File Types for Images: Uses and Best Practices

Have you ever hunkered down to work on a project, maybe something for social media, a presentation, or perhaps even a project ordering business tools or promotional items, and been asked to supply a JPEG, PNG or (here come the dreaded words…) a Vector file? Well because this is a regular part of our business and we are the people doing the asking, we already know the answer is, ABSOLUTELY!

It's without a doubt that at some stage in our lives, we have all been asked to upload a JPEG, PNG, or Vector file and sadly, it can be baffling if you are unfamiliar with the different file types.

The good news is you need not look any further to find the answers you need. We are here to help with any confusion, provide enlightenment and help direct you through what to use and when to use it so that you can make sure you have all that you need for your next project.

So, without any further ado, please read on for some of the boring details, dotted with all the “need to know” stuff too.

Common File Types and When to Use Them

When it comes to file types, some of the most common that you have most likely encountered are JEG, PNG, and GIF, in addition to SVG, EPS and AI files.

We won't even mention DST files yet, but we’ll circle back to that again before we’re through.

The easiest way to get to know file types is to understand that when working on any digital project, there are two distinct types of image file categories, raster, and vector.

All file types within these categories are built in different ways and are best suited to certain projects. With Raster files (JPEG, PNG and GIFs), images or graphics are composed of pixel grids that have a fixed resolution. It’s these pixels that determine the quality and clarity of an image as it increases and decreases in size.

If a raster file is increased in size, it has the potential to become distorted and can lose its integrity as all these file types are resolution dependant.

JPEG’s (Joint Photographic Experts Group) are compressed raster files that are typically used for photographs and images with a lot of colors or gradients. When you save a JPEG file, it compresses the file size, meaning some of the detail of the image is lost, but the file size is much smaller.

PNG’s (Portable Network Graphics) are also raster files and are often used for images with fewer colors, like icons and logos. PNG files can also be saved with a transparent background, which is useful when you want to place an image on top of a colored background. These files are also lossless, meaning that when you save a PNG image, no detail is lost, making them of slightly higher quality than a JPEG.

Raster Vs.Vector

So, what is the difference between a Raster and a Vector file then? Vector files such as SVG, EPS and AI files don’t use pixels at all. They are basically made up of mathematical equations with lines and curves which are used to create fixed grid points. This allows the image or graphic to be made infinitely larger or smaller without sacrificing the resolution, quality, and clarity of the image.

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files are a favourite for web designers because of their scalability and also because of the way they are written. They can essentially store text information, maintaining it as text rather than a shape. This is important when using them in website formats as they can potentially help a website move up in search rankings.

EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) and AI files are essentially the same things. Both are Vector files that allow for infinite scalability. An AI file simply means Adobe Illustrator and is Adobe’s proprietary file type for vector images. They are the most popular preference of graphic designers as they offer the most versatility and continuity for design projects.

In a Nutshell

In conclusion, JPEG files are good for photographs and images with a lot of colors, PNG files are used for images with fewer colors and can be saved with a transparent background, and Vector files are good for logos or illustrations because they can be scaled without losing quality.

So which one is the best to use for branding and promotional items? Well, that depends on what the item is and how you are branding it. Since the file type you use can affect the overall quality of the final product, the Ride Every Stride Team will always make sure that the correct file is chosen to ensure that the final design looks sharp and crisp, creating a professional and polished look for your branded promotional items.

What about a DST?

We did promise that we would circle back to the DST (Data Stitch Tajima) file that we previously mentioned as this one seems to cause the most confusion and uncertainty. Simply put, a DST file is a specific type of file that embroidery machines use in order to operate.

They contain a computer language that forms the stitches they create and contain digital instructions that tell an embroidery machine how to stitch a design. DST files can only be opened with specific software that is not standard equipment for modern Macs or PCs.

If you’ve had promotional products embroidered for you in the past, you may already own a DST file that is sufficient enough to be reused, however, sometimes they need a little extra help, stepping up to the task at hand.

Never fear though, team Ride Every Stride is here! Our team can create or update a DST file from your submitted graphic that will make your branded embroidered products beyond exceptional.

Now that you are armed with this newfound information, you should be right on track to make sure that you have a variety of file types in your portfolio for important business items including your logo. This way, you can easily produce what is needed regardless of the project for the best quality and quickest turnaround time.

For assistance with logo development, design projects, file types, or branding, don’t hesitate to reach out to us and our team can help with whatever you need.

You can find us at info@rideeverystride.com or contact us via www.rideeverystride.com.

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Until next time...