If an embroidery design is visible on your computer but missing, grayed out, or rejected by your machine, the file is not necessarily broken. Work through this checklist in order.

1. Extract the ZIP first

Embroidery downloads usually arrive as ZIP archives containing several formats and sizes. A machine cannot read the archive itself. Extract it on your computer, then copy only the required stitch file to the USB drive or transfer location.

2. Confirm the exact format for your model

File extensions such as PES, JEF, EXP, VP3, HUS, and DST are not interchangeable. Check the machine manual—not only the brand name—because supported formats can differ between models. Use the Artapli format guide as a starting point.

3. Check the actual embroidery field

A design that exceeds the machine's maximum sewing field may be hidden or rejected even when the physical hoop looks large enough. Compare the design dimensions in millimeters with the embroidery area in the manual.

4. Check stitch, color, and file limits

Some machines limit stitch count, color changes, design count, filename length, or folder depth. Brother, for example, documents model-specific cases where a PES design can still be rejected because it is too large or exceeds the stitch limit. These limits are specific to the machine.

5. Simplify the transfer

• Use a small, freshly formatted USB drive if your manual recommends one.
• Copy one known-good file to the location required by the manual.
• Use a short filename with ordinary letters and numbers.
• Safely eject the drive before inserting it into the machine.
• Try another USB drive or transfer cable to rule out media failure.

6. Do not solve a size problem by blind conversion

Changing PES to DST or another format does not make the design smaller or reduce stitch density. Select a provided smaller size, or resize carefully in embroidery software and test the result.

Still not visible?

Send Artapli your machine's exact model, the file extension, the design size shown on your computer, and a photo of the machine message. We can then narrow the problem without guessing.