These are the most common types of graphic or image file formats prevalent today.
What is a TIFF? (.tif, .tiff)
Tagged Image File Format files are pixel-based images used primarily by graphics professionals to save high resolution (300 ppi) images for full-color printing. TIFF files are typically not compressed and retain image quality without degradation.
What is a Bitmap? (.bmp)
Bitmap files are a proprietary file type used by Microsoft Windows and are pixel-based images.
What is a JPEG? (.jpg, .jpeg)
The Joint Photographers Experts Group file format (standardized in 1992) is a pixel-based image format. JPEG is a “lossy” format meaning some image quality is lost when the file is saved/created. JPEG files can be created with different levels of compression ranging from high to low. High compression creates the smallest file size but also the lowest image quality. The JPEG format is commonly used to save images for the internet.
What is a GIF? (.gif)
Graphics Interchange Format files are pixel-based images widely used for web graphics. GIFs are limited to 256 colors, allow for transparency and can be animated.
What is a PNG? (.png)
The Portable Network Graphic file is a pixel-based image format created to improve upon the GIF format. PNGs are “lossless” (they retain image quality) and are capable of displaying millions of colors, allow for transparency and can be animated. They’re commonly used for web graphics.
What is an EPS? (.eps)
Encapsulated Postscript files are a common vector graphic format used by graphics professionals to create print-ready documents, posters, billboards, banners, etc.
What is an SVG? (.svg)
Scalable Vector Graphics are files that are rendered into pixels by a web browser (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, etc.) as the file is called upon by the browser. Because they are vector files (i.e., they contain no pixels, only a mathematical description of the image), the size of the file can be kept to a minimum.
What is a Raster image?
Another somewhat common term one encounters when discussing computer-generated graphics is raster. A raster image is synonymous with a pixel-based image. Raster refers to the process (called rasterizing or rasterization) where computer data is translated into pixels. All computer-generated graphics files, whether of images or images and text, are ultimately rasterized (turned into pixels) before reaching the printing press.
If you have any questions about any of these common graphic file formats, give us a call (330-597-8560). We’re happy to help you get the most out of your printing project.
