Oftentimes, graphic designers and artists face the situation of choosing a particular image format. Since there are varied options for it, it might be a little confusing to make the right decision. However, this guide is the answer to all your queries. Here, we are going to talk about the best common image formats that you can utilize. Apart from that, we will also offer you some tips that can aid you in selecting the right format for your needs.
The common image formats mentioned here are widely used by the creative artists for their photography and designing projects. Some of them might also be familiar to you. So, go through the whole list thoroughly and decide the one best for you.
Extension: .gif
Browser Compatibility: Internet explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera
Specialty: animated banners, memes.
Compression: Lossless
Image File Extensions: .jpg, .jpeg, .jfif, .pjpeg, .pjp
Browser Compatibility: Internet explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera
Specialty: Easy web uploading, shared on social media platforms, supports printing, taking camera snaps
Compression: Lossy
Extension: .png
Browser Compatibility: Internet explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera
Specialty: screen optimization, web usage.
Compression: Lossless
Image File Extensions: .raw, .cr2, .nef, .orf, .sr2, etc.
Browser Compatibility: Internet explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera
Specialty: Photography,
Compression: None
Extension: .bmp
Browser Compatibility: Internet explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera
Specialty: Archived copies, high-quality scanning.
Compression: None
Image File Extensions: .tif, .tiff
Browser Compatibility: Safari, Edge, Opera
Specialty: high-end graphics, image archival, photo editing.
Compression: Lossless
Extension: .psd
Browser Compatibility: Chrome, Firefox, Opera
Specialty: image editing, printing, digital Photoshop projects .
Compression: None
Extension: .pdf
Browser Compatibility: Internet explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera
Specialty: documents, graphics, printing.
Compression: Lossless
Extension: .eps
Browser Compatibility: Safari
Specialty: logo, illustration, icon, vector artwork.
Compression: None
Extension: .svg
Browser Compatibility: Internet explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Opera
Specialty: 3D software importing, responsive web designs.
Compression: Lossless
While choosing the right image file types, you first need to identify the reasons why you are using it. Identifying them will help you in making the best decision for your needs. Apart from the given reasons, you can also consider other things such as the type of picture quality, size, space, time of opening or uploading, etc.However, you do not have to worry since the selection process is a bit easier as compared to selecting the video formats.
Reason 1: Pictures
In this case, you need to choose the formats with lossy compression. For instance, JPEG and WebP. The former will offer more compatibility while the latter will provide compression. You can also use both for minimizing the download time and improving the quality. However, make sure that WebP is your first choice.
Reason 2: Screenshots
With screenshots, you should not compromise on the image quality, which is why you need to use a lossless image format. PNG can be the best choice for screenshots. However, if you are looking for better compression, then you can choose WebP. The former can be utilized if there are texts present on the screenshot since they are more likely to go blur.
Reason 3: Icons
Since icons are smaller in size, choosing the wrong picture format will result in the loss of details. That is why go for a lossless format like WebP in this case. However, if you are facing problems with support, then PNG will be a good choice only if you are not offering a fallback. Consider choosing GIF, if the icons have less than 256 colors in it.
Reason 4: Diagrams, charts, or drawings
Diagrams, charts, or drawings are usually represented in the form of vector graphics. That is why your best bet, in this case, would be SVG. Alternatively, you can also use a lossless file type such as PNG. However, if you are going for a lossy format like WebP or JPEG, make sure to keep the compression level in check to prevent the texts or shapes from getting blurred.
Hope that the blog post was useful enough to clear your doubts regarding the common image formats and how to choose the best one according to your needs. We do understand that it can be a bit overwhelming sometimes. However, you need to have a strong understanding of the various image formats if you wish to utilize it correctly. Besides, think about the benefits you can achieve with its help. With the increasing competition in the creative domain, the more you are aware of these tiny details, the more it will be helpful for your projects. So, utilize this post to the maximum to get outstanding results for your purpose.
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