Spring Greetings from the team at TM Design!
(April 2007)

In this issue, we'd like to share some information about image formats. Knowing the differences between these file formats, and which are preferred for print or the web, may help when preparing, organizing, collecting, and providing your files.

EPS (Encapsulated Postscript File)
EPS files are preferred for logos and computer illustrations because they can be vector based. This means they can be stretched and shrunk to any size without loss of quality. You can use a vector eps for a small logo on a business card, or a huge logo on a billboard! An Illustrator EPS is the file of choice.

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
GIFs are web graphics that have less color choices than other files (2 to 256 colors). Because GIFs can be compressed to have limited colors, they are best used for simple web graphics. GIFs with limited colors are smaller in size and download faster. They can also be used to create animations! GIFs are not suitable for print.

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
A JPEG is a bitmap image that utilizes “lossy compression.” This means the file size is compressed by throwing away pixels that translates into fine detail. Because of this, the JPEG is great for the web. High quality JPEGs can be used for print at the recommended resolution of 300 dpi or higher.

TIFF (Tagged Image Format)
TIFFs are preferred for print because they do not discard data to compress files like the JPEG does. No detail is lost and the image remains in the same condition. TIFFs must be high resolution—300 dpi or higher—and the actual dimensions for print.

Please email us with a topic that you would like to hear about.