How to Change an Embroidery Design From DST to PES

In most cases you do not need to change anything. Embroidery designs are usually sold with several formats in one download, so the PES file is already in the folder next to the DST file. If you truly only have a DST file, you can convert it to PES with embroidery software.

Where this question comes from

Julie S., one of our customers, wrote to us in August 2026:

Julie wrote:

When I download designs they come up as dst I need them as pes. How do I change that to get the right one?

Another customer asked us the same thing a few months earlier. We answered them both, and we are sharing the answer here because many embroiderers wonder the same thing.

First, check whether you already have the PES file

  1. Find the ZIP file you downloaded and unzip it. On Windows, right-click it and choose Extract All. On a Mac, double-click it.
  2. Open the unzipped folder and look through all the files, including any folders inside it.
  3. Look for a file ending in .pes in the size you need.
  4. Copy that file to your USB drive. Leave the DST file where it is.

If your computer does not show endings such as .dst and .pes, it is hiding them. On Windows, open the folder, click View and tick "File name extensions."

Why the design seems to "come up as DST"

  • The DST file is often listed first in the folder, so it is the first one people click.
  • A program on your computer may open DST files automatically, which makes it look as if that is the only version.
  • The ZIP folder was copied to the USB drive without being unzipped, so the machine cannot see any of the files inside.

If you only have a DST file

Some designs are sold in DST alone. To make a PES file from one:

  1. Open the DST file in embroidery software. Paid programs do this, and free ones are available.
  2. Choose Save As or Export, and pick PES as the format.
  3. Set your hoop size if the program asks, and save the new file.
  4. Copy the PES file to your USB drive.

Things to know before you convert

  • Renaming the file does not work. Changing ".dst" to ".pes" in the file name does not change what is inside, and the machine will reject it.
  • The colors will need setting. DST files do not store thread colors, so the new PES file will show default colors. Follow the color chart, or assign the colors in the software before saving.
  • Do not resize while converting. Save the design at its original size so the stitching stays as it was made.
  • Do not re-save a file you do not need to change. If the download already has a PES file, copy it straight to the USB drive. Opening and re-saving it in a program can alter it.

Learn more in where is the PES file in my embroidery download, what is DST format in machine embroidery and why are the colors wrong in my DST file.

Every design in our machine embroidery designs includes PES, DST and seven other formats in one download.

Have another question? See all the answers in our machine embroidery designs FAQ.

Written by Dmitry, Embroidery Monkey technical support. We digitize every design by hand and test stitch it before it goes on sale. Last updated October 2026.