DST guide
What Is a DST File?
A DST file is a common Tajima embroidery format that tells an embroidery machine where to stitch, jump, change color, and stop.
What is a DST file?
DST is a Tajima embroidery format used to move designs between embroidery software and machines. It is not a regular image file. Its records describe the movements and control commands needed to sew a design.
What information does a DST file contain?
A DST file mainly contains stitch movements, jump commands, color-change commands, and an end command. Its header can also include a design label, declared stitch and color counts, and size extents. A viewer can decode the stitch path to calculate stitch count and design size.
Does a DST file store thread colors?
Usually not in a reliable, standardized way. A DST file marks where the operator or machine should change color, but it does not normally identify the actual thread brand, name, or color value. Read why DST file colors may look different between viewers.
How do you open a DST file?
You can use embroidery digitizing software, machine software, or an online DST file viewer. If you only need to inspect the design, the free StitchQuote DST Viewer opens the file locally in your browser without uploading it.
How do you check stitch count?
Open the file in a DST viewer and read the decoded normal stitch count. Header values can be useful diagnostics, but exporters do not always write them consistently, so StitchQuote reports the count decoded from the stitch commands.
What software can view DST files?
Embroidery digitizing suites, some embroidery machine utilities, and dedicated browser-based viewers can display DST files. Choose digitizing software when you need to edit the design; choose a focused viewer when you only need a preview, stitch count, design size, and color-change structure.
Can you view a DST file online?
Yes. A browser-based viewer can read a DST file and draw its stitch path. StitchQuote performs that work in browser memory, so the selected file stays on your device and is never uploaded to a server.
FAQ
Can I edit a DST file in a viewer?
A basic viewer is intended for inspection. Editing stitch paths or machine commands requires embroidery digitizing software.
Is a DST file an image?
No. A DST file is a set of embroidery machine instructions. A viewer turns those stitch movements into a visual preview.
Will a DST file show the original thread colors?
Not reliably. DST files usually record color-change commands, while the actual thread colors must come from a separate color chart or production instructions.