File Types
Digital graphics come in a variety of different file types. Most of the frequently encountered files and some additional information is available below. Typically, images will submitted as .jpgs. They are also commonly sent in as .pdf .tiff and .eps files. We cannot open .pub (Publisher) files, but Publisher files can be exported as .pdf files. Here are some frequently used graphics abbreviations and terms.
.bmp |
BMP files are a proprietary windows image format. It has no built in compression and can only be saved in RGB color mode. While .BMP is an abbreviation for "Bit-Map" file, it is not to be confused with the printing industry definition of a Bit-Map. See below: Bit-Map. |
.gif |
Spoken as 'gif or 'jif ', this file format is usually found on the web. GIF files use a reduced color pallet to save space (up to 256 colors) These files generally do not print well due to their poor color depth and low image resolution. |
.jpg (or .jpeg) |
JPEG files are very prominently used for web graphics and digital cameras. Their wide usage stems from their flexibility in their methods of compression and excellent color quality. JPEGs that come out of digital cameras are generally of a very high quality. JPEG images that are taken from the internet, however, can vary greatly in quality depending upon their resolution, and compression quality. |
| Refers to a Portable Document File. PDF files are generally used to bring together projects that are made from multiple files. Fonts, color profiles, descriptions, text, images and meta data can all be stored within a single document. PDF files can also use JPEG compression to make the files very small without losing much quality. | |
| .eps | Encapsulated PostScript files are specific to the graphic design industry. EPS files can contain both images and vector data (See below) and are ideal for vector logos. |
.tiff |
Tagged Information File Format. Tiff files can contain both images and data to go along with them such as Meta-Data and Clipping Paths. They are larger than JPEG files, and cannot be compressed as well. |
RGB |
RGB refers to the RGB color model. It is an additive color process that combines Red, Green and Blue light to create color. Televisions, Computer Monitors, Projectors, etc, produce color in this fashion. Digital cameras and scanners collect data using this color process as well. For more information, click here |
CMYK |
Refers to the Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black) color process. CMYK is a subtractive color process that is used in printing to create color. Inks of CMYK pigments are printed in varying densities to create images and text. The range of colors that can be created though CMYK is much less than that which can be created though RGB, thus the risk of colors "shifting" if they are left in RGB color mode. For more information, click here |
Rasterized Graphic |
Graphics that are made of small units of color called "pixels." Graphics of this nature contain a finite number of pixels of varying colors that are mapped out to create an image. Since the graphic information is finite they are limited in their scalability. This is due to the fact that in order to scale up an image, the new pixels that are added must be interpolated, or made up from, the existing data. This will result in images that are either blurry, or end up looking "pixilated." |
Vector Graphic |
Vector images are usually reserved for images that are very simple in nature, like logos, line art and text. Instead of being made up of pixels, the image is made of a series of points and lines. Each point contains mathematical information that tells how the line should curve from one point to the next. This allows images of this nature to be scaled infinitely, without any loss of quality. |
| Bitmap Graphic | A one color file that is only made up of black and white. Usually saved at high resolutions and is used for simple, one-color logos. |
| Meta-Data | Data that is embedded in file that gives information as to nature of the file. Descriptions, time and dates, software version numbers, creators of the file and color profiles are all examples of meta-data that can be contained within a specific document. |
