The most important file formats and their use

Do you sometimes get the impression that file formats are a dime a dozen? Have you already lost track and occasionally wonder why a customer or service provider insists on sending a certain file format? What is the difference between JPG, PDF, AI, EPS and SVG?

To shed some light on the subject, I would like to explain the differences and areas of application of the most common file formats. Each file format has individual properties, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

In general, all files can be divided into these two categories:

Vector and pixel-based graphics

Vector graphics consist of shapes (lines, circles, curves, polygons) that are based on mathematically calculated paths. A vector graphic can therefore be scaled as required without any loss of quality.

Common vector formats: AI AI (Adobe Illustrator Format) Adobe vector format (VECTOR) The AI is Adobe's in-house vector format and is mainly used to create and edit vector graphics. Logos, icons and graphics are created in Illustrator. AI files can only be edited (and opened) in Illustrator. However, (almost) any file format can be exported from an AI file. AI's can be scaled at... | EPS EPS (Encapsulated PostScript Format) Most commonly used vector file format (VECTOR) The EPS is an independent file format that can be opened in several programs. Although it can contain image and vector elements, it is widely used as a file format for distributing vector files. Like AI files, EPS files can be scaled as required. APPLICATION: Vector graphics such as... | PDF PDF (Portable Document Format) File format for documents (VECTOR) The PDF can contain images as well as text and graphics and is the most commonly used file format for exchanging documents. It can also contain several pages, and interactive elements and fonts can also be embedded. MISSION: digital media, web, popular format for transferring data to the print shop | SVG SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) Scalable vector graphic (for online media) (VECTOR) The SVG is particularly suitable for displaying vector graphics on the Internet (e.g. your logo in the website header). It is rescaled every time a page is accessed - whether desktop, tablet or phone), output in the best possible size and resolution and is therefore never pixelated! Transparencies are...

Pixel graphics consist of a network or grid of points. Each individual point is assigned a color. Compared to vector graphics, pixel graphics are dependent on a size and resolution. If you scale the image, you scale the pixels themselves. This can lead to a so-called “pixelated”, i.e. blurred, resolution.

Common pixel formats: JPG JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) file format for image files (PIXEL GRAPHICS ) The JPG is probably the best-known file format and can be opened and viewed in many different programs. It is also the most popular format for images on the web because the file size is relatively small. However, this is achieved through lossy compression. USE: digital media,... | TIFF TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) High quality image format (for printing) (PIXEL) The TIFF or TIF is a lossless image format. In contrast to JPG, TIFF data can be decompressed without loss of quality. The TIFF is therefore suitable for exchanging image data and transferring data to printing companies. TIFF images generally have a larger data volume than JPG images.... | PNG PNG (Portable Network Graphics) Transparent file format for online applications (PIXEL) The PNG is a file format that is mainly used in digital media. In contrast to the JPG, a PNG can be saved with a transparent background. It is therefore possible to place a PNG over an image or to deposit it with any colored area. The PNG is... | GIF GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) File format for small animations (PIXEL) Several images can be saved at once or one after the other in a GIF file. This creates small animations that are only suitable for display on the web. Transparencies are also possible here, the file size is small.
MISSION: digital media, web | PSD PSD (Adobe Photoshop)Image processing format from Adobe (PIXEL) Adobe Photoshop is a pixel-based image editing program. A PSD file can only be opened in Photoshop. The PSD is popular for editing photos and creating image data for the web. A PSD file can consist of several layers, paths and masks. MISSION: Editing / scaling of images, creation of web graphics,...

I would like to make a further subdivision and divide the file types into

End user formats and professional formats . Virtually anyone can open the end user files on their Mac or PC in an unspecific program, while the professional data can only be opened in a special and usually licensed program.

END-USER FORMATS:

jpg JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) file format for image files (PIXEL GRAPHICS ) The JPG is probably the best-known file format and can be opened and viewed in many different programs. It is also the most popular format for images on the web because the file size is relatively small. However, this is achieved through lossy compression. USE: digital media,... | png PNG (Portable Network Graphics) Transparent file format for online applications (PIXEL) The PNG is a file format that is mainly used in digital media. In contrast to the JPG, a PNG can be saved with a transparent background. It is therefore possible to place a PNG over an image or to deposit it with any colored area. The PNG is... | gif GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) File format for small animations (PIXEL) Several images can be saved at once or one after the other in a GIF file. This creates small animations that are only suitable for display on the web. Transparencies are also possible here, the file size is small.
MISSION: digital media, web | svg SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) Scalable vector graphic (for online media) (VECTOR) The SVG is particularly suitable for displaying vector graphics on the Internet (e.g. your logo in the website header). It is rescaled every time a page is accessed - whether desktop, tablet or phone), output in the best possible size and resolution and is therefore never pixelated! Transparencies are... | pdf PDF (Portable Document Format) File format for documents (VECTOR) The PDF can contain images as well as text and graphics and is the most commonly used file format for exchanging documents. It can also contain several pages, and interactive elements and fonts can also be embedded. MISSION: digital media, web, popular format for transferring data to the print shop

PROFI-FORMATES:

Vector: ai AI (Adobe Illustrator Format) Adobe vector format (VECTOR) The AI is Adobe's in-house vector format and is mainly used to create and edit vector graphics. Logos, icons and graphics are created in Illustrator. AI files can only be edited (and opened) in Illustrator. However, (almost) any file format can be exported from an AI file. AI's can be scaled at... | eps EPS (Encapsulated PostScript Format) Most commonly used vector file format (VECTOR) The EPS is an independent file format that can be opened in several programs. Although it can contain image and vector elements, it is widely used as a file format for distributing vector files. Like AI files, EPS files can be scaled as required. APPLICATION: Vector graphics such as...

Image processing: psd PSD (Adobe Photoshop)Image processing format from Adobe (PIXEL) Adobe Photoshop is a pixel-based image editing program. A PSD file can only be opened in Photoshop. The PSD is popular for editing photos and creating image data for the web. A PSD file can consist of several layers, paths and masks. MISSION: Editing / scaling of images, creation of web graphics,... | tiff TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) High quality image format (for printing) (PIXEL) The TIFF or TIF is a lossless image format. In contrast to JPG, TIFF data can be decompressed without loss of quality. The TIFF is therefore suitable for exchanging image data and transferring data to printing companies. TIFF images generally have a larger data volume than JPG images....

Layout: idd IDD (and IDML) (Adobe InDesign)Layout program from AdobeInDesign is a layout program that is mainly used to create advertising materials such as flyers, posters, brochures and for typesetting magazines or books. INDD files can only be opened and edited in InDesign, but PSD and AI files can be used there without any problems. Print files are exported from InDesign as...

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