. Run a test on scrap with the same hoop and stabilizer before the real piece.
Getting a PEC onto an older machine
Older Brother and Baby Lock machines vary a lot in how they load designs. Some take a USB stick, some connect to a computer with a cable, and some of the oldest used memory cards. Your manual is the best guide.
- The file isn't found. Older machines often expect short names. Rename the file to 8 characters or fewer, no spaces, such as
HARBOR.PEC, and keep it out of folders. - The USB stick isn't recognized. Some older machines only read smaller sticks formatted as FAT32. An old, low-capacity stick is often the easiest fix.
- The design won't fit. Resize it for the machine's hoop and download again; re-downloads of an unlocked design are free.
Questions
Is PEC the same as PES?
Not quite. PEC is the older, simpler format, and a full PES file contains a PEC section plus extra design data that Brother's software uses. Current machines read PES; older ones may need the PEC on its own.
Can I rename a PES file to PEC?
No. Renaming changes only the extension, not what's inside, and the machine expects a PEC's layout. Save it as PEC in an embroidery program, or use the PEC that comes with your SatinSmith download.
Do I need a PEC if I already have a PES?
Usually not. If your machine reads PES, use it, since it holds everything the PEC has and more. Keep the PEC for an older machine that doesn't list PES among its formats.