3 Image File Types Explained

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a jpeg, png or pdf file? And what is the appropriate file to use for a given situation? Here is a snapshot review - hope that you find this helpful!

JPEG files

Jpeg's are the most commonly used file format for digital photos and graphics. They are however 'pixel-based', which means that when you scale them up, they can start to loose quality and become blurry. Jpeg's can be used for uploading onto social media such as Instagram or for your website. However, they are not suitable for print. Also, this is not the file type if you want a transparent background, for that you would need a png file…

PNG files

Similar to jpeg's, png files are also 'pixel-based' which means that they can loose quality when they are scaled up. The difference however is that png's can have transparent backgrounds so you can overlay the graphic over another image for a watermark effect. Png files are not ideal for uploading onto social media - jpeg's are better for that. Also, for printed projects, use a pdf file instead for best quality ...

PDF files

Pdf's can be multi-page documents, like e-books, or graphics, like logos. They are 'vector-based', which means that they are scalable and have the best quality so you can zoom in without it becoming pixelated. This makes pdf's the preferred file format for printed collateral, such as packaging and business cards. Pdf's can also be used for sending documents, such as a newsletter, via email or uploaded to a cloud. However, there are limitations to where pdf files can be uploaded. For example, they cannot be uploaded to Instagram.