A PES file is the embroidery format used by Brother machines, and Baby Lock and Bernette machines read it too. It holds the stitches in sewing order, color information for each part of the design, and a PEC section with a small preview the machine can show on its screen. To turn a JPG or PNG logo into a PES, the artwork has to be digitized into stitches first. Changing the file extension won't work.
| PES | What to know |
|---|---|
| Read by | Brother, Baby Lock and Bernette embroidery machines |
| Thread colors | Stored for each color block, so the screen shows roughly the right shades |
| Inside | Design information for Brother's software, plus a PEC section with the stitches, a color list and a preview |
| Size limit | Set by your machine's largest hoop, often 4×4 in on entry-level models |
What's inside a PES file
A PES is two things in one file. The first part describes the design the way Brother's software sees it, including color information. The second part is a PEC section: the stitch data in Brother's older format, a color list and a small preview picture. Brother has revised the format several times, and machines generally rely on the PEC part, which helps older and newer models read the same file. Our PEC guide covers that older format on its own.
The big advantage over DST is color. Load a PES and the screen shows each section in roughly the right shade, so you know which spool goes on next. Treat that as a close guide, not an exact match to your thread. What PES doesn't store is the original artwork: it's a stitch file, not a set of editable shapes. Many Brother machines let you resize a little on screen, but for a big change, remake the design at the new size so density and pull compensation are recalculated.
Make a PES from a JPG, PNG or lettering
- Sign in to the studio. Upload the logo under Image, or type a name under Lettering and pick one of the 13 embroidery fonts. Lettering heights run from Small name (8 mm) to Headline (50 mm).
- Pick a size and fabric. A Left chest logo is 90 mm (3.5 in) wide, which usually fits a 4×4 in hoop.
- Open Threads and choose the Brother chart, so each color is matched to the nearest Brother thread.
- Watch the stitch-out and read Checks. The hoop-fit check names the smallest standard hoop the design fits.
- Unlock the download and pick your machine, such as Brother, to get the PES, or download all 8 formats as a .zip.
For every panel in detail, see how to turn a logo into an embroidery file; for names on towels and bags, see embroidery lettering and names. Logos, badges and lettering in a few solid colors come out clean and sewable in minutes. Very complex artwork, like photo-realistic portraits, is still better with a professional digitizer. Test-sew on scrap first.
Loading a PES and choosing a hoop
Most current Brother, Baby Lock and Bernette machines take a USB stick: copy the PES onto it, plug it in and choose the design on screen. Some newer models can also receive designs over Wi-Fi through the brand's own app or software. Your machine's biggest hoop is the hard limit, so check the size before you download.
| Hoop | Sewing area (about) | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 4×4 in | 100 × 100 mm | Left chest logos, names, small patches |
| 5×7 in | 130 × 180 mm | Bigger chest designs, tote bags, hand towels |
| 6×10 in | 160 × 260 mm | Bag fronts, cushions, larger lettering |
| 8×12 in | 200 × 300 mm | Large designs and back pieces |
Common PES problems
- The machine says the design is too big. It's larger than the attached hoop or the machine's largest hoop. Shrink it in the Size panel and download again; re-downloading a design you've unlocked is free.
- The machine doesn't see the file. Many models only look at the top level of the USB stick, so don't bury the PES in a folder. If an older machine still ignores the stick, try a smaller one formatted as FAT32.
- Screen colors don't match your threads. The machine shows the nearest color it knows. Follow your thread list rather than the screen.
Questions
Is PES the same as PEC?
No, but they're related. PEC is Brother's older format, and a PES normally carries a PEC section inside it with the stitches, a color list and a small preview. Current machines want PES; use a separate PEC only if your manual asks for it.
Can I convert a DST file to PES for my Brother?
You can: nearly any embroidery program will open the DST and write it out as a PES. Nothing about the stitching improves on the way, so the PES is only as good as the original digitizing, and you'll need to assign colors because a DST has none. See DST vs PES for when each format makes sense.
Can I convert a JPG to PES for free?
Previews are always free, and a free account includes 3 downloads a month. Each download unlocks one design in all 8 formats, PES included. Plans with more downloads are on the pricing page.
Does a PES file work on a Baby Lock or Bernette?
Yes. Baby Lock and Bernette embroidery machines read PES, so you load it the same way as on a Brother. Check your manual for the hoop sizes your model takes.