Image File Types

Images require a lot of data, so many different file types have been created over the years to compress the data in different ways. Each file type was designed with a specific purpose in mind: some are designed specifically for photographs, some for website graphics, and some attempt to combine multiple purposes into one. Most image file formats hold data in a “raster” format, which is basically a grid of colour pixels. However, in the print industry, if the image is printed large, the pixels become large, which isn’t ideal. Vector graphics fix this issue, as images are not stored as pixels but as point-to-point drawn lines which don’t become blurred when create at a large scale.

What's the best file type for images

Wolfpack can accept multiple image types, however we prefer vector images as these are the only types of images that won’t blur when scaled or printed. If you only have raster images, such as jpg, they have to be of a larger size as to retain its quality when scaled. You can send files to us using email or by using our file upload page.
Send Us ArtworkSend Us Artwork

Vector Image Files

File contains point to point lines & areas

EPS - General Vector File

  • Encapsulated PostScript
  • Vector File format (can contain raster images too)
  • Good for printing and exchanging vector graphics between different applications
  • supports both RGB and CMYK colour modes

AI - Adobe Vector File

  • Adobe Illustrator Artwork File Format
  • Vector Graphical Image
  • supports both RGB and CMYK colour modes.

CDR - Corel Vector File

  • CorelDRAW file format
  • Vector File format (can contain raster images too)
  • Support both RGB and CMYK colour modes

SVG - Web Vector File

  • Scalable Vector Graphics
  • Vector Graphical Image
  • Can link to raster image files
  • Ideal for website vector graphics
  • Can be used for printing, but is not ideal

Combined Image Files

File contains multiple data types

PDF - Adobe Document Standard

  • Portable Document Format
  • Primary designed to be a general format for on-screen printed documents
  • Contains raster images, vector graphics, text and interactive elements
  • Vector elements will be scalability, raster elements won’t scale well
  • Ideal for sharing documents and images in a common standard format
  • Support both RGB and CMYK colour modes

PSD - Adobe Photoshop File

  • Adobe Photoshop Document
  • Primarily raster image graphics, can contain vector graphics and text layers
  • Lossless compression used
  • Support both RGB and CMYK colour modes

INDD - Adobe InDesign File

  • Adobe InDesign Document
  • Container file for vector, raster, textual elements
  • Ideal for Page layout design, such as brochures, magazines, posters, flyers etc
  • Support both RGB and CMYK colour modes

Raster Image Files

File contains a grid of colour pixels

PNG - Raster Image for Graphics

  • Portable Network Graphics
  • Compressed Raster (usually lossless compression)
  • 24-bit RGB colour plus transparent
  • Ideal for onscreen graphics

JPEG or JPG - Raster Image for Photos

  • Joint Photographic Experts Group
  • Compressed Raster
  • Usually stored in 24-bit RGB colour (no transparent layers), CMYK colour also available.
  • Variable Compression Rates (lossy)
  • Ideal for photographs

GIF - Raster Image for website graphics

  • Graphics Interchange Format
  • Compressed Raster (usually lossless compression)
  • 24-bit RGB colour plus transparent (or lower depth)
  • Can hold multiple images for animation use
  • Ideal for simple web graphics

BMP - Uncompressed raster Image

  • Bitmap Image File
  • Uncompressed lossless raster image
  • Usually stored in 24-bit RGB colour, but can support a number of colour depths
  • Designed by Microsoft, but not often used because of lack of any file compression.

HEIC - High quality raster image

  • High Efficiency Image Container File
  • Raster Image File Format
  • Providers better quality than jpg
  • 24-bit RGB colour plus transparent and higher colour rates such as sRGB
  • File format is capable of holding multiple images
  • Common used with Apple devices

TIFF - Higher quality raster image

  • Tagged Image File Format File
  • Raster Image File Format
  • Better quality, but large file sizes
  • Usually 24-bit RGB colour plus transparent and image layering
  • Support both RGB and CMYK colour profiles/modes
  • File type used heavily during the 1990’s

WEBP - Website Images

  • Web Picture
  • Raster Graphics file format
  • Lossless and lossy compression capable
  • Designed recently by Google to replace website images (such as JPEG, PNG, and GIF)
  • 24-bit RGB colour plus transparent and higher colour rates such as sRGB
  • Can hold multiple images for animation use

Other document types

File contains encoded compressed objects, not specifically designed for images

DOCX - MS Word Document

  • Document File XML
  • MS Word application
  • Primary used for create textual based documents such as letters, reports, resumes, newsletters, etc..
  • Lossless compression file
  • Replacement for the older MS Word .doc file types
  • Internationally recognised format

XLSX - MS Excel Spreadsheet

  • Excel Spreadsheet XML
  • MS Excel application
  • Primary used for creating spreadsheets, ie. rows/columns of data
  • Lossless compression file
  • Replacement for the older MS Excel .xls file types
  • Internationally recognised format

PPTX - MS PowerPoint Presentation

  • PowerPoint Presentation XML
  • MS PowerPoint application
  • Primary used for on screen presentations (slideshows, lectures, pitches, etc.)
  • Lossless compression file

PUB - MS Publisher

  • Publisher Document
  • MS Publisher application
  • Primary used for creating publications such as brochures, flyers, newsletters, and other desktop publishing materials.
  • Lossless compression file

ODT - Open Document

  • OpenDocument Text
  • Applications: LibreOffice Writer and OpenOffice Writer
  • Primary used for create textual based documents such as letters, reports, resumes, newsletters, etc..
  • Lossless compression file
  • Internationally recognised format

RAW - Camera Image

  • RAW Camera Data
  • Raster Image – Uncompressed
  • Lossless compression file
  • It’s the raw data from a professional camera
  • Requires special software to open or convert to a standard file format

CANVA - Canva files

  • Canva Design File
  • Canva web-based design
  • Primary used for creating various types media graphics
  • Lossless compression file
  • Native format for designs created within Canva
  • Commercial print industry don’t use the canva file format; files should be exported to PDF

FAQ

  • What does resolution mean?

    Its the amount of detail than can be clearly seen in image which is usually measured in dots per inch.

  • What resolution of image do you require?

    We usually require around 300dpi resolution, but is depending on what the images is being used for.

  • Whats the difference between lossless and lossy?

    Most data is stored in a lossless format to prevent any loss of data. However, images often contain a significant amount of data, prompting the development of various compression techniques. Many of these techniques sacrifice unnoticeable detailed data to achieve a much smaller file size, while maintaining the overall appearance of the image.

  • What is a "Raster" image?

    Image data is stored as a colour grid of pixel dots.

  • What is a "Vector" image?

    Image data stored a large number of point to point graphical lines & areas.

  • What is DPI?

    Dots per Inch, is the number of colour pixels per inch. 300dpi - 600dpi is generally required for printing.

  • What is EXIF?

    Many file formats are able to store extra meta information about the image such when and where the image was taken, this data is usually stored in EXIF format (exchangeable image file.)

  • What is 24-bit RGB?

    All computer data is stored internally in binary. Every pixel within a rasterized image is stored as different brightnesses of the primary Red Green Blue colours. Each colour taking 8 binary bits each, which results in a level brightness of 0 to 255 for each colour; this is one of the most common colour standards.

  • Why can't I open this image file?

    Some image files only work with specific software. You will need to install the correct software to see the image, or have the image converted to a standard image format.

  • Do you have a question?

About image compression

Nearly all digital image files will employ some kind of complex compression method; this is because images generally take up a lot of data. Compressing 40 million bytes of image data to just 4 million is quite common. Each time an image is saved to a file, the data undergoes compression, often resulting in a slight loss of visual detail. When the file is opened and displayed on the screen, the data must be decompressed. Therefore, it is recommended to limit the number of times an image is opened and resaved (such as JPGs), as image quality is lost each time. However, some applications do utilise file types (such as .ai) that do not lose data