DST to FAX Converter

Render DST embroidery designs as fax-ready raster images

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Any Device Works

Run DST to FAX conversion from your phone, tablet, or desktop — all you need is a web browser and an internet connection.

Embroidery to Fax

Turn DST stitch data into fax-compatible raster output — handy when legacy fax workflows require a visual of the design.

Secure Handling

Uploaded DST files are deleted immediately after conversion. FAX outputs are removed from Convertio within 24 hours.

How to convert DST to FAX

1

Select files from Computer, Google Drive, Dropbox, URL or by dragging it on the page.

2

Choose fax or any other format you need as a result (more than 200 formats supported)

3

Let the file convert and you can download your fax file right afterwards

About formats

DST (Tajima) is a machine embroidery file format created by Tajima Industries, one of the world's leading manufacturers of commercial embroidery equipment. The format encodes stitch data as a sequence of relative coordinate movements, with each stitch record containing a horizontal offset, vertical offset, and a command flag indicating the stitch type — normal stitch, jump (move without stitching), color change, or stop. DST files use a compact binary encoding where each stitch occupies three bytes, making the format efficient for storing complex multi-color designs with tens of thousands of stitches. The coordinate system uses 0.1 mm increments with a maximum single-stitch length of 12.1 mm in any direction. DST has become the de facto standard in the commercial embroidery industry — virtually every embroidery machine from any manufacturer can read DST files, making it the most widely supported embroidery format in existence. One advantage is universal machine compatibility: a DST file will run reliably on Tajima, Barudan, SWF, Brother, and Melco machines alike, eliminating format conversion concerns. The minimal file structure is another strength — files are compact, load instantly even on older machine controllers with limited memory, and their simplicity makes them resistant to corruption during transfer. While DST lacks embedded metadata like thread color names and design previews, this limitation is offset by the format's unmatched portability across the global embroidery industry.
Developer: Tajima Industries
Initial release: 1987
FAX is a generic image file extension associated with facsimile transmission formats standardized by the ITU-T (formerly CCITT), with the underlying Group 3 compression standard ratified in 1980. FAX files typically contain monochrome (1-bit, black and white) image data compressed using the Modified Huffman (MH) encoding defined in ITU-T Recommendation T.4, which assigns variable-length codes to run lengths of consecutive white or black pixels along each scanline. The standard resolution for Group 3 fax is 204x98 dpi (normal mode) or 204x196 dpi (fine mode), reflecting the capabilities of thermal and laser fax machines of the era. FAX files encountered digitally are often raw Group 3 encoded bitstreams or TIFF wrappers with CCITT Group 3 compression (TIFF compression tag 3). The Group 3 encoding scheme is highly efficient for typical business documents — pages with mostly white space and black text — achieving compression ratios of 10:1 to 20:1 compared to uncompressed bitmaps. One advantage is universal fax system compatibility: Group 3 encoding is the mandatory baseline for all fax machines worldwide, meaning FAX files contain data in exactly the format transmitted over telephone lines, preserving the original fax data without transcoding losses. The format's role in business communications history provides another dimension — billions of fax transmissions using this encoding moved legal documents, medical records, and business correspondence for decades, and archived FAX files represent an important documentary record. FAX images can be viewed and converted using LibreOffice, ImageMagick, GIMP, and standard document management systems.
Developer: ITU-T
Initial release: 1980

Frequently Asked Questions

Why convert DST to FAX?

FAX format is optimized for fax transmission — useful when you need to send an embroidery design preview via fax-based workflows.

What opens FAX image files?

Windows Fax Viewer, IrfanView, XnView, and most multiformat image applications can display FAX raster files.

Is the FAX output black and white?

FAX images are typically monochrome, so the embroidery design renders as a high-contrast black-and-white stitch pattern.

Does converting DST to FAX lose detail?

Some fine color detail is lost due to the monochrome nature of FAX, but the stitch outlines and pattern remain clearly visible.

Can I convert DST to FAX on a mobile device?

Yes — the converter runs in any mobile browser. Upload your DST file and get a FAX image without installing an app.

Is there a fee for this conversion?

DST to FAX conversion on Convertio is free. Upload, convert, and download at no cost.