Freedom251 › Embroidery Design Software
Melco DesignShop 12
What Melco DesignShop 12 is
Melco DesignShop 12 is Windows software for creating and digitizing embroidery designs. The workspace supports unlimited design tabs, adjustable grid-ruler guides with snapping, and user customization. Automated tools handle tasks such as primer stitches, basting outlines, underlay, stippling, and sequencing. Design Checker flags common problems in wireframe designs and text, including missing tie stitches, excess density, and absent underlay. Supported formats include DST, EXP, EXP+, EPS, ART8, PES, EMB, and Melco’s OFM; ART8 and EMB are for importing or opening only. Built-in thread charts include Isacord, Madeira, Coloreel, and Glide. MelcoOS integration supports embroidery on Melco machines. Licensing runs through Melco Cloud credentials, and updates are delivered to the user’s account. The four new-license tiers range from Lettering at $590, paid once to Professional at $2,890, paid once, with Editor and Vector options between them. Melco provides phone and email technical support, an online knowledge base, and FAQs.
Who it suits
It suits embroidery designers working on Windows who need tools ranging from lettering and monograms to broader digitizing and customization. Melco describes its software levels as serving different digitizing needs.
What it does well
- Automates several embroidery preparation tasks
- Design Checker flags common design issues
- Includes multiple built-in thread charts
- Supports DST, EXP, PES, and OFM formats
- Phone and email technical support available
What to know first
- Windows only
- No free plan
- ART8 and EMB are import or open only
- New licenses start at $590, paid once
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Vector | New license · Includes Editor features · Vector graphics tools · Graphic Conversion Assistant | $1,990, paid once |
| Professional | New license · Includes Vector features · Appliqué alphabets · Borders · Advanced digitizing tools | $2,890, paid once |
| Lettering | New license · 200+ fonts and monograms · 1,000 stock embroidery designs | $590, paid once |
| Editor | New license · Includes Lettering features · Manual digitizing · Wireframe or stitch editing | $890, paid once |
As melco.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
DesignShop 12 offers digitizing, checking, automation, and machine-file support in a Windows product with tiered one-time licenses. Check the format and tier details against the intended embroidery workflow.
Facts from Melco DesignShop 12's own pages
- Automation
- The software automates tasks including Auto Primer Stitch, Auto Basting Outline, Auto Underlay, Auto Stippling, and Auto Sequencing. · melco.com, 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. · melco.com, 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. · melco.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1972 · melco.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Headquarters
- Westminster, Colorado, USA · melco.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- Melco describes the four software levels as serving different digitizing needs, from lettering and monograms to complete creative customization. · melco.com, 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. · melco.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Machine integration
- Melco says MelcoOS integration enables embroidery on Melco machines. · melco.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- DesignShop 12 is embroidery digitizing software with design capabilities and tools for creating embroidery designs. · melco.com, 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. · melco.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Melco offers technical support by phone and email, along with an online knowledge base and FAQs. · melco.com, 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. · melco.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Thread charts
- Built-in thread charts include Isacord, Madeira, Coloreel, Glide, and other major industry brands. · melco.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Workspace
- Users can customize the workspace, work with unlimited design tabs, and use editable grid-ruler guides with snapping. · melco.com, 7 Oct 2026
Where Melco DesignShop 12 stands on Freedom251
- Embroidery Design Software#26 of 31