Embroidery digitising software - a complete guide for Brother, Janome, Bernina, Pfaff & HusqvarnaUpdated 2 days ago
Embroidery digitising software - a complete guide for Brother, Janome, Bernina, Pfaff & Husqvarna
Digitising software lets you go beyond your machine's built-in designs - creating your own, editing existing ones and transferring them wirelessly. Here's a guide to what's available for each brand.
Brother offers three levels of digitising software, all producing PES files for use on Brother machines. All are Windows only and available at a reduced price when purchased alongside a machine.
PE Design Plus 2
Convert pre-made images (JPEG, PNG) to PES format. Includes some built-in designs and fonts. No design creation from scratch or appliqué tools. Best suited to those working with ready-made artwork.
- ✓ Image to PES conversion
- ✓ Built-in designs and fonts
- ✗ No design creation tools
- ✗ No appliqué tools
PE Design 11
Create designs from scratch, convert images to PES, use the appliqué tool, access 100+ fonts, connect multiple machines and export wirelessly. Best for creative control and bespoke design work.
- ✓ Design creation from scratch
- ✓ Photo stitch and cross stitch
- ✓ Appliqué wizard
- ✓ Wireless export to machine
BE EmbroideryStudio
The most powerful Brother software, designed for studios and businesses. Full creative control including stitch editing, density control, lettering and production management. Compatible with the PR680W and PR1060W only.
- ✓ Professional digitising tools
- ✓ Density and stitch editing
- ✓ Production management
- ⚠ PR680W and PR1060W only
Brother Artspira app
A free iOS and Android app for creating, editing and transferring embroidery designs directly to a compatible WIFI-enabled machine. Includes a built-in design library, image conversion, AR placement preview and an AI design tool. Best suited to hobbyists and creative makers rather than commercial production.
WiFi-enabled machines only - compatible with PR680W and PR1060WLearn more about Artspira →
Janome's Artistic Digitizer Version 2 is available in two versions - both work on Windows and Mac, which makes it unique among embroidery software. Version 2 supersedes all previous versions.
Artistic Digitizer V2 Junior
A great starting point for embroidery digitising. Covers the basics - editing, resizing, basic monogramming and connecting WiFi-enabled machines to your PC or Mac. Upgradeable to the full version at any time.
- ✓ Basic editing and resizing
- ✓ Basic monogramming fonts
- ✓ Basic built-in quilt motifs
- ✓ Connects Wi-Fi machines to PC/Mac
- ✓ Upgradeable to full version
- ✗ No advanced tools (photo-stitch, crystal work etc.)
Artistic Digitizer V2 Full
The complete Artistic Digitizer package. Advanced digitising tools for creating complex designs from photos and graphics, alongside cutting, painting, quilting, crystal work and direct wireless transfer to your machine.
- ✓ Advanced auto-digitising from photos
- ✓ Cross-stitch, photo-stitch, paint-stitch
- ✓ Crystal/rhinestone design tools
- ✓ Cutting and quilting design tools
- ✓ Extensive font library with advanced kerning
- ✓ Direct wireless transfer to machine
Bernina Embroidery Software 9 is available in two main tiers - Creator (entry level) and DesignerPlus (full version). DesignerPlus is also available as an update for previous DesignerPlus owners and as an upgrade for Creator users. A 30-day free trial is available for all versions.
Bernina Embroidery Software 9 Creator
The entry point into Bernina software. Includes auto and manual digitising, appliqué tools, 60 fonts, 384 built-in designs, Wi-Fi design transfer and the ability to export cutting files. Can be upgraded to DesignerPlus at any time.
- ✓ Auto and manual digitising
- ✓ 60 fonts and 384 built-in designs
- ✓ Appliqué tools and cutting file export
- ✓ Wi-Fi design transfer
- ✓ Upgradeable to DesignerPlus
Bernina Embroidery Software 9 DesignerPlus
The complete Bernina software package. Includes everything in Creator plus 100+ fonts, 930 built-in designs, Keyboard Design Collection for custom fonts, 3D embroidery effects, photo stitch, CorelDraw SE and the Branching tool.
- ✓ 100+ fonts and 930 built-in designs
- ✓ Keyboard Design Collection — create your own fonts
- ✓ 3D effects, photo stitch, CutWork
- ✓ CorelDraw SE included
- ✓ Wi-Fi transfer and multi-computer use
- ✓ 30-day free trial available
DesignerPlus Update
If you already own a DesignerPlus V6, 7 or 8 licence, this update brings you to the full V9 DesignerPlus feature set — including all new tools, Wi-Fi functionality and improved interface.
View DesignerPlus Update →DesignerPlus Upgrade
If you already own a V9 Creator licence and want to unlock the full DesignerPlus feature set, this upgrade gives you access to all additional tools, fonts, designs and the Keyboard Design Collection.
View DesignerPlus Upgrade →Bernina V9 Wi-Fi Device
A separate hardware dongle that enables wireless design transfer from your computer to any USB-supported embroidery machine. Works with Bernina Embroidery Software 9 (sold separately) and can send designs from multiple PCs or to multiple machines.
View V9 WiFi Device →
Windows, Mac, iOS & AndroidPfaff and Husqvarna Viking machines are compatible with Creativate - a cross-platform digital design toolkit that works across Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, making it the most platform-flexible option available.
Creativate
Creativate is a cross-platform digital toolkit for embroiderers, sewers and crafters - available on Windows, Mac, iOS and Android. It allows you to create, edit and transfer embroidery designs, and is compatible with Pfaff and Husqvarna Viking sewing & embroidery machines. A subscription gives access to design libraries, tools and regular new content.
Learn more about Creativate →Common questions
A few things customers often ask about embroidery software.
Do I need software to use my embroidery machine?
Which software works on a Mac?
Can I use one brand's software with another brand's machine?
Is there a free trial available?
What is the difference between a Bernina update and upgrade?
Not sure which software is right for you?
Not sure which software is right for you?
Our team are happy to help - tell us what machine you have and what you'd like to do with it, and we'll point you in the right direction.