Brode
SVG → DST converter

Convert an SVG to a DST file

Your logo already exists as a vector? That's the best starting point: the SVG becomes a DST file with precise contours, satin stitches and fills calibrated for the machine.

  • 2 free embroidery conversions per month
  • No credit card required
  • Machine-ready file
Convert my image

An SVG is already vector — but an embroidery file is not a drawing: every curve must become a needle trajectory with its density, underlay and angles. The engine rasterizes your SVG, then rebuilds clean embroiderable zones: letters in satin, surfaces in fills, holes preserved.

Real output

A real DST file, stitch by stitch

Every example below is an actual conversion made by the Brode engine. Drag the handle: the source image on the left, the thread render of the downloaded DST file on the right.

Badge — DST fileDST file
Badge — Source imageSource image
Badge
Subject
10
Threads
73,852
Stitches

Stitch render of the machine file generated by Brode — same densities, underlay and threads as the downloaded file.

Watch the file sew

The simulator replays the exact needle trajectory of the DST file above — precisely what your machine will read.

  1. 1

    Drop your SVG

    Drag your image into the conversion area. A free account is all you need — no credit card.

  2. 2

    Pick a preset

    Five cleanup presets (from faithful to minimal) tune colors and detail level. Machine settings — density, angle, underlay — are already calibrated.

  3. 3

    Download your DST

    In under a minute, get a machine-ready file — with a thread render preview before you stitch.

DST-compatible machines

DST (the Tajima format) is the most universal embroidery format: the default choice when in doubt about the machine that will read the file.

  • Tajima
  • Barudan
  • SWF
  • Happy
  • Virtually all commercial machines

Brother, Babylock or Janome machine? The conversion also outputs PES, JEF and VP3 — from the same image, in the same interface.

An SVG that embroiders well

Already vector, SVG is an excellent starting point — as long as you design with embroidery in mind.

  • Details thinner than 1 mm aren't embroiderable: thicken strokes and decorative hatching.
  • Keep gradients to a minimum: they get quantized into thread color blocks.
  • Keep text converted to outlines (no live fonts).
  • A design 8 to 12 cm wide renders best.
  • Well-named layers and groups make the result easier to review.

2 embroidery conversions per month, no credit card

Create a free account in 30 seconds: every month you get 2 embroidery conversions and 5 vectorizations — renewed automatically, no commitment.

Convert my image

≈ 1 minute per conversion — sewing preview included.

Why go through a raster step when the SVG is vector?

Embroidery can't be deduced from the SVG's curves: stroke widths, overlaps and occlusions must be resolved into filled zones. The pipeline rasterizes then re-vectorizes into embroiderable shapes — that's what produces regular satin and fills instead of empty outlines.

My SVG has gradients — what does that give in embroidery?

Gradients are quantized into blocks of real threads — expect 4 to 12 colors. The simpler the file, the better the machine renders it.

My SVG contains text — will it be handled well?

Text is converted to shapes, as in any production export. The engine detects text bands to care for letters during embroidery conversion: thin bars and the holes of "o"s get stitched, not skipped.

Do very detailed SVGs work?

Yes, but details thinner than ~1 mm aren't embroiderable: simplify fine linework and decorative hatching before converting.

Which machines read DST?

Tajima, Barudan, SWF, Happy… DST is read by virtually all commercial machines and most recent domestic ones: the format to pick when in doubt.

Does the DST file contain colors?

The DST format records color changes but not exact hues (a historical format limit). The Brode preview shows the chosen threads with their references, to guide bobbin setup.

Can I get a PES or JEF too?

Yes: the same conversion outputs PES (Brother/Babylock), JEF (Janome), VP3 (Husqvarna/Pfaff) and four other machine formats.

How does the free offer work?

A free account is enough, no credit card: every month, 5 vectorizations (SVG, PDF, EPS, DXF) and 2 embroidery conversions (DST, PES, JEF, VP3…), renewed automatically with no commitment.

Go further

Tools and guides

Stitch simulator

Drop any embroidery file and watch it sew stitch by stitch — free, no account.

Try the simulator

Converting a PNG to DST: the guide

Formats, stitch density, mistakes to avoid — the complete guide to embroidery conversion.

Read the guide

Embroidery formats by brand

DST, PES, JEF, VP3: which machine reads which format, brand by brand.

Read the guide

Other conversions

PNG → PES, JPG → DST, image → embroidery… all the Brode converter pages.

See all conversions

Already have an embroidery file?

DST to PES, PES to JEF… the embroidery format converter rewrites an existing file for another machine — free, no account.

Convert an embroidery file
PNG → DSTJPG → DSTPNG → PES

Ready to vectorize your first image?

Create an account: 5 vectorizations and 2 embroidery conversions free every month. No credit card required.

Get started now