Introduction
You have a picture. Maybe it's a logo for your small business, a design for a gift, or a piece of art you want to stitch onto a jacket. Your Brother machine is ready to go, but there's one problem: it doesn't understand pictures. It understands PES files. That's the language your Brother speaks—a set of instructions that tells the machine exactly where to put every stitch, when to change colors, and how dense the stitching should be. When you Convert Image to PES File, you're doing the essential work that turns your creative ideas into something you can actually stitch. Let me walk you through everything you need to know, from understanding the format to actually getting it done.
What Is a PES File, Really?
Before we dive into conversion, let's get clear on what you're actually creating.
A PES file is an embroidery format developed by Brother Industries for their sewing and embroidery machines . It's not a picture—it's a set of digital instructions. Think of it like sheet music versus a recording. The sheet music tells the musician what notes to play and when. The PES file tells your machine what stitches to make and where .
PES files contain multiple sections of information:
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Stitch coordinates telling the needle exactly where to go
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Thread color information
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Machine commands like "stop," "jump," and "trim"
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Design metadata like the name and color count
Different versions exist—PES0001 through PES0060—with newer machines generally supporting later versions . But for most home embroiderers, you don't need to worry about the version number. Your Brother machine will handle it.
Brother machines officially support .pes along with .dst, .phc, and .pen formats . So when you convert your image to PES, you're speaking directly to your machine in its native language.
The Hard Truth About Converting Images
I'm going to be straight with you because someone should have been.
There is no magic button that turns a JPG into a perfect embroidery file. None. Those online tools that promise "convert JPG to PES in one click" are lying to you . At best, they produce garbage. At worst, they steal your designs or give you files that wreck your machine.
A JPG or PNG is made of pixels. A PES file is made of stitch instructions. Getting from one to the other requires a process called digitizing—and it's a skill that takes time to learn .
A good digitizer makes dozens of decisions for every design:
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What stitch type to use where (satin, fill, running)
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How dense to make the stitching
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What kind of underlay will prevent puckering
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How to compensate for thread tension
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What order to sew everything in
Software can't make these decisions well on its own. That's why auto-digitizing usually produces disappointing results .
Your Options for Getting a PES File
You've got a few paths forward. Let me break them down honestly.
Option 1: Brother's Own Software
Brother makes PE-Design Plus 2, a software suite designed specifically for their machines . It's built to turn photos and illustrations into embroidery designs. The Photo Stitch function handles image conversion, and you can export to PES as well as DST, HUS, EXP, JEF, and other formats .
The software costs around €499 and runs on Windows . It's a significant investment, but it's the official solution and integrates seamlessly with Brother machines.
Option 2: Third-Party Digitizing Software
Several other programs can convert images to PES:
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SewArt – User-friendly JPG to PES converter, good for beginners
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Wilcom Hatch – Professional-grade, widely used in the industry
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Embird – Popular with advanced hobbyists and small businesses
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Ink/Stitch – Free, open-source extension for Inkscape
These range from free to hundreds of dollars, with capabilities to match the price. Free tools like Ink/Stitch work well for basic conversions but have a learning curve. Professional tools offer more control but cost more .
Option 3: Professional Digitizing Services
This is what I'd recommend for most people, especially if you're just starting out or need reliable results for client work.
You send your image to a company like Absolute Digitizing, Digitizing Buddy, Cool Embroidery Design, or Absolute Digitizer. Their experienced digitizers create a manual, hand-punched PES file optimized for your specific needs .
Prices start around $10 for simple designs, with fast turnaround and free revisions included. You skip the software cost, the learning curve, and the frustration of failed attempts.
Option 4: Online Converters (Use with Caution)
Free online tools exist, but they have serious limitations. They rely on auto-digitizing, which handles simple shapes okay but fails on details, small text, and complex designs . They also raise security concerns—you're uploading your designs to unknown servers.
If you use an online converter, stick to very simple designs you don't care about, and always test thoroughly before production .
What Image Format Should You Start With?
The quality of your final PES file depends heavily on your starting image.
Vector files (SVG, AI, EPS, PDF) are the gold standard. They scale infinitely and have sharp edges, making digitizing cleaner and faster . If you have vector artwork, use it.
PNG files work well, especially with transparent backgrounds. They have less compression than JPGs and preserve edges better .
JPEG/JPG files are the most common but most problematic. Compression creates artifacts that can become part of your stitch file . If all you have is JPG, use the highest resolution possible—300 DPI at minimum at your target size .
Pro tip: High-contrast images with clean edges digitize much better than busy, detailed photos .
The Step-by-Step Conversion Process
Whether you're doing it yourself or working with a service, here's what the process looks like .
Step 1: Prepare Your Image
Clean up your image before importing. Remove backgrounds, increase contrast, and simplify colors if possible. A well-prepared image leads to better embroidery .
Step 2: Import into Digitizing Software
Open your software and import the image. Set the exact dimensions you need for your final embroidery—left chest logos are typically 3-4 inches wide .
Step 3: Digitize the Design
This is the heart of the process. Trace the outlines of your design, then assign stitch types to different areas:
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Satin stitches for borders and text (smooth, glossy edges)
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Fill stitches for larger solid areas
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Running stitches for fine details
Set stitch direction, density, and add underlay for stability .
Step 4: Assign Colors
Match thread colors to your design. Most software includes color palettes from major thread brands .
Step 5: Sequence the Design
Arrange the stitch order so the machine sews efficiently—grouping colors together, minimizing jumps .
Step 6: Export as PES
Save your file in PES format, ready for your Brother machine .
Step 7: Test Before Production
This step is non-negotiable. Stitch your design on scrap fabric identical to your final material. Check for puckering, thread breaks, and clarity. Adjust and repeat until it's perfect .
Common PES File Issues and Solutions
Even with good digitizing, problems can pop up. Here's how to handle them .
Machine won't read the file. Check that the file name uses only letters, numbers, dashes, and underscores. Special characters can cause issues .
Design too large for hoop. Resize in your digitizing software before exporting. Don't just scale on the machine .
Colors look wrong on screen. Different thread brands show colors differently. Match by hand using thread charts .
Older machine won't read newer PES versions. Export using an older PES version if your software supports it .
Tips for Best Results
Start with quality artwork. Garbage in, garbage out applies here more than anywhere .
Keep it simple. Avoid tiny text, fine lines, and complex gradients unless you're working with an experienced digitizer .
Test on real fabric. What looks good on screen can fail on fabric. Always test .
Build a relationship with a digitizer. Once you find someone who delivers consistent quality, stick with them. They'll learn your preferences and make every project easier .
Conclusion
Converting an image to PES for your Brother machine is the essential first step in bringing your designs to life. Whether you choose to invest in software and learn digitizing yourself, or partner with professionals who already know the craft, the goal is the same: files that run smoothly, look beautiful, and make your machine happy.
Brother machines are capable of stunning work. PE-Design Plus 2 offers a direct path for those who want to do it themselves . Third-party software like Wilcom, Hatch, and Ink/Stitch provide alternatives at various price points . And professional services like Absolute Digitizing, Digitizing Buddy, Cool Embroidery Design, and Absolute Digitizer take the work off your hands entirely.
The key is understanding that this isn't a simple file conversion—it's a translation from pixels to stitches. Treat it with the respect it deserves, and your embroidery will show it.
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