Design 101 ::
Lesson 3 :: File Types
JPEG (.jpeg, .jpg)
A JPEG (or JPG) is most commonly used for graphics on the web. JPEGs are good
for photographs and graphics with gradients. JPEGs can be saved in either
the CMYK color model or the RGB color model (see color
model page). JPEGs can also be saved in any resolution, from 72 dpi for
web graphics, to 300+ dpi for print graphics (see resolution page).
JPEGs are raster images, which means they CANNOT be enlarged without losing
the quality of the image.
GIF (.gif)
GIFs are also commonly used for website graphics. These are best for images
with solid blocks of color, like logos. GIFs can be saved with transparent
backgrounds, so they lay right onto the background of the website. GIFs can
also be animated, where several frames are put together in one file and set
into motion. GIFs are also raster images, so they cannot be made larger without
losing quality.
TIFF (.tif, .tiff)
TIFFs are raster files, so they cannot be enlarged without sacrificing quality.
They are most commonly used for photographs and logos. A TIFF file can be
saved at any resolution and any color model. TIFF images at 150 dpi in the
RGB color model are recommended for use in Microsoft Office applications
(Word, PowerPoint).
EPS & ILLUSTRATOR (.eps,
.ai)
EPS and Illustrator files are vector files. This means the contents of the
file can be enlarged as big as you need, and the quality will not suffer. For
this reason, these are the preferred files for logos. If you need to print
your logo very large, you will need an .EPS or .AI file. Both EPS and AI files
can be saved with the fonts created as outlines. This means the font will be
consistent when the next person opens it, but it will become uneditable. Be
advised that you may not be able to open and view these files without appropriate
software.
PDF (.pdf)
PDFs are great, because almost everyone has Adobe Reader to view them. PDFs
embed the font file within the document, so you don't have to worry about
the font showing up different on someone else's screen. PDFs can contain
both raster and vector images.
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