When we open up a website page, what do we see? Text and a lot of graphics. Those graphics are image files. Apart from websites, every graphic we see printed on anything like a t-shirt, a mug or paper is an image file. Do you think the same image file can be used for all purposes like on websites and printing on plastic, t-shirt, or paper?
Images come in a variety of formats and each format has a specific use. An image format is might be a good one to use on a website but may give the worst results if the print on a t-shirt.
Image converters come into action at this point. These are specialized software that has the ability to convert any format into your desired format. This tool makes it possible for you to use one image file for different purposes.
If you like a picture on your t-shirt, on your coffee mug, on your website and your wallpaper, make it possible to convert images with these easy to use image converters.
Types of Image Formats
There are 2 main types of formats, Raster and Vector, and these formats are further divided into more types
Raster File Format and Its Types
Raster images are resolution-dependent and grids of dots that are called pixel make them. Each pixel has a different colour. Resizing raster images is a bit tricky as if you enlarge them, the pixels will be stretched and result in a poor-quality image, you can read more about this issue if needed.
JPEG/JPG
JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Expert Group and used widely for photos, emails, graphics and as banner ads. These are best to use if you are printing photos or artwork and must not be used if you need web graphics with transparency.
GIF
GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format and widely used for animated graphics like banner ads and social media memes. These are perfectly fine for web animation and can be placed on a coloured background. However, these don’t have photographic image quality and not suitable for printing.
PNG
PNG is a raster format and stands for Portable Network Graphics. PNG is considered as the next generation of GIF. You can use PNG if you need high-quality transparent web graphics and you are making illustration with limited colours. PNG format is not good for photos or artwork and cannot be used for printing purposes.
TIFF
The Tagged Image File Format is popular for its amazingly high quality and used for photography, however, don’t use it if you are working with web graphics.
Other examples of Raster format are PSD and RAW.
Vector File Formats
Vector graphics are digital artwork and created by intensive use of computer skills. These are formed by critically calculating points, lines and curves. Vector images are not dependant on graphics like raster images.
PDF is the most common example of vector images and the most widely used format. It works great for printing and to display documents on the web.
The other examples are EPS, SVG and AI.
