Which image file format is all-time for photos and graphics? And what practise you need to know when converting from one to another? Acquire about epitome types and conversion in our complete guide to prototype file formats.

Most of us don't demand to concern ourselves too greatly with paradigm file formats. We have a picture on our smartphones or cameras, and perhaps postal service it online, and then we simply keep it on a computer, hard drive, or in the cloud for safekeeping.

Simply when it comes to uploading images online, using graphics, or archiving our creations, it pays to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the different formats available, and the kinds of images for which they may have been specifically designed.

Why do paradigm formats matter?

At a basic level, understanding image formats helps you to maintain paradigm quality. Whether an epitome is just for yourself or destined to exist seen past others, you'll clearly want it to look equally good every bit possible – especially if it's designed to stand for your brand.

Information technology's also of import as some image types aren't as widely supported every bit others, and so they won't be usable or viewable everywhere. Furthermore, some files support certain features that let them to be displayed correctly, or edited at a later on date, while others may not.

Another important reason concerns efficiency. Agreement file formats ways agreement files sizes, which helps you lot to transport and store images efficiently. This too affects load times for your website's pages, which has a knock-on effect on both user experience and SEO.

In this commodity, nosotros'll run through the main image formats used today, and explain their pros and cons, before we take a look at the things you should bear in mind when converting an image from one format to another.

Best file formats: At a glance

JPEG (.jpeg) Widely supported and used online, with small file sizes making it very efficient. Compression artefacts can be an issue, notwithstanding, and it'due south not ideal for graphics.
PNG (.png) Designed for graphics and widely supported online. Can preserve transparency layers, unlike most other formats. Non equally efficient equally JPEG and not designed for real-world images, but a proficient choice for photograph/graphics composites.
TIFF (.tif) Great where maximum image quality is required and for archiving. Can exist saved with or without lossy compression, although file sizes are larger than those of equivalent JPEGs, which makes it less ideal for online display.
PSD (.psd) Photoshop's default file format. Ideal for saving an epitome with layered edits, but images must be converted to some other format before being displayed online.
HEIC (.heic) Apple's proprietary format for images captured using iPhone and iPad devices running iOS xi or later. Designed to produce images with the quality of JPEGs merely with more efficient compression. Limited support outside of Apple'southward ecosystem.
SmartFrame Interactive image format designed for optimum presentation and security online, and perfect for graphics that don't crave the preservation of transparency channels. Easily embedded using <script> with support for thumbnails on social media and in search engines.

JPEG (extension .jpg or .jpeg)

The JPEG is the nearly widely used image file format online, and the default file type for images from most smartphones and dedicated cameras.

Information technology was designed specifically for photographs of real-world subjects, also known as 'continuous-tone' images, rather than graphics or illustrations, and it'southward supported by all kinds of devices, displays, and spider web browsers. If you're e'er asked to supply an image online, or when applying for an official certificate, a JPEG will usually be appropriate.

File sizes are usually small enough for such images to be shared and posted online without any issues with speed and performance. Just t o get these efficient file sizes, JPEGs have to be compressed.

JPEGs can exist compressed to especially high ratios, which is swell from the perspective of storage, simply it'south the nature of the compression – known equally 'lossy' pinch – that can create issues.

With lossy pinch, some information is discarded when the image is created in an endeavor to become the file size downward to a more reasonable level. This isn't usually something you lot notice, but t his becomes more than problematic as you compress images to a greater degree.

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Information technology can atomic number 82 to unsightly artifacts, such as defined blocks where in that location should be smoothen transitions between different areas. These are particularly obvious when an image has large flat areas with piffling detail, such every bit with blue skies.

Opening and saving the same file over time too degrades the image's quality, as it's constantly existence compressed and uncompressed in a lossy manner, losing a little more than information each time it'due south saved.

There have been forays into 'lossless' JPEG compression, just these are not supported by mainstream devices or editing programs.

1 matter JPEGs do not support is layers (explained below). Blastoff channels, which will exist discussed a little after, are too not supported by JPEGs.

What is a layer?

Layers let you lot to make edits to an image without directly editing the prototype contents itself. Instead, edits are fabricated on private layers that you can add together and remove. You can also change the properties of a layer with respect to things similar opacity. Yous don't see these layers in any fashion in the epitome, just the edits you make, and you can always revisit them later on. While you can edit a JPEG image using layers in a program such as Adobe Photoshop, it'southward not possible to salve information technology with these layers intact, equally you can with certain other file formats. This makes it less than platonic if the image needs to be edited again.

Good for:
Existent-world photographs and other images that comprise natural elements

Not so good for:

Graphics and images that comprise graphics, as well equally images with big areas of flat particular (which can also give rise to compression artifacts)

PNG (extension .png)

The Portable Network Graphics (PNG) file is the offset choice for graphics online. While it doesn't quite have as wide a level of support equally JPEG, in near cases where it isn't supported, you're likely to be using real-world images rather than graphics anyway.

It is, notwithstanding, supported sufficiently for information technology to be used in emails, on social media sites, and and so on. Indeed, it was conceived with the cyberspace very much in mind.

The PNG format has superseded the older GIF format for graphics, which today is used more commonly for animations, and it improves on GIF in a number of means. While both formats use lossless compression, PNG uses an alternative method that results in greater level of pinch. Information technology too supports a far broader range of fleck depths, which means that it tin depict a significantly wider range of colors than GIF files.

1 of the main advantages of the PNG format over others hither is support for blastoff channels. These allow pixels to be transparent to the degree of your choosing, so that when an prototype is saved this way, it can be placed over, and blend into, a differently colored background.

So, a round graphic, or one with more complex details (such equally the ane above), would need to be saved with a transparency layer, equally whatever background on which the graphic is placed can then fill in any areas that don't evidence detail. If saved equally a JPEG, such an image would, by default, have these transparent pixels filled by a solid white.

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Compression is lossless, which is cracking from the perspective of image quality. PNG files tend to exist larger than equivalent JPEGs in file size, although they're frequently used for smaller graphics with information that's easy to shrink, rather than real-world photographs with plenty of intricate detail.

Like JPEGs, PNG files support RGB color spaces, although every bit they are designed for online apply rather than printing, CMYK spaces are not supported. Support is also provided for images with a fleck depth of upwardly to 16 $.25 per colour channel, as opposed to the maximum 8-bit support provided by JPEGs.

As with JPEGs, you can open a PNG file and edit it using layers, but you lot cannot save information technology with these intact. If, therefore, you lot need to save an prototype you may wish to edit in the future, the PSD or TIFF formats would exist better options.

Good for:
Online graphics, particularly when transparency layers are required

Not and so practiced for:
Not normally required for photographic images, and not as efficient as JPEGs

TIFF (extension .tif or .tiff)

For a scattering of proficient reasons, TIFF files aren't as widely used equally JPEGs. Merely when it comes to maintaining image quality, it pays to understand their advantages.

Arguably the main advantage concerns compression. You lot can cull to leave files uncompressed or compress them losslessly, which preserves image quality (although lossy compression is also an option). By dissimilarity, JPEGs are always compressed using lossy compression, which discards information and can lead to artifacts actualization in images.

Considering of this, TIFF files are a groovy choice for many applications. Photographers volition typically save their edits as TIFF files, particularly as they can be saved with editable layers. They're also an ideal format for printing images, and they're widely used for scientific purposes, where baloney from pinch artifacts cannot be tolerated.

Back up for layers and abstention of compression artifacts besides makes them perfect for archiving images, although it's also wise to go along the Raw file from the camera (where bachelor) as this provides a improve starting point for editing.

The primary downsides of TIFF files are their size and the fact that they aren't as widely supported as JPEGs. I would not unremarkably mail weighty TIFF files online, as JPEGs are ofttimes sufficient, amend supported, and don't affect page load times as TIFF files do.

Good for:
High-quality prints, scientific applications, and images otherwise probable to be affected by lossy compression artifacts

Non so good for:
Large files aren't platonic when embedding online, and support is more limited than with JPEG

PSD (extension .psd)

PSD files, whose name derives from the term Photoshop Document, are, unsurprisingly, supported by Adobe Photoshop.

It'due south the default file format when you create a new file in Photoshop, and some other Adobe programs support it likewise, although sure programs from other manufacturers – such as Corel'southward CorelDRAW software and the free open-source editor GIMP – tin also open these. Yous tin even preview PSD files in Google Drive, although many files are probable to be too large to be opened here.

The main advantage of PSD files over JPEGs is that they can be saved with individual layers and without lossy compression. Each layer tin can have separate adjustments made to it, and so that when y'all open up the file back up y'all can add and discard private layers, and edit existing layers, without affecting the residuum of the image.

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These layers can also take special properties. They might be blastoff layers, for example, which can have their transparency determined, also as text layers and editing masks among other things.

PSD files are all-time thought of as works in progress, or files that you may want to revisit and re-edit, rather than finished works. That's not to say that archiving a PSD file with multiple layers intact is a bad idea, but if you know yous will no longer be editing an image, it's easier merely to save it as a TIFF file – which you can save with layers, simply to be in the safe side.

Good for:
Files that may need to exist re-edited, particularly where you've fabricated good use of layers

Non and so good for:
Immediate employ online due to size and lack of support for PSD format

HEIC (extension .heic)

HEIC might not exist as familiar as the JPEG or PNG standard. Indeed, you may have not even heard of it – although millions of people are currently using it.

And then what is HEIC? This is the default image format Apple has used for its iPad and iPhone devices since the launch of iOS xi. When you capture an epitome on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 11 or a more than contempo version, it will be saved in this format (unless you disable information technology, in which case information technology volition capture JPEGs).

HEIC is the container format for HEIF files, which stands for High Efficiency Paradigm File format. It was designed to retain the visual quality of the JPEG format but with the advantage of smaller file sizes.

The primary issue with the HEIC format is ane of compatibility. When you share a HEIC file between Apple tree devices it will retain its file format, simply when shared to a device that does non support it, it will convert it to JPEG to ensure compatibility.

Skilful for:
Efficient storage on mobile devices

Not so good for:
Compatibility with devices exterior of the Apple ecosystem

SmartFrame

All of the above epitome formats are used to produce a file that can be copied, saved and moved between different devices. This may be convenient in some respects, but security options are express and in that location's no way of knowing how many copies of an image are out there – and indeed, where these can be found.

The SmartFrame format is different. While a SmartFrame appears just like whatsoever other epitome online, the fact that it's being streamed ways that information technology'southward non possible to download it to a computer or another device. Every bit before long as the user closes the browser, the streamed SmartFrame vanishes from the page equally though it never existed.

The other major benefit of streaming the image is that you have complete control over where the SmartFrame can be viewed and how it tin be shared, with analytics on every interaction reported back to you.

You as well have the choice of calculation a raft of interactive elements, such equally the option to zoom into the epitome or view it in a total-screen way. You lot tin also have copyright messages displayed whenever anyone tries to download or screenshot your image, and buttons that direct people to your website or online shop. You tin can fifty-fifty cull to accept ads within your images to generate boosted revenue.

All of the above functionality can be enabled, disabled, and amended whenever you like, and updates will be applied instantly – regardless of where your images are online. Changed your watermark style? Spotted a typo in your caption? Want to allow people to share your SmartFrame on Facebook but rescind sharing options for Twitter? You can do information technology all in one place in a matter of seconds.

SmartFrame supports JPEG or TIFF files, with a maximum image size of 100MP – more than sufficient for online display. It's suitable for use in whatever environment online where yous would ordinarily employ a JPEG, although it needs to back up <scripts> every bit this is how the SmartFrame is embedded – otherwise a small, customizable thumbnail will be used in its identify, which links through to the original SmartFrame.

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Layers are not supported, as SmartFrames are not designed to be edited through layers, rather interactive elements. While SmartFrame does not currently back up PNG files, you tin safely convert these images to TIFF files before uploading to SmartFrame to avert whatsoever pinch artifacts that might result from converting to a JPEG. If you need to preserve alpha layers for graphics, nonetheless, you should continue to apply PNG files.

Good for:
Maximum security and interactive display online. Platonic for valuable images that are more than likely to exist stolen

Not and then expert for:
Wherever transparency layers in graphics are required

Sign up for a gratis SmartFrame account today

Converting images from one format to another

How do you convert images from 1 format to some other? And what should you call back about before you practice then?

Nosotros accept a await at some of the most popular conversions below, and the things you should bear in listen when moving from one to another.

PNG to JPG

Why convert a PNG to JPG?

The most probable reason why you would need to catechumen a PNG to a JPEG is that a platform or service you're using doesn't support PNG files.

What to retrieve near when converting from PNG to JPG

Similar JPEGs, PNG files are compressed as standard – although the mode in which this happens with PNGs is quite different.

PNGs use a grade of pinch known as lossless compression, whereas JPEG use lossy compression. And then what'due south the deviation? Whereas lossy pinch discards data when compressing files, and then attempts to use the remaining data to substantially fill in the blanks, lossless compression simply reorganizes the information for efficiency.

This means that images compressed with lossy compression stand up to remain higher in quality. Images that are compressed using lossy pinch stand up to endure from further artifacts as they are opened and airtight, which degrades the file over time.

The principal issue you're likely to encounter when converting PNG files to JPEGs is pinch. Heavily compressed JPEGs are likely to show a blocking issue where at that place is supposed to be a gradual modify in tone betwixt unlike areas.

Where graphics are involved, yous'll also tend to lose a piddling crispness in details, as the images higher up bear witness. These problems can be even more problematic when an epitome is uploaded to a social media site or somewhere else online, where additional compression tin take identify.

You may likewise see worse results with certain colours. PNG files with graphics that make heavy use of reds tin exist particularly problematic when converted to JPEG.

Neither PNG files nor JPEGs support layers, so there is no issue with losing any upon conversion.

JPG to PNG

Why catechumen from JPG to PNG?

Information technology's not that usual to convert from a JPEG to a PNG file, although there are good reasons for doing and then.

You may have found compression artifacts to be an issue with a JPEG posted online, and so converting it to a PNG file may maintain the prototype's quality. This is useful if the online platform in question supports both PNG and JPEG formats, although bear in heed that information technology may be discipline to compression of some sort equally you upload this (which you cannot command).

Not only does saving an image equally a PNG mean y'all'll be using lossless, rather than lossy, compression, simply you no longer have to the consequence of images degrading over time equally they are opened and saved over an over (as y'all practise with JPEGs).

It may also be the example that you have a photo that incorporates some sort of graphical element saved as a JPEG. In this case, you should consider saving the image every bit a PNG file to help maintain the quality of the graphics.

What to remember nigh when converting from JPG to PNG

Your file size is probable to be larger, and you won't exist able to employ information technology where PNG files are not supported.

PNG files likewise don't retain all the Exif metadata of JPEGs, which may be of import depending on how an image is used, although they tin store a full range (Cadre and Extension) of IPTC metadata.

TIFF to JPG

Why convert a TIFF to JPG?

There are a few reasons why you may want, or need, to convert an prototype from a TIFF file to a JPEG.

Probably the most common reason will be a lack of back up for the TIFF format. Many online portals and social media sites will not let a TIFF file to exist uploaded, but they will happily take a JPEG.

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The other issue concerns size. Although TIFF files tin can exist compressed, they are usually significantly larger than JPEGs in file size, peculiarly when saved with their layers intact. Even when these layers are flattened, the file size may however be over the threshold prepare by certain websites, and when sending electronic mail attachments.

Naturally, producing smaller files makes the JPEG far more suited to situations in which you demand to shop a number of images within a fixed amount of storage space, such equally on wink drives or cloud storage services with limited space.

What to call up about when converting from TIFF to JPG

TIFF and JPEG images are similar in the sense that they are designed to be the final format for an image, as opposed to a Raw file from a camera, or a PSD file, which you may want to revisit and re-edit.

For that reason, conversions are relatively straightforward and successful, especially when you save images on the highest-quality JPEG setting.

That said, the loss of layers is one thing you volition desire to think about when going from a TIFF to a JPEG. If yous demand to ship a finished image to a customer or someone else who may need to adjust layers, TIFF is the way to get.

Compression artifacts when moving from TIFF to JPEG are a concern too, although in many images this may only be a problem if the image itself contains large, flat areas with little detail, where these artifacts are more credible.

Another difference is that JPEGs can only be saved in a maximum 8-bit format (8 bits per color channel), whereas TIFF files can be saved in 16-flake per color aqueduct. This all the same means you have the potential for 256 values per red, green, and blueish color channel in JPEGs, which gives you around 16.7 million colors in full – incidentally, more than the human visual system can make out. Merely if you plan to make farther edits, saving images with the highest level of information is always desirable.

PSD to JPG

Why convert from PSD to JPG?

If you've edited your paradigm and you no longer need to continue these layers dissever, you may want to relieve the image every bit a JPEG or a TIFF file.

While it's a skillful idea to save it as a TIFF file to avoid pinch artifacts, if you demand information technology for an online press service, a social media folio, or anywhere else where a PSD is unlikely to be accepted, JPEG should work just fine.

What to think about when converting from PSD to JPG

JPEGs practise not support layers like PSD files, then while you're likely to end upwards with a smaller file than a PSD file, information technology won't be as flexible when y'all open it support in a programme like Photoshop.

JPG/TIFF to SmartFrame

The procedure of converting a JPEG or TIFF to a SmartFrame is straightforward: you lot just upload it to the SmartFrame Admin Console and information technology happens instantly.

It'due south non possible to convert an image to a SmartFrame in whatsoever other way, such as through Photoshop or a similar image-editing program.

Why convert from JPG/TIFF to SmartFrame?

There are many reasons you may want to use SmartFrames over JPEG or TIFF files online, although these tend to fall into one of iv categories: presentation, protection, insights, and monetization.

By converting your images to a SmartFrame, y'all tin allow people to zoom into them; take them display in full screen; add captions and links; and include interactive elements such every bit sharing icons and newsletter sign-up prompts.

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You can choose whether to have small JPEG thumbnails of your SmartFrames appear in search engine results and on social media platforms, and you can watermark these and gear up the size to the level of your choosing (and these link through to original SmartFrames).

You also benefit from correct-click and download protection, too equally screenshot-prevention technology and copyright warnings that appear whenever someone tries to steal your paradigm.

All interaction with your SmartFrame volition be fed dorsum to yous through the SmartFrame Admin Panel. Every click, share, embed, theft attempt and more is detailed in a written report that tin can be accessed whenever you need.

Finally, you lot can profit from your images in a number of ways. You can add a 'Buy Now' button that directs people to your online store, or let SmartFrame to serve ads within them. If you license your prototype, you lot also take full control and visibility over where that image is shared and embedded, and rescind this admission if you ever need to.

What to think about when converting JPG/TIFF to SmartFrame

SmartFrame supports images measuring upwardly to 50MB in size, with a maximum resolution of 100MP. This should be fine for most images, although particularly high-resolution TIFF files may exceed 50MB, and so consider saving with LZW compression first.

Sign upwards for a free SmartFrame business relationship today
 

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