Here at m design, we work on many types of projects, and that means we use a variety of file formats. If you are not used to working with designers, you may not be familiar with these assets. That’s totally fine! This blog post will teach you about the most common file formats used in graphic design.
Raster VS Vector Files
Before we get into specific file types, we should establish the difference between raster and vector files.
Raster files are made up of a grid of pixels (or dots) that collectively create an image. One of the issues with raster files (like photographs) is that, when scaled up, the pixels become too large which can make the image look grainy or blurry.
Vector files, on the other hand, are comprised of scalable paths. This means that the files can be enlarged to any size without even a hint of clarity loss. Logos are always created as vector art.
Common File Formats in Graphic Design
Raster File Formats
.jpg (Joint Photographic Experts Group)
A .jpg file is a photographic file format that offers a decent amount of quality for a small file size. It is a flat image and has a background.
.png (Portable Network Graphics)
This is the go-to format for online images. The distinguishing feature here is that there is a transparent background, unlike a .jpg.
.gif (Graphics Interchange Format)
A .gif file is specifically for online use. It is known for the ability to be animated and is generally
lower quality.
.psd (Adobe Photoshop Program File)
This is simply a raster file that was created or saved in Photoshop. It contains multiple layers and can be easily edited. A .psd is usually a work in progress that, when completed, will be flattened and saved in another format.
.tiff (Tagged Image File Format)
This raster file type uses no compression, meaning the file size is generally quite large. This means that the images are high quality and ideal for printing.
.pdf (Portable Document Format)
.pdf files can actually contain a combination of raster and vector files. This format is very common when attempting to display several graphic alternatives at the same time without a loss in quality or convenience.
Vector File Formats
.ai (Adobe Illustrator Program File)
This is simply a file type supported by Adobe Illustrator. The vector art created in this program is scalable without detail loss, making it the perfect choice for logos.
.eps (Encapsulated Postscript)
While .ai files require Adobe Illustrator to open, .eps files are not tied to a specific software. You can essentially view .eps files as a non-proprietary alternative to .ai files.
Work with Professional Graphic Designers at m design
m design utilizes smart, sophisticated graphic design to elevate your business. To learn more about our broad range of design services, visit our website or give us a call at (410) 728-5007.