Learning Different File Types When You Print Online
by joey jacobsOne hurdle that you may encounter when you print online is the file requirement. Have you come across terms such as EPS, TIFF, PDF, GIF and JPEG? Did they add to your confusion instead of helping you understand what goes into a good printing result?
Sometimes, seeing these terms add up to the ‘seeming’ complexity of converting your image or graphic files into hard copies.
These terms simply pertain to your file types. These are actually extension names, just like the ones that you see on your word processor (like yourdocument.doc) or music (classicalmusic.mp3) files, except that these extensions are supported by the image and graphics softwares that you use.
Break it down
Here are the common file types that you need to get a better idea of to achieve hassle-free printing.
1. BMP (Bitmap)
BMP is a file type for raster graphics and digital images used in Windows Operating Systems. They are widely used in image-editing softwares. However, such files usually are uncompressed so they have large file sizes.
2. GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)
GIF also caters to raster images. It is a popular for simple monochromatic graphics or those that contain two to a few colors such as solid-colored designs and logos. Photographic images get poor quality when printed under GIF due to its 256-color limit within its palette. Hence, it is not recommended for such files.
3. PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
As an alternative to GIF, PNG was developed to address the patent license needed, as well as to improve the compression of GIF. It also makes use of colors than its predecessor. Despite this, however, GIF is still more commonly used and supported than PNG.
4. JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
JPEG is the common file used for photographic images. It is better than PNG in that file transfer is easier due to the smaller file size. But the problem with JPEG files is limitation when it comes to repeated saving and editing in softwares. This means that the quality of a JPEG image deteriorates when the original photo is edited and then saved, and then edited once more, and then saved again. Considering this aspect, PNG is the better option. Once ready for use, the JPEG format can be employed.
5. TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)
TIFF is one of the most favored file types for digital images that need to be printed. This is, partly, due to the fact that it supports different images spaces like CMYK which is the color space used by printers.
6. EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
Unlike other file types, EPS can be used for both vector and raster images. Also, both PC and Mac support EPS files. This file type is usually used when graphic images will be used in vector-based programs like Illustrator.
7. PDF (Portable Document Format)
PDF is a favorite format because it makes sure that your file will be read, regardless of the software you used to make it. It saves the texts in its original typeface, the graphics and images. This easily eliminates the need to link or embed images and uncommon typefaces which your printer may not have.
The next time you print online, it may be best to convert your files to PDF which makes sure that all of your document contents are present and in place.