OVERVIEW

Wilcom is professional embroidery digitizing software used for creating, editing,

and managing machine embroidery designs. It supports all major embroidery file

formats and is the industry standard for commercial embroidery operations.

SUPPORTED FILE FORMATS

• Native: EMB (Wilcom's proprietary format)
• Export: DST, PES, JEF, HUS, EXP, VIP, XXX, and 50+ other formats
• Import: All standard embroidery formats
• Font Formats: ESA (Wilcom alphabet format)

KEY FEATURES

1. Professional digitizing tools
2. Auto-digitizing capabilities
3. Font mapping and lettering
4. Design library management
5. Production management tools
6. Multi-needle machine support

USING PURCHASED EMBROIDERY DESIGNS IN WILCOM

When you purchase embroidery designs from Artapli, follow these steps

Step 1: Download and Extract

• Download the ZIP file containing your designs
• Extract all files to a dedicated folder
• Keep files organized by design collection

Step 2: Import to Wilcom

• Open Wilcom software
• File > Open Design
• Navigate to extracted folder
• Select DST format files
• Design opens ready for editing or production

Step 3: Preserve Design Quality

CRITICAL: Do not use automatic stitch optimization when converting formats

• Disable "Optimize stitches" option
• Disable "Remove small stitches" option
• Keep original stitch data intact
• Specialty effects (fringe, puffy, chain stitch) require exact stitch placement

COMMON ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

Issue: Design looks different after opening

Solution: Wilcom may auto-optimize. Use File > Import instead of Open to preserve

original stitching.

Issue: Fringe or specialty effects don't work

Solution: Never resize or convert fringe/puffy designs. Use exactly as provided.

Issue: Colors changed

Solution: Wilcom assigns thread colors automatically. Remap colors in Color Manager

to match your thread palette.

WORKING WITH ARTAPLI FONTS

Artapli provides fonts in multiple formats. For Wilcom users

• Use ESA format for native font mapping (see ESA section below)
• Alternatively, use individual letter files (DST, EMB)
• IMPORTANT: BX fonts do NOT work with Wilcom. BX fonts are for Embrilliance software only.
• KDC mapping: Works with both Wilcom and Hatch 3 for keyboard typing functionality

BEST PRACTICES

1. Always keep original downloaded files as backup
2. Work on copies, never original files
3. Test stitch-out on scrap fabric first
4. Export to machine format (DST, PES, etc.) only for final production

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Maximum design size: Limited by hoop size
• Minimum stitch length: 1mm recommended
• Thread brands: Supports all major thread libraries
• Production speed: Optimized for commercial machines

RELATED RESOURCES

• FAQ: "What embroidery software do I need?" - artapli.shop/pages/faq
• Guide: "Files in Wilcom" - artapli.shop/pages/files-in-wilcom
• Guide: "Conversion in Wilcom to preserve design quality"

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

For Wilcom-specific questions about Artapli designs, contact support with

• Wilcom version number
• File format you're trying to use
• Description of issue with screenshots if possible