Embroidery digitizing guides
Practical answers for shops and home embroiderers: how digitizing works, what it costs, what size to stitch a logo and how to prepare artwork.
How to Digitize a Logo for Embroidery, Step by StepLogo-specific digitizing: simplify, size first, fills vs satins, lettering rules, cap versions, Illustrator prep and fixing test sew-outs.
How to Digitize for Embroidery: A Step-by-Step Beginner GuideAn honest DIY tutorial: software options, a step-by-step workflow, starting settings and the beginner mistakes to avoid.
Left Chest Logo Size: Standard Dimensions and PlacementStandard left chest logo sizes by garment, placement measurements, pocket logos and minimum text height.
What Is Embroidery Digitizing? A Plain-English GuideHow artwork becomes a stitch file: what a digitizer decides, the three stitch types, underlay, density and sewing order.
Auto Digitizing vs Manual Digitizing: What Automatic Tools MissHow auto and AI digitizing work, where they are good enough, where they fail, and a checklist for any auto-digitized file.
Best Embroidery Digitizing Services: How to Choose the Right OneA practical buyer checklist for judging any digitizing company: prices, proofs, formats, revisions, turnaround and red flags.
Best Embroidery Digitizing Software: A Fair ComparisonA fair look at the main embroidery digitizing programs, who each one suits, Mac options, and when outsourcing makes more sense.
Free Embroidery Digitizing Software: Real Options and Their LimitsInk/Stitch, free trials, free viewers and online converters: what free digitizing tools can do and where they fall short.
Hat Embroidery Size: Logo Dimensions for Fronts, Sides and BacksMaximum logo sizes for cap fronts, sides, backs, visors and beanie cuffs, with tips on crown profile and measuring.
How Much Does Embroidery Digitizing Cost? 2026 Price GuideMarket prices per design from our 2026 check of 12 services, what drives the fee, and why you pay for a design only once.
How to Design a Logo for Embroidery (and What Artwork to Send)What artwork to send for digitizing and the design rules that make a logo stitch well: text size, lines, colors and contrast.
File formats and tools
Embroidery File Formats: Which File Your Machine UsesWhich embroidery file format each machine brand reads, stitch files vs artwork, and machine files vs working files.
Bernina Embroidery File Format: ART and EXP ExplainedBernina EXP and ART files explained: which one your machine stitches, where colors are stored, USB transfer and conversion.
DST File: What It Is and How to Open, Make or Convert OneThe Tajima DST embroidery format explained: what is inside, which machines use it, and how to open, make or convert one.
PES File Format: Brother and Baby Lock Embroidery FilesThe Brother PES embroidery format: what is inside, versions, thread colors, hoop limits and how to make or convert a PES file.
VP3 Embroidery Files: The Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff FormatThe VP3 embroidery format for Husqvarna Viking and Pfaff: what it stores, older HUS, VIP and PCS files, software and conversion.
Free Embroidery Tools: File Viewer and Stitch EstimatorFree browser tools for embroiderers: a DST, EXP and PES file viewer, a stitch count estimator and a machine format table.
Free DST File Viewer: Open DST, EXP and PES Files OnlineOpen DST, EXP and PES embroidery files in your browser. See stitch count, size, colors and jumps. Nothing is uploaded.
Embroidery Stitch Estimator: Stitch Count, Run Time and PriceEstimate the stitch count and machine run time of a logo from its size and coverage, and see our flat price for that size.
Send us your logo. See the proof before you pay.
Flat prices from $14, every machine format included, and a 24-hour standard turnaround. Your first design is free up to $24.