An EXP file is a machine embroidery format originally developed by Melco and widely adopted by Bernina embroidery machines. It is an "expanded" stitch format: it stores the raw needle movements stitch by stitch, with no design-tree or object data. That makes EXP simple, compact, and broadly compatible with the machines that read it.
What's Inside an EXP File?
- •Stitch data: relative X/Y movements for each needle penetration, measured in units of 0.1 mm.
- •Jump commands: needle-up travel moves between separated regions of the design.
- •Colour-change commands: a stop instruction telling the machine to pause for a thread swap.
- •An end-of-design marker that signals the machine the pattern is complete.
Unlike PES or JEF, a plain EXP file does not embed thread-colour names. On Melco and Bernina software the colour sequence is supplied separately (historically in a companion .inf file), and the operator confirms the thread order at the machine. SewFlow writes the correct stop commands so your colour changes land in the right place.
Which Machines Use EXP Files?
EXP is the native expanded format for Melco and Bernina embroidery machines, including the Bernina artista and B-series machines via Bernina embroidery software, and Melco/Amaya commercial heads. Many multi-format machines and digitizing programs also import EXP directly.
EXP vs JEF vs DST vs PES
| Format | Machines | Colour Info |
|---|---|---|
| EXP | Melco, Bernina | Separate / confirmed at machine |
| JEF | Janome, Elna | Embedded |
| DST | Tajima, commercial | Separate |
| PES | Brother, Babylock | Embedded |
How to Create an EXP File Free
SewFlow converts any image to an EXP file instantly — no software to install, free to convert; create a free account to download (1 free download every month).
- 1Go to sewflow.com/image.
- 2Upload your PNG, JPEG, SVG, BMP, or WebP image.
- 3Set your hoop size and adjust thread colours.
- 4Select EXP in the format selector.
- 5Download the .exp file and copy it to a USB stick for your Melco or Bernina machine.
Create a free EXP file for your Melco or Bernina machine:
Open Image Converter →Confirm Your Colour Order
Because EXP carries colour changes as stops rather than named threads, double-check the thread sequence at your machine before stitching so each colour loads in the right order.