Image File Types

Released in 1992.

JPEG stands for "Joint Photographic Experts Group"

When JPG files are saved, they use "lossy" compression, meaning image quality is lost as file size decreases.

GREAT FOR: Images with complex coloring and Real Life Photographs

Created in 1996.

PNG stands for "Portable Network Graphic"

PNGs have lossless compression which means there's no data loss.

PNGs can be saved with transparent backgrounds, meaning they can go onto any background and maintain appearance.

GREAT FOR: Flat areas of color, logos, transparent or semitransparent images.

Created by CompuServe in 1987

GIF stands for "Graphics Interchange Format"

GIFs come alive with animation! They are comprised of a series of frames to make a moving image.

GIFs have lossless compression which means theres no data loss.

GREAT FOR: Web graphics with not many colors and Animations

Created by Aldus Corp in 1986, but the patent was acquired by Adobe Systems in 2009.

TIFF Stands for "Tagged Image Format File"

TIFF is very similar to a PSD file, and can be viewed and edited in nearly every photo editing software.

Whether compressed or not, TIFFs do NOT lose any image data.

TIFFs are the preferred format for scanning complex imagery.

GREAT FOR: Images that will be sent to print and If images are still being edited and layers are needed.

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