File Types and Their Uses
When working with
a printShould
or electronic
designer(electronic
designers
design
things to be displayed on
What
You
Get From Your
Logo
Designer
a monitor, TV, etc), one may encounter the need to work with the designer by providing them with mulfiles.
There
are a
many
different
of digital
but they fit
into
twoformat
categories,
Moretiple
oftentypes
thanofnot
when
asking
client
for theirtypes
current
logo, I files
am provided
with
a file
that isbitmap
less than
and
vector.
It
will
benefit
those
in
collaboration
with
the
designer
to
know
the
common
file
types.
Once
desirable for the project or situation.
one understands the differences, identifying (by simply analyzing the file suffix: .png, .jpg, etc) the files
a designer
may
from
you
becomes
easyboth
andinstances
time is saved
because
the designer
will
not need to to
Although
this can
be need
argued
both
ways,
I’ve seen
where
it was logo
designers
responsibility
explain
the
file
types.
provide the proper deliverables or the client was using an improper method of creating their logo.
Below is a list of deliverables you should be giving your clients and what clients should be getting from their logo
Bitmap Files
designer.
WhatBMP
should you get: File formats
The BMP
(Bitmap)
fileformats
type is to
theyour
most
basicwill
of digital
images.
This file
type can
be long
usedterm,
by print
Delivering
a variety
of file
clients
not only
leave them
satisfied
in the
butand
any
electronic
designers.
designer
who follows
you will also be greatful.
Bitmap
also
a broad
term
describing
image
up of
(small
square
dotslogo
thatinto
canabe
Whether
you is
are
printing
high
quality,
addingany
a logo
to amade
website,
orpixels
inserting
your
company
Word
viewedthere
on any
type).
It can bethat
used
for electronic
design
it must be converted for use in print
document,
arescreen
various
file formats
should
be used over
thebut
other.
materials. Most of the file types discussed below are BMP files.
1. EPS
TIFF
An EPS file, or Encapsulated PostScript file, is a versatile vector format of your logo. In other words, you can resize
The TIFF
(Tagged
Image
File Format)
filecompromising
is the optimalthe
bitmap
fileoftype
printing but is far too large for
your logo
as big
or small
as needed
without
quality
thefor
logo.
the web. Although, one will not usually have possession of this file type because it is usually the designercompatible
who createsinita–large
the designer
willprograms
create this
other
files
using elements
a programdue
thattocan
manipEPS is
number of
andfile
is type
greatfrom
for use
with
printed
its high
quality.
ulate bitmap images, usually Adobe Photoshop. When the TIFF file is etched onto a printing plate (a flat
piece
of vinylfor?
or aluminum that transfers ink to the paper), the printing plate will more accurately print
What’s
it suitable
the digital image.
Business cards
PSD
Brochures
Advertisements
The PSDthat
(Adobe
is aquality
file that can be used for print but cannot be used for the web.
…anything
will Photoshop)
be printed offile
high
Although, one can convert Photoshop files into many different bitmap file types that can be put on the
web.
Also,
2. JPG
and
GIFamazingly if there are paths (2D lines) created within the Photoshop file, one can even export
a vector file.
Although it cannot be scaled to a desired size like that of an EPS, JPGs and GIFs are great and preferred for
JPEG
internet
use. Due to their smaller file size, they load faster on the web and still look ‘sharp’ to the eye when viewed
on a computer monitor. I tend to create these files a little larger than most so my clients are able to downsize as
The JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is a used very often on the web but should not be used for
needed.
print (although it can be converted to a print friendly format), due to a lack of necessary data needed to
create
an accurate
What’s
it suitable
for? printing plate from the JPEG – what the photo looks like on the computer screen will
not look the same when printed.
Websites
Online Ads and Banners
Email marketing and signatures
1
anything ‘web-related’
2495 Main Street, Suite 454 • Buffalo, NY • (716) 332-4369 • www.marketingtechonline.com
3. TIFF
A TIFF, or Tagged Image File Format,File
is a widely
supported
format that
works in just about any program. A TIFF
Types
andfileTheir
Uses
is of higher quality than JPG or GIF, but not vector-formatted like an EPS.
When working with a print or electronic designer(electronic designers design things to be displayed on
Typically
when sending
to clients
I try to
create
at awith
larger
so if needed
they them
can resize
down or
a monitor,
TV, etc),TIFFs
one may
encounter
the
needthem
to work
thesize,
designer
by providing
with mulstay with
larger
size There
for more
tiplethe
types
of files.
areversatility.
many different types of digital files but they fit into two categories, bitmap
and vector. It will benefit those in collaboration with the designer to know the common file types. Once
In certain
cases, thesethe
candifferences,
also be used
for higher(by
quality
prints,
granted
were created
at etc)
300the
dpi files
and don’t
one understands
identifying
simply
analyzing
thethey
file suffix:
.png, .jpg,
needatodesigner
resized larger
thanfrom
delivered.
may need
you becomes easy and time is saved because the designer will not need to
explain the file types.
What’s it suitable for?
Microsoft
BitmapOffice
Filesprograms
Standard printing for common use (ie. invoices, letterheads, etc.)
BMP
4. Full Color
The BMP (Bitmap) file type is the most basic of digital images. This file type can be used by print and
This should
need
no explanation, but provide your clients with a full colored, CMYK file for the printed file formats
electronic
designers.
(EPS, TIFF) and RGB for the web formats (JPG, GIF). This way they don’t experience strange color issues when
printing
and will
save
them money
with their any
printers.
Bitmap
is also
a broad
term describing
image made up of pixels (small square dots that can be
Blackviewed
and Reversed
Logos
on any screen type). It can be used for electronic design but it must be converted for use in print
materials. Most of the file types discussed below are BMP files.
A well designed logo should not only work in color but also in black and white (reversed-out) versions.
TIFF
Make certain to convert your in-color logos to both black and reversed-out so your clients logo can work in ANY
situation.
Trust(Tagged
me theyImage
will love
for this
Foroptimal
the most
part Ifile
willtype
create
a color, black
white
version
The TIFF
Fileyou
Format)
fileone!
is the
bitmap
for printing
but is and
far too
large
for in
each the
of the
first
4
file
formats.
web. Although, one will not usually have possession of this file type because it is usually the design-
er who creates it – the designer will create this file type from other files using a program that can manip5. Favicon
/ iPhone
/ iPad
icons
ulate bitmap
images,
usually
Adobe Photoshop. When the TIFF file is etched onto a printing plate (a flat
piece of vinyl or aluminum that transfers ink to the paper), the printing plate will more accurately print
Manythe
designers
I’ve questioned do not do this, but I’ve always felt like it added a nice touch to my logo services —
digital image.
something that makes me different from the next guy.
PSD
A favicon, or “little logo” that appears in the corner of the address bar in a web browser, is a great way to
compliment
logoPhotoshop)
on the web.file
It only
a few
(in most
instances)
andthe
your
clients will be
The PSDtheir
(Adobe
is a takes
file that
can minutes
be used to
forcreate
print but
cannot
be used for
web.
thrilled
when they
miniature
logo on
Also, with
the file
risetypes
of mobile
browsing
a iPhone
Although,
onesee
cantheir
convert
Photoshop
filestheir
intowebpage.
many different
bitmap
that can
be puthave
on the
and iPad
optimized
icon
is
a
nice
touch
as
well.
web. Also, amazingly if there are paths (2D lines) created within the Photoshop file, one can even export
a vector file.
JPEG
The JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is a used very often on the web but should not be used for
print (although it can be converted to a print friendly format), due to a lack of necessary data needed to
create an accurate printing plate from the JPEG – what the photo looks like on the computer screen will
not look the same when printed.
1
2495 Main Street, Suite 454 • Buffalo, NY • (716) 332-4369 • www.marketingtechonline.com