So, you’ve got a logo and a Brother or Babylock embroidery machine—and now you’re wondering how to get from your design to a stitch-ready PES file. Good news: you’re in the right place.
Whether you’re customizing polos for your business, creating personalized gifts, or launching your own embroidery shop, convert logo to PES file format is a crucial step to make it machine-compatible.
Need it done quickly and professionally? Digitizing Buddy specializes in turning any logo into a clean, high-quality PES file that runs perfectly on Brother and Babylock machines. They offer fast turnaround, free revisions, and excellent customer service.
Let’s walk you through the process step-by-step!
What Is a PES File?
A PES file is a specific embroidery format used by Brother and Babylock machines. It tells the embroidery machine where to place each stitch, how to change thread colors, and which stitch types to use.
Here’s what’s inside a PES file:
- Stitch path and order
- Thread color changes
- Stitch types (e.g., satin, fill, run)
- Object size, shape, and angle
- Machine commands (trims, stops, jumps)
It’s basically the “code” your embroidery machine reads to bring your logo to life in thread.
Why a Regular Logo File Won’t Work
Logos are usually designed in formats like:
- PNG
- JPG
- SVG
- AI
These are image or vector files. They’re visual, but they don’t contain any instructions your embroidery machine can understand.
That’s why you need to digitize your logo into a PES format.
What Is Logo Digitizing?
Digitizing is the process of converting a logo (or any artwork) into an embroidery file. It’s not a one-click conversion it’s a detailed process that involves:
- Importing the logo into digitizing software
- Tracing shapes and assigning stitch types
- Setting stitch density, angle, and underlay
- Adjusting for fabric type and machine settings
- Exporting in the required format (PES for Brother/Babylock)
Think of it like re-illustrating your logo except instead of pixels or vectors, you’re using stitches.
The Best Ways to Convert a Logo to PES
You’ve got two main options:
Option 1: Use a Professional Digitizing Service
The easiest and most reliable option? Let the pros handle it.
Digitizing Buddy can take your PNG, JPG, PDF, or vector logo and return a perfect PES file ready to stitch on your Brother or Babylock machine.
Why this works best:
- Manual digitizing = clean, efficient stitch paths
- No learning curve
- Affordable (starting around $10–$15)
- Delivered within 12–24 hours
- All formats available (PES, DST, JEF, etc.)
Ideal for beginners, businesses, or anyone who values quality and time.
Option 2: Do It Yourself with Software
Want to give digitizing a shot yourself? You’ll need embroidery software that supports PES export.
Here are a few popular options:
| Software | Skill Level | PES Support | Notes |
| SewArt | Beginner | ✅ | Basic and affordable |
| Hatch Embroidery | Intermediate | ✅ | Feature-rich, user-friendly |
| Ink/Stitch | Beginner | ✅ (via Ink/Stitch plugin) | Free, open-source |
| Embrilliance | Beginner–Intermediate | ✅ | Great for Mac users |
| Wilcom | Advanced | ✅ | Industry standard |
Keep in mind: There’s a learning curve, and while most offer auto-digitizing, manually assigning stitches yields better results.
Step-by-Step: How to Digitize a Logo to PES
Whether you use software or a service, the basic digitizing process looks like this:
1. Import Your Logo
Use a high-resolution logo file—preferably vector (SVG, AI) or high-DPI PNG.
2. Trace and Assign Stitch Areas
You (or the software) will trace shapes in the logo and assign:
- Satin stitches (for borders or text)
- Fill stitches (for large solid areas)
- Run stitches (for outlines or small detail)
3. Adjust Stitch Properties
Fine-tune:
- Stitch angle and direction
- Density (tightness of stitches)
- Underlay (foundation stitches)
- Pull compensation (to avoid distortion on fabric)
4. Preview the Stitch Simulation
Most digitizing software offers a preview that shows how the stitches will appear when sewn.
5. Export as PES
Once you’re satisfied, export the file as .PES and transfer it to your Brother/Babylock machine via USB or memory card.
What Makes a Logo Easy (or Hard) to Digitize?
Easy Logos:
- 2–4 solid colors
- Bold, clean shapes
- No tiny text or gradients
- No photographic detail
Challenging Logos:
- Detailed shading or photo elements
- Thin fonts or outlines
- Complex color gradients
- Very small text or tiny elements
If your logo is complex, don’t worry—professional digitizers like Digitizing Buddy can simplify and optimize it for stitching without sacrificing your brand identity.
Tips for Best Stitch Results on Brother/Babylock Machines
Choose the Right Stabilizer
- Light fabric → cut-away or no-show mesh
- Hats or thick fabric → heavy-duty tear-away
Use the Right Needle
- 75/11 embroidery needle for most 40wt threads
- 90/14 for thicker threads or tough fabric
Test Before Production
Always do a test stitch on scrap fabric before stitching on the final product.
Keep Designs Size-Appropriate
Don’t scale up/down too much after digitizing—it can affect stitch density and spacing.
Why You Should Keep the Source File
When your logo is digitized, ask for the editable source file (like .EMB or .BE). This allows:
- Easy resizing
- Color changes
- Editing parts of the design later
PES files are great for stitching, but not editable—so keep a copy of the master file too.
Common Logo-to-PES Mistakes to Avoid
- Uploading low-res or blurry images
- Skipping pull compensation (causes design distortion)
- Ignoring fabric type when setting stitch density
- Using auto-digitizing without manual cleanup
- Forgetting underlay stitches (leads to poor structure)
Final Thoughts: Your Logo, Ready to Stitch
Turning your logo into a PES embroidery file is the key to unlocking amazing personalization with your Brother or Babylock machine. Whether you’re creating company uniforms, custom merch, or branded gifts, it all starts with a properly digitized file.
