The difference between file types
Once you receive all the file types from your designer, it can be confusing which ones to use, and what to send to a printers, or upload online. Here is a quick guide to each file type that you might receive.
RASTER FILES
Raster files are made up of small dotes and once you make them bigger than the original size it becomes blurry/pixelated.
JPG
These cannot be transparent. For example, if it is saved with a white background, that background will always show. Used for photos, but also files with backgrounds f.ex for Facebook cover & profile photos.
When saving images for your website, social media, or anything online it is usually best to use a JPG and make sure it’s the exact size you require, and the lowest quality before it starts looking pixelated. This is to allow your website to load faster.
PNG
These support transparency. When saved without a background, this will be transparent.
For example for your logo, you can add it on top of an image and only the logo will show.
In order to make sure people know it’s your photo, add your logo to the corner of your shared images. You can also add your website link or name written at the bottom.
VECTOR FILES
Vector files can be made bigger and not lose the quality and always stay smooth.
EPS
Can be scaled as large as possible
Used mainly for printing files - posters, t-shirts. Logos & illustrations. Always ask your printer what they prefer it in.
Used mainly for text documents.
If you use Microsoft Word, Pages, or any other program, add the pdf or eps logo. This makes the logo look crisp and not lose its quality.
Send these files to printers for business cards, flyers, documents f.ex. Unless they tell you, always send pdfs to printers and make sure the image is of good quality.
If you want to send a text document to others, send as pdf since it will keep the font, logo, and styling, unlike Word which unless they have the font it will automatically change it to a default font.
Ai
These are the original working files when designers create them. It’s a design program called Adobe illustrator.
