If you’re sending a file to a print shop, you need to make sure you’re sending the right type of file. The most common types of files for printing are PDFs, JPEGs, and TIFFs. But which one is the best to use? Here’s a quick overview of each file type and when you should use it.
What is a file type?
A file type is a format for storing data. Different file types can store different types of data, and some file types can be opened in different programs. For example, you can open a PDF in Adobe Reader or in Apple’s Preview.
PDF File Type
PDFs are the most common type of file for printing. They’re easy to create and can be opened on any computer. PDFs are also great because they maintain the original formatting of your document, no matter where it’s printed. That means your margins will always be the same and your text will never get jumbled.
What is a PDF?
PDF stands for Portable Document Format. PDFs are created by Adobe Acrobat and can be viewed in any PDF viewer. PDFs are great for printing because they keep the formatting of the document intact, no matter what printer is used. That means that your document will look the same on a desktop printer as it does on a professional print shop’s printer.
JPEG File Type
JPEGs are also a common file type for printing. They’re usually smaller than PDFs, so they’re great for emailing or posting online. JPEGs are also ideal for photos or images that will be printed at a high resolution. When saving a JPEG for print, make sure the quality is set to at least 300 DPI (dots per inch). Anything less than that and your print might look blurry or pixilated.
What are JPEGs?
JPEGs are a type of image file. They can be opened in most photo editing programs, like Adobe Photoshop or Apple’s Preview. JPEGs are usually smaller than PDFs, so they’re great for emailing or posting online. When saving a JPEG for print, make sure the quality is set to at least 300 DPI (dots per inch). Anything less than that and your print might look blurry or pixilated.
TIFF File Type
TIFFs are normally used for high-quality prints, like photographs. They don’t compress like JPEGS, so they maintain their quality at any size. That makes them great for enlargements or prints that need to be extremely detailed. However, TIFF files can be quite large, so they’re not always practical for emailing or posting online.
What are TIFFs?
TIFFs are a type of image file. They can be opened in most photo editing programs, like Adobe Photoshop or Apple’s Preview. TIFFs are usually used for high-quality prints, like photographs. They don’t compress like JPEGS, so they maintain their quality at any size. That makes them great for enlargements or prints that need to be extremely detailed. However, TIFF files can be quite large, so they’re not always practical for emailing or posting online.
So, which file type should you send for print? It depends on what you’re printing and how you want it to look. For the majority of projects, PDFs are going to be the best option. They maintain your formatting and can be opened on any computer. But if you’re working with photos or images, JPEGS or TIFFs might be better options. Just remember to set the quality to at least 300 DPI before you print!
Ready to have Zipp Printing work some printing magic for you? Get in touch with us so we can help you send the right file for print.