For many people, knowing when to use a certain type of graphic or image file is a confusing matter. Most of us have heard of “JPEG files” and maybe the “GIF format”, but what about EPS and TIFF? When is it appropriate to use certain file types and not others? This is a brief guide explaining what each kind of file is and when it is appropriate to use it.
When people refer to a “file type” they are most often talking about the letters which come after the period in the name of a file. This is also known as a file extension. For example “filename.doc” has a “.doc” file extension which is most commonly associated with the Microsoft Word program. Most common file types for graphics and photos are .jpg, .gif, .png, .tif, and .eps.
JPEG files (Joint Photographic Experts Group) are most commonly seen with a file extension .jpg or .jpeg. Both refer to the JPEG (pronounced Jay-Peg) format. This is a compressed format that is best used for on-screen application, such as in PowerPoint documents and on the Internet. Its purpose is to provide a high quality image with a small file size. On the web, JPEG files have been formatted to 72dpi which means there are 72 dots-per-inch, which refers to the resolution. This resolution may be acceptable for printing documents for personal use, but is not high enough quality to use for professional printing such as on business cards, brochures, books, and any other printing for circulation.
Best used for: On-Screen PowerPoint presentations, web sites, emails, and other situations where a small file is needed.
Not ideal for: High quality printing projects like brochures, business cards, book covers, etc. unless you can verify that it is a high resolution image (200+dpi). In that case, JPGs are acceptable for print use.
GIF files (Graphics Interchange Format) are seen with a file extension .gif. The GIF format was created exclusively for use on the web and is known for its ability to animate and also retain transparency. GIF files are limited to 256 colors and are best used for graphics with a small number of colors such as a logo. They do not reproduce photos well, unlike the JPG format which handles far more colors.
Best used for: Web sites, emails, and other situations where a small file is needed with limited colors.
Not ever used for: High quality printing projects like brochures, business cards, book covers, or any printed materials using CMYK color.
PNG files (Portable Network Graphics) are seen with a file extension .png. This format has been recently created as an alternative to the GIF format. Although it does not allow for animation, it handles a wider range of transparencies and colors, often with far better compression. It is becoming widely supported in most every modern web browser.
Best used for: Web sites, emails, and other situations where a file is needed with transparency, large number of colors and a small file size.
Not ever used for: High quality printing projects like brochures, business cards, book covers, or any printed materials using CMYK color.
TIFF files (Tagged Image File Format) use the extension .tif or .tiff and is pronounced TIFF. TIFF is an uncompressed format that is suitable for high quality printing and is the most universal and widely supported format across all platforms (Mac, Windows, Unix, etc.). The only drawback is that the file sizes are much larger than JPEG files. For example, TIFF files have a resolution of 300 dpi which is more than enough resolution for most printing needs, but can be rather large (1MB+).
Best used for: High quality printing of brochures, business cards, book covers, published articles and other print materials.
Not ideal for: Web sites, PowerPoint presentations, files that need to be emailed
EPS files (Encapsulated PostScript) use the extension .eps and is pronounced as an acronym (E.P.S.). This format is unique in that it is a PostScript file that is resolution independent. Since it is based on vector points and not pixels, it can be scaled to any size with out any loss of quality. This makes the EPS format one of the most versatile formats for graphic designers and desktop publishers to use. It is commonly used with graphic programs like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and other vector-based programs.
Best used for: High quality printing of brochures, business cards, book covers, published articles and other print materials.
Not ideal for: Web sites, PowerPoint presentations, Word Documents
