.PES file format
PES embroidery files
Brother and Baby Lock embroidery format
PES is the native format of Brother and Baby Lock home machines and is also read by many Bernette and Deco models. Inside a PES file sits a PEC block, the part the machine sews from: it holds the stitches, the colour list as Brother thread palette colours, and a small thumbnail for the machine's screen. StitchMyPic writes PES version 1 with the PEC block, which older and current Brother machines load alike.
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Machine files:.PES.DST.JEF.EXP
PES at a glance
| Created by | Brother (PE-Design software) |
|---|---|
| Read by | Brother, Baby Lock, many Bernette and Deco models |
| Thread colours stored | Yes, as entries in Brother's thread palette |
| Stitch precision | 0.1 mm |
| Longest single move | Long moves are written as jumps automatically |
| Also in the file | PEC block with a monochrome thumbnail for the machine screen |
What the PES format stores
A PES file has two parts. The PES section is used by Brother's PE-Design software; the embedded PEC block is what the machine actually sews from. The PEC block holds the stitches as moves in 0.1 mm steps, the jumps, trims and colour changes, the colour list as indexes into Brother's thread palette, and a small monochrome thumbnail that the machine shows on screen.
Like every machine format, PES stores needle positions, not shapes. There's no "this is a satin letter A, 6 mm tall" in the file, only the stitches that resulted from that decision.
Limits of the PES format
- Colours are palette entries. The screen shows the closest Brother thread, not an exact copy of your artwork. It's a guide to which spool to load.
- Many versions. PE-Design has added PES versions over the years; newer ones mainly add software data, and version 1 files still load on current machines.
- Resizing stretches stitches. Scaling a PES by more than 10–20% spreads or crowds the stitches. Re-export at the new size instead.
- The hoop sets the size. The format doesn't limit the design; your machine's largest sewing field does.
Machines that read PES
These brands read PES files. Open a brand to see its hoop sizes and how to transfer the design.
Tips for converting a picture to PES
- Pick the stitched size before you download: the stitches are calculated for that size.
- Choose the hoop your Brother or Baby Lock accepts (4×4, 5×7, 6×10 …) so the editor can warn you if the design doesn't fit.
- Keep capitals at least 6 mm tall and lines at least 1 mm wide.
- Copy only the .pes file to the stick; the other formats in the ZIP are for other machines.
Convert to PES from
PES questions
Can a Brother machine open a PES made by other software?
Yes. Any program that writes a valid PEC block produces a PES the machine can sew. If an old machine refuses a file saved in a recent PES version, save it again as an older version: the PEC block is the same.
Is PES better than DST for a Brother?
The stitches are equally precise; both use 0.1 mm units. PES is better on a Brother because it carries the thread colours and a thumbnail, so the screen shows your design properly. A DST loads on most Brother machines too, but with default colours.
Can I edit a PES file?
Only a little. Changing colour stops or moving the design is easy; reshaping a letter isn't, because the file holds stitches rather than shapes. For a different size or layout, go back to the original picture and export again.