Image file type guide - 5 most popular types and when to use which

Which are the best image file types? As online merchants, we all use images to convey different messages. Whether it’s adding image background, adding a logo, posting a product pic, pinning images, it’s important to know what image file type to use. The difference in image file types mainly results from image compression requirements. It is a good idea to be familiar with the most important file format for printing, scanning, camera, and internet use.

Considerations to choose an image file type from:

• Quality of compression: Compression degrees vary, lossy types for smallest files or lossless for best quality images.
• 8-bit, 16-bit,24-bit, or 48-bit RGB colors or CMYK colors popular with commercial print.
• Indexed colors largely used with graphics.
• Animation or transparency quality.
• Printed image material or web destination image material.

5 most popular image file types

1. JPG

This is the most commonly used image file type. It’s the file extension for JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group). Web pages and digital cameras use JPG image file format as they use lossy compression to compress the images into very small file sizes. If you are focused on preserving image quality and have a small image size - use a high-quality setting to create a larger JPG file on a digital camera. Don’t edit and save your image repeatedly as this lessens your image quality each time you save it as JPG.

Pros of JPG

• Has a small file size.
• Supports 24-bit color grade.
• Recognized by any internet search engine.
• Compatible with the various OS (Mac, Windows, Linux).

Cons of JPG

• Quality of the image is lost while compressing.
• Quality of the image is lost while re-saving.
• Don’t support animation and transparency.

When to use JPG

• Used for images with various different colors e.g. photographs
• Use in need of very small size images e.g. to use online, sending an email, etc.

If you want to convert JPG files to or from other formats, Filestar is a quick and simple way. Check out our skills for JPG files here.

2. GIF

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) was specially designed for video screening. It uses lossless compression but it’s always an indexed color file. They have a 24-bit color palette mainly used for images that have low color variation.

Pros of GIF

• Supports animation.
• Supports transparency.

Cons of GIF

• It only supports 256 colors.
• It has a very large file size.

When to use GIF

• Use for simple image icons with few colors.
• Use for animated pictures.

There are many file formats that you can move between when it comes to GIF files using Filestar. Have a look here if you are curious.

3. PNG

It was the most recent image file invention to bypass GIF compression patent issues. A very modern file type supporting both indexed and RGB colors from 1-bit to 48-bit. The indexed 256 GIF colors are replaced with 8-bit mode and 24-bit mode PNG providing over 16 Million colors for photographs. PNG is a superb option for lossless quality images.

Pros of PNG

• The image quality isn’t lost after compression.
• Transparency is supported at a better quality than with GIF images.
• The images file sizes are smaller than GIF.

Cons of PNG

• All web browsers can’t support PNG.
• Animation isn’t supported by PNG.
• One can’t store large files as they increase in size when they are saved.

When to use PNG

• Works well with transparent backgrounds.
• Used for small images e.g. logo.
• When you want the best quality image regardless of the size.

To see what skills you can use for PNG files with Filestar, head over here.

4. TIFF

Tagged Image File Format is the most popular image file format used by designers and photographers. It's the most versatile and the best quality to present commercial work. TIFF images aren’t compressed making them the best for post-processing. These files can be comfortably used with any photo editing software.

Pros of TIFF

• Produces very high-quality images.
• It supports layered images.
• All color and image data is stored.

Cons of TIFF

• Very huge file size.
• Takes a long time to be transmitted over the internet.
• Loading TIFF files takes a while.

When to use TIFF

• Images that require to be printed.
• Images that need to be stored without any loss of details or quality.

To change from and to the TIFF file format using Filestar, check out our skills page here.

5. PSD

Adobe Photoshop has gained so much popularity over the years. PSD is a photoshop document. It maintains image quality for a long period of time which makes it good for printing photos.

Pros of PSD

• Uses all photoshop features like blending modes, shapes, layer styles, clipping paths, etc.
• Can open and edit layered files.
• Maintains transparency.
• Very well integrated with Adobe products as you can effortlessly import an image into Illustrator, Indesign, etc.

Cons of PSD

• Huge file size.
• It is proprietary to Adobe and isn’t supported by other apps.
• Not suitable for the web.

When to use PSD

• When you need to edit the image with photoshop.
• To retain the quality of print image.

See all conversions you can do to and from PSD files with Filestar here.

In conclusion, there are many different formats for images and photos to choose from. By using the above guide the choice will hopefully be clearer. And converting between various image formats is easy with a professional conversion tool like Filestar.