Free first design
Image to DST file — free, universal, 60 seconds
Upload any image — photo, logo or artwork. The AI digitizes it and exports a DST file your machine reads directly: Tajima, Barudan, and every commercial rig including Chinese machines. No software, no card required.
Convert my image to DST — free
DST is the universal embroidery format — Tajima, Barudan, Feiya, Richpeace, Dahao-controller machines
How photo embroidery works
- Upload your photo JPG, PNG or WEBP — a clear subject with good contrast works best.
- AI extracts the subject Person, pet or object isolated automatically — busy backgrounds dropped. Tap to correct, paint to fine-tune.
- Pick your thread colors The photo is reduced to 2–12 real thread shades. Merge, remove or lock any color to match the threads you own.
- Download & sew Machine-ready file in three sizes (80mm–240mm), with stitch count, sew time and a true-to-thread preview.
Why DST?
DST (Tajima format) is the universal embroidery format — the closest thing the industry has to a common language:
- Commercial machines — Tajima, Barudan, Happy, SWF… all read DST natively.
- Chinese machines — Feiya, Richpeace and the Dahao-controller workhorses that run most embroidery shops worldwide read DST natively.
- Home machines — most Brother, Janome and Bernina machines import DST through their software.
- Auto-trim support — StichAi DST files include standard trim markers, so machines cut the jumps automatically.
Need PES or JEF instead? Every StichAi download includes all three formats — pick the one your machine wants.
What images convert well to DST?
- Portraits & people — the design keeps face features: eyes, brows and mouth stay readable in thread.
- Pets — fur simplifies into clean thread-color regions.
- Flowers, plants & landscapes — natural fits for thread art.
- Kids' drawings — the most charming gifts on a shirt or tote.
Photos become flat-color, stylized embroidery — that's the nature of thread. If you need crisp flat artwork (text, lettering, logos), StichAi's logo mode is built for exactly that.
Image to DST — questions
Can a photo really become an embroidery file?
Yes. StichAi converts your photo into a flat-color stitch design — the AI extracts the subject, reduces the colors to real thread shades and generates the stitch plan. Photos become stylized embroidery, not photorealistic reproductions.
Which machines read DST files?
Virtually every commercial machine: Tajima, Barudan, and the Chinese workhorses — Feiya, Richpeace and other Dahao-controller rigs. Most home machines also import DST.
What file formats do I get?
DST (Tajima — universal), PES (Brother/Babylock) and JEF (Janome), in three design sizes from 80mm to 240mm.
How many colors can the design have?
You choose — 2 to 12 thread colors. Merge, remove or lock any color before generating.
Is my first photo free?
Yes — your first design is free, no card needed. Plans start at $5.99/month.
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