Free online EXP to DST converter

A Tajima-compatible embroidery machine or production system may require a DST file when the design is supplied as EXP. Converting the stitch data transfers the design without redigitizing it, but the result must be checked for trims, stops, colors, and hoop limits.

What the EXP format is

In machine embroidery, EXP usually means the Melco expanded stitch format. It stores needle movements, including stitches, jumps, and control commands, rather than editable lettering, shapes, object settings, or the original digitizing structure.

Melco software and professional embroidery applications use EXP for machine-ready designs. The format may contain limited color-change information, but it does not reliably preserve thread brands or exact color names; some Melco workflows use a related INF file for color information. EXP files are therefore often displayed with generic or manually assigned colors after import.

What the DST format is

DST is the Tajima stitch format and a common input format for commercial and multi-brand embroidery machines. It stores stitch coordinates and machine commands in a compact file that production equipment can read.

DST is useful when a machine, operator, or production system specifically requests Tajima format. It is also a stitch-only format: it does not preserve editable artwork, lettering, fonts, object settings, density rules, appliqué data, or dependable thread-color metadata. Color changes are generally represented as machine stop or color-change commands, so the operator must assign thread colors separately.

How to convert EXP to DST

Using 101convert.com

1. Open the built-in EXP-to-DST converter on 101convert.com.
2. Upload the .exp embroidery file.
3. Select DST as the output format and start the conversion.
4. Download the resulting .dst file, then open it in embroidery software to inspect the stitch sequence and machine limits.

This method requires no installed software. It converts the existing stitch data; it cannot recreate missing artwork, lettering, thread information, or digitizing settings.

Using desktop embroidery software

1. Open an application that supports both formats, such as Wilcom, Hatch Embroidery, Embird, or Melco DesignShop.
2. Use File → Open or File → Import and select the EXP file.
3. Verify the design's actual sewing size, stitch count, sewing order, jumps, trims, color-change sequence, and hoop boundaries.
4. Use File → Save As or File → Export, choose DST, and apply the required machine or hoop settings.
5. Reopen the saved DST file and run the software's stitch simulation or inspection before transferring it to the machine.

Keep the design at its original size whenever possible. Substantial resizing of a stitch file changes stitch spacing and can produce gaps, excessive density, thread breaks, or poor coverage. For a different finished size, resize the original editable design and regenerate the stitches instead.

Quality and compatibility limits

Conversion normally preserves the existing stitch path, not the design's underlying construction. Inspect the converted file on the target machine or in its control software because jump, trim, and stop behavior varies by machine. Some machines trim after a configured number of jumps; others sew jumps as connecting stitches.

Assign and verify thread colors manually. Neither EXP nor DST reliably carries the intended thread brand and shade, and DST color-change commands may be interpreted differently by machine software.

Check maximum design dimensions, stitch count, supported trims, needle-change behavior, and the machine's required file naming or storage rules. If the converted file has unsuitable density, missing trims, incorrect stops, or an incorrect sewing order, stitch-to-stitch conversion cannot fully correct it; edit the original digitized design or redigitize it.

Keep the original EXP file as a backup and test-sew the DST on the intended fabric and stabilizer before production.