Melco DesignShop 12
Melco DesignShop 12 is Windows software for creating and digitizing embroidery designs.
What Melco DesignShop 12 is
Melco DesignShop 12 is Windows software for creating and digitizing embroidery designs. It offers auto-digitizing, stitch simulation, appliqué tools, vector import, customizable workspaces, unlimited design tabs, and snapping grid-ruler guides. Automation includes primer stitches, basting outlines, underlay, stippling, and sequencing. Design Checker identifies issues such as missing tie stitches, excessive density, and missing underlay. Supported formats are DST, EXP, EXP+, EPS, ART8, PES, EMB, and Melco’s OFM; ART8 and EMB are import or open only. Built-in thread charts include Isacord, Madeira, Coloreel, and Glide, while MelcoOS integration supports embroidery on Melco machines. One-time plans range from Lettering at $590, paid once to Professional at $2,890, paid once. Cloud licensing manages activation and updates. Melco offers phone and email support, a knowledge base, and FAQs.
Good
- Auto-digitizing and stitch simulation
- Supports eight listed machine formats
- Design Checker flags common issues
- Built-in industry thread charts
- MelcoOS machine integration
Watch out
- Windows platform only
- No free plan
- ART8 and EMB are import or open only
Who it suits
DesignShop 12 suits embroidery users on Windows who need digitizing, editing, simulation, appliqué, vector import, and machine-format support. Its four levels address needs from lettering and monograms through broader customization.
Verdict
DesignShop 12 covers embroidery design preparation with automation, checking, and machine integration. Confirm Windows compatibility and format requirements before purchasing a tier.
Plans and prices
From Melco DesignShop 12's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Lettering | $590, paid once | New license · 200+ fonts and monograms · 1,000 stock embroidery designs |
| Editor | $890, paid once | New license · Includes Lettering features · Manual digitizing · Wireframe or stitch editing |
| Vector | $1,990, paid once | New license · Includes Editor features · Vector graphics tools · Graphic Conversion Assistant |
| Professional | $2,890, paid once | New license · Includes Vector features · Appliqué alphabets · Borders · Advanced digitizing tools |
The facts
Each one read from Melco DesignShop 12's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Automation
- The software automates tasks including Auto Primer Stitch, Auto Basting Outline, Auto Underlay, Auto Stippling, and Auto Sequencing.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Design checking
- Design Checker checks wireframe designs and text for common issues such as missing tie stitches, excessive density, and missing underlay.checked 7 Oct 2026
- File formats
- It supports DST, EXP, EXP+, EPS, ART8, PES, EMB, and Melco’s OFM format; ART8 and EMB are marked import or open only.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Melco describes the four software levels as serving different digitizing needs, from lettering and monograms to complete creative customization.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Licensing and updates
- DesignShop 12 uses cloud-based licensing; users activate or deactivate licenses with Melco Cloud login credentials, and updates are delivered to their account.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- DesignShop 12 is embroidery digitizing software with design capabilities and tools for creating embroidery designs.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Security statement
- Melco says it uses data collection, storage, processing practices, and security measures to protect information stored on its website, and that site data exchanges use SSL-secured communication.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Melco offers technical support by phone and email, along with an online knowledge base and FAQs.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Thread charts
- Built-in thread charts include Isacord, Madeira, Coloreel, Glide, and other major industry brands.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Workspace
- Users can customize the workspace, work with unlimited design tabs, and use editable grid-ruler guides with snapping.checked 7 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 1972checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Westminster, Colorado, USAchecked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Machine integration
- Melco says MelcoOS integration enables embroidery on Melco machines.checked 7 Oct 2026
- System platform
- The maker’s DesignShop 12 system requirements link points to a PDF that could not be read; Melco’s DesignShop Sizer page lists Microsoft Windows requirements.checked 7 Oct 2026
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