Bernina Embroidery Guide — File Formats, USB Transfer & EXP

Bernina embroidery machines are known for their stitch quality and their tight integration with Bernina embroidery software. If you want to stitch your own artwork, the key is getting it into a file format your machine reads — and for Bernina, the expanded EXP format is a reliable choice.

What File Formats Do Bernina Machines Use?

Bernina's design software works natively with the ART format, but the machines read expanded stitch files for stitching. EXP is the expanded format historically associated with the Melco/Bernina lineage and is widely supported. Many Bernina owners also work with DST for broad compatibility.

Transferring a Design to Your Bernina

1. 1Save or download your design as an EXP file.
2. 2Copy the file to a USB stick formatted for your machine.
3. 3Insert the USB stick into the Bernina embroidery module or machine port.
4. 4Open the design from USB on the machine screen.
5. 5Confirm the thread colour order, hoop the fabric, and start stitching.

Create a Bernina-Ready EXP File Free

You don't need Bernina software to make a stitch file. SewFlow converts any image or text into an EXP file right in your browser.

1. 1Go to sewflow.com/image (or /text for lettering).
2. 2Upload your artwork or type your text.
3. 3Set the hoop size and thread colours.
4. 4Select EXP and download the .exp file.

Tips for Great Bernina Results

• •Match your stabilizer to the fabric weight for clean, distortion-free stitches.
• •Keep fine detail above 30 mm so it reads in thread.
• •Always confirm the colour sequence on screen before stitching an EXP design.
• •Run a test stitch on scrap fabric before your final project.