What file type do I need?
Common Files in Design:
At RaceD3, we care about our customers and providing them with the appropriate files for their project.
Whether its for an apparel, digital, or livery design, or simply viewing one of our detailed SEOreports, understanding the different file types is vital in today’s digital world. As previously mentioned,
A vector file is a type of graphic that uses mathematical algorithms to create lines and shapes, allowing it to be resized without loss of quality. Common types of vector files include .EPS, .AI, .SVG, and .PDF. These are commonly used in logos, or any graphic design needed in different sizes.
A raster file is composed of tiny squares or pixels that form an overall image. When these images are resized, especially when enlarged, the pixels become visible causing the image to lose its quality or look pixelated. Examples of raster files include .JPEG, .PNG, .GIF, .TIFF, and .BMP. They are typically used for photographs and digital artwork. Browse below for a more detailed description.
AI:
Adobe Illustrator Artwork files are primarily used for creating and editing vector-based drawings or graphics. These files are created and modified using Adobe Illustrator software.
BMP:
Bitmap Image file, is a raster graphics image file format used for storing digital images. It was invented by Microsoft for use on the Windows operating system. The BMP file format can store two-dimensional images, both monochrome and color, in various color depths. Unlike some other file types, BMP files do not typically have any form of compression and thus are typically much larger in file size.
EPS:
Encapsulated PostScript files are used for graphic files, drawings, and images. It can contain bitmap images, text, or vector graphics.
GIF:
Graphic Interchange Format files are ideal for low resolution images with few colors, like simple logos, or for animations. GIFs also support transparency and have smaller file sizes.
JPEG (or JPG):
This stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group. This file type is most commonly used for photographs or complex images as it supports a broad spectrum of colors. It uses lossy compression, which reduces the file size but can cause some loss in quality.
PDF:
Portable Document Format files are commonly used for digital document exchange and can include text, images, links, and even interactive buttons. They retain the formatting of the original file and can be viewed the same way across multiple devices.
PNG:
Stands for Portable Network Graphics. PNGs support transparency, making them perfect for designs with no background or to be used as layers in a design project. It is lossless, meaning it doesn't lose quality during compression.
PSD:
Photoshop Document files are layered image files used in Adobe Photoshop. They are great for keeping an ongoing editing process because you can work on each layer individually without affecting the other layers.
SVG:
Scalable Vector Graphics are often used for logos, icons, and other designs that need to be resized often. Unlike raster images like JPEGs or PNGs, SVGs use mathematical equations to create images, so they don't lose quality when scaled up or down.
TIFF:
Tagged Image File Format is often used for storing high-quality, high-resolution images, such as professional photography. TIFFs can be lossy or lossless depending on how they're saved.