You mean to tell me there’s more than PDFs?!

Oh yeah. There’s a whole world of files out there, and they each serve a specific purpose. As computers have advanced, so have the way we design and store images. How many times can you recall saving a file only to have it appear blurry when you pull it up later?

If you don’t know about the different types of files and the purpose they serve, you can be compromising the quality of your artwork big time.

Don’t get caught with a pixelated image again. Let’s go through the 411 on each file type.

Raster vs. Vector

You might have heard these terms before, and though commonly used as a verb, they are just a type of graphic.

Raster-graphics include PNG and JPEG formats. They store image information with a grid of colored squares known as a bitmap. Those squares fuse to form an image, just like pixels form the screens of our devices. Again, these files are best for detailed images like photos since they can specify the exact color of a pixel. These files decrease in quality when they increase in size.

Vector-graphics include SVG and PDF formats. They store images as a set of points and lines. Mathematic formulas determine their (the lines and points) place and shape within the file. Through this, they can maintain space (quality) when the files are scaled up or down.  

JPEG

JPEG stands for “joint photographic experts group” and is the standard image format. They can contain high-quality image data (remember these are computer/phone files and are compressed so that the system can read them.) Digital cameras compress the data in the photo to make the files smaller, which makes them easier to work with. They are one of the more storage savvy files without compromising quality.

Be wary that the more the image is compressed, the blurrier the image will become.

JPEGs are best used with photographs, but struggle to show clarity with sharp edges and curves, as used in a lot of graphic designs.

PNG

PNG stands for “portable graphics format” and is the best format for digital art. PNGs should not be used for normal photos. They use a 24-bit color as their foundation and support over 16 million colors! They will keep your designs looking sharp and vibrant and are less likely to comprise the quality of your image than JPEGs. They also can show transparent backgrounds.

The downfall of PNGs is that the files are typically much larger than other file types and will take up a lot of storage on your phones, iPads, and computers.  

PDF

PDF stands for “portable document format.” This is the best file for print and other documents like resumes and contracts. Almost every single device can read a PDF, and they are easily accessible on mobile devices. You can convert Microsoft Office documents, PNGs, JPEGs, and other files into PDFs so they are easily readable to others across multiple platforms.

The difference between PDFs and other document files is that PDFs are not images, they are only document files. PDFs preserve the original layout of the files where others compress it.

SVG

SVG stands for “scalable vector graphics” and is the format that enables you to display vector images. A vector image is a digital image made by placing lines by computer equations in a 2D or 3D space. I know that sounds complicated, but it really just means that the computer enables the file to be edited by giving it points to connect to.

You can scale SVG files as needed without losing quality, which makes them ideal for web design. They are also SEO-optimized, smaller than other file types, and can be animated.

SVGs are great for icons, logos, and illustrations since they can be scaled well.

DXF

DXF is short for “drawing interchange format” or “drawing exchange format.” Its main use is to represent a drawing file when sharing drawing data between programs. DXF is not as common as the other types of files listed here but can be used with AutoCAD and Corel Draw.

HEIC

This is Apple’s version of a high-quality image. iPhone and iPad users, you may have seen this new version when exporting or sharing photos from your camera roles. This will be the default photo file on all devices with iOS 11 or later. This file type was designed with better compression and preservation of image quality in mind. These files will make the file size smaller and therefore will provide better quality.

However, you might run into trouble when sharing these files. Many online programs and non-Apple users won’t be able to view it.

While you can’t change the device taking a photo as a HEIC, you can still share it as a JPEG. Go to your settings, then photos, and head over to the “Transfer to Mac or PC” section. Click automatic. You should be good to go after that!

Woah, that’s a lot of tech information – but it’s information you need to know. Whether taking photos of your kids or creating digital art, this will help you create and share higher-quality files. If all this went over your head, don’t worry. Most devices are user friendly and just require you to choose the file type when saving. If you already have files created, you can easily change the file type by exporting or saving it as another file type.

For more information on how to do this, head over to YouTube and type in “How to export a __ to a __” and insert which types you are converting to and from. You’ll find a ton of step-by-step tutorials on how to export on any device!