Before we jump on to the bigger question, which is how to convert JPG to PES? We will start from the very basics! Most readers will already be familiar with JPG or JPEG format. It is a common raster image format that we often come across. Raster images contain pixels and are notorious for their scalability issues.
While most readers are already acquainted with the JPG format, the same is not the case with the PES format. Especially, if you are new to the embroidery business, the format might seem obscure. Don’t worry as we will build this piece from the very basic (as mentioned).
So, before we step into further details on how to convert JPG to PES, let us see what a PES format really is.
What Is PES File Format?
Among many, PES is a popular native embroidery file format. A native embroidery format is one that is compatible with the embroidery machine. For people who still find themselves lost, it can be loosely understood as a ‘design file’ that contains stitching instructions for the machine. Those instructions are essential for stitching the particular embroidery design.
PES format is specifically native to home-based Brother PE embroidery machines or semi-commercial multi-needle PR machines. Mostly, it is the home embroiderers who encounter this file format. The format is almost never native to machines in large commercial facilities.
Although we have loosely defined it as a type of design file, it really is not. In fact, you get a PES file from a design file (raster or vector) in a digitized format.
So, it is quite the opposite of being a design file and the prior comparison was only made for the sake of better understanding. Unlike pixels in the case of rasters and mathematical equations in the case of vectors, PES files consist of stitching instructions.
Convert JPG To PES
Quite frankly, it is not really a conversion in literal terms. If by conversion, you think of a magical process that happens for the conversion, then this is not the case. This conversion is actually a lot more than that and the conversion is often executed by a professional.
The process is known as embroidery digitizing. An embroidery digitizer is responsible for creating a digitized format that is native to embroidery machines. Yes, the process does use software but the process is not fully automatic. The software only aids the digitizer. The software extensively requires manual input to produce a professional digitized file.
Now that you have a basic acquaintance with what is what, let us now move on to the more important question of how to actually perform the conversion.
As we have already seen, a professional is normally responsible for the task, does it mean that you cannot do it yourself. We will see that in a moment as well quickly go through various options that you can adopt for the conversion.
Other Formats Conversion
Now, we will be looking at a few different standard formats which convert to PES; an embroidery-specific format. As per the above discussion. PES is a file format some specific embroidery machine uses for stitching. But to convert it, we have to use various different standard formats like JPG, PNG, PDF, SVG, EPS, and much more.
Firstly, we will be looking at the details of the various standard formats and then will see how you can convert PDF to PES, SVG to PES, PNG to PES, EPS to PES, and many others depending on the requirements.
PNG File
PNG is an acronym for Portable Network Graphic. It is a raster file and for the embroidery, we need a vector file which will be PES or any other embroidery format. So it is essential to convert PNG to PES for use. This image format was first used in 1995. Majorly, web designers use it and it has the ability to manage the graphics using transparent or semi-transparent backgrounds. In addition, this file is capable of handling the 16 million colors that really set them different from other files.
- You can use these files for logos.
- For creating online graphics and charts.
SVG File
It is a web-friendly vector file format that is an essential tool to display two-dimensional charts, graphics, and illustrations on websites. But when it comes to embroidery, you have to convert SVG to PES. Furthermore, as it is a vector file so you can easily increase or decrease the size without any worry about resolution. In contrast to pixel-based raster files such as JPEGs, vector files are capable of storing images through mathematical formulas that are dependent on the lines and points on a grid.
- This file is perfect for designing logos and icons for different places and in various sizes.
- Due to the use of XML, you can use files for illustrations and infographics.
EPS File
EPS just like the SVG is another vector file that is best for high-quality and professional images. It is ideal for PostScript printers and image setters for producing images with great details such as large posters, billboard advertising, and attractive marketing collateral. You can also convert the EPS to PES using the software or online converter tool.
- Perfect for legacy formats that are compatible with various software and systems.
- Majority of the professional printer also uses EPS files for various large-scale jobs.
- An EPS file is capable of retaining the resolution irrespective of the scale. This makes it best for images such as billboards and marketing collateral.
Other than the above format, formats like PDF, you can also go for PDF to PES conversion if you have your image in PDF and later you want that particular design in the embroidery format.
How Does The Conversion Happen?
Digital Embroidery Software
As per the above discussion, we see how the JPG conversion to PES occurs and now we know that it happens through embroidery digitizing software. With the help of this software, you can conveniently convert PNG to PES, EPS to PES, SVG to PES, and many more to any embroidery-specific format.
Online Converter Tools
There is one more thing that you can use for the conversion of standard format to PES. Well, most of the links that you may see that claim to be an online converter, will be mostly phishing links. Yes, you are reading it correctly. Such websites just take away the details and in return do not offer you the required thing. In addition, they may even redirect to some other irrelevant website which is only going to waste your time.
So, if you want to convert PNG to PES, SVG to PES, EPS to PES, you have to be very careful about the online converter tools which are offering you the desired results. Otherwise, the only reliable solution is to use the digital embroidery software which you have to buy first and costs a good amount of money.
Moving on, if you are not able to do it yourself due to a lack of experience or unavailability of the software, you can connect with a skilled embroidery digitizing company for the conversion of files. This option will save you the time and money that you have to invest in buying the software. The use of the software is our next point of discussion.
Learning Embroidery Digitizing Software
If you need to do the conversion from JPG to PES only occasionally, this is not a practical option for you. But, if you want to make a career in embroidery, or you are someone who regularly requires conversion to digitized format, this might be a reasonable option for you.
Note that, professional embroidery digitizing asks for a rigorous skill set and a dynamic approach to learning. It requires hours and hours of persistent effort and hard work. Needless to say, not everybody has such liberty with time and persistence in the learning effort.
Let us move to other options to see what else have we got.
Auto-Digitizing
Auto-digitizing, unlike manual digitizing, needs no to minimal external input from the digitizer. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if you are an expert embroidery digitizer or a beginner, the auto-digitization results will be pretty much the same.
Although the process is largely automatic, the results are often too shabby to use for any real purpose. The technology is still pretty adolescent and needs a lot of maturation before professional use. Even with extremely high-end and sophisticated digitizing programs, the results are not up to the mark.
The good news is that there is a consistent improvement in technology. It is likely that in the coming years we will see substantial improvements till almost anybody can convert jpg to pes. Auto-digitizing along with manual digitizing can speed up the process.
A good and free option for Auto Digitizing is to download the free trial version of Hatch by Wilcom which is totally free for 30 days.
For simpler designs, already auto-digitized files are manually edited by digitizers to make them acceptable for use. This combination of automated and manual realms of digitizing renders reasonable quality at a much quicker pace.
Embroidery Digitizing Service
Lastly, there are embroidery digitizing service providers. These digitizing services will perform the conversion of JPG to PES with preferred settings for a nominal fee. This digitizing fee is according to the stitches of the digitized design or even flat rate. Commonly, it is the rate per 1000 stitches.
The option is highly suitable for people with little or no background knowledge of digitizing but is not limited to them only.
Commercial embroiderers also seek these services pertaining to low cost and quick turnaround. Hiring a full-time in-house digitizer is often more costly than getting digitized designs from a digitizing service.
There are fewer situations where JPG to PES conversions, have a better alternative than to outsource it to an embroidery digitizing service. They provide high-quality work, at a great pace for only a few bucks. Such services often have a team of multiple embroidery digitizers and high-end professional digitizing software. This ensures better quality and turn-around time.
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Check this another better JPG to PES Digitizing option too!