Graphic Design: File Formats Web versus Print
A web photo is optimized at 72dpi (low resolution file) and print quality is typically 300dpi (high resolution file. If you print a low resolution file it will be fuzzy. If you add a high resolution file to your web site or on the web, it will take a long time to load on a page for your viewers and may not load for dial up.
.JPG (called a jpeg)
A .JPG is a compressed image file. It can be compressed for high (for print), medium (for web) or low (for email). This is one of the types of files you can upload to your web site, blogs and social media.
.GIF
A .GIF is always low resolution and can be supported by almost all browsers. A .GIF can also be created with a transparent background.
A .PDF can be opened and read with the free software Adobe Reader and is the best way to make a portable document to add to the web site, as a e-book or to email to someone. A .PDF file can also be sent to a professional printer.
.TIF
The .TIF format is the most widely used for all graphic, photos and printing. It is the most reliable format to ensure high quality and you will see it often with professional photographers.
.EPS
An .EPS File is vector art and is the easiest file for a designer to transfer an image or logo. These files are scalable and a prefered file for printers, silk screeners and designers.
.PSD: Photoshop File
A .PSD file can only be opened by Photoshop, image editing software. It has all the layers and often make it possible for a designer to make changes to your photo.
.AI Adobe Illustrator
Another file that is acceptable for commercial print and other printing professionals, .AI files can only be opened with Adobe Illustrator and can have layers.
Make sure you ask your logo designer for a variety of formats when he/she creates your marketing products.
Tags: .ai format, .gif format, .jpg format, .pdf format, .psd format, commercial printer formats, file format for documents, file format for ebooks, file format for printing, file format for web, file formats
