Which png format to use

With multiple options to save or export your images, the decision can seem complicated. Fear not! This post will cover two of the most popular file format options, JPG vs.

PNG, including when to use them and why. First, what type of image is it? Is it a casual picture of your dog, or a detailed graphic with a professional purpose? Second, how do you plan to use this image? Will it be published on a company website? Or, will it be for your own personal use? The quality of your images on social media, websites, blogs, and presentations influences the perception of your brand — as well as load time and site performance.

Knowing which file format to use when will keep your images looking their best and optimize the performance of your digital content. Lossy vs. A lossless compression means that all of the data associated with the original file remains intact and can be accessed. A lossy compression reduces the file data permanently, eliminating certain — typically redundant — information to save on file size. Once compressed, the reduced information cannot be recovered, but this information loss is usually not detected by most users.

Raster images A raster file is composed of pixels, or tiny dots, that come together to form an image. The more pixels, the better the quality of the image in its original size or larger versions. However, the more pixels, the larger the file size and the more space it will require to store. Vector graphics Vector graphics , also known as scalable vector graphics SVGs , are graphics consisting of anchored dots connected by lines and curves.

Unlike images made of pixels, vector graphics are not resolution independent and can be scaled up and down without a loss in quality or details. A PNG, or portable network graphic , is a raster file that supports lossless compression. Its transparent background allows it to be embedded into other images or graphics without additional editing steps. This higher-resolution format delivers higher-quality images and clearer text, but the larger file size can slow down website performance and document load times.

Choose a PNG format when you need a smaller file that maintains its original quality. They are commonly used for websites and are supported by all major browsers and operating systems. If you do land on using a PNG, consider looking for an online tool like tinypng.

A GIF, or graphics interchange format , is a lossless raster file format that can be exported in many highly-customizable settings to cut down on the file size. Made popular in the early days of the web, the GIF format was commonly used because of its ability to compress images into very small file sizes. With compression techniques that limit GIFs to colors, their file size makes for fast-loading visuals.

Additionally, a GIF can have transparency but may leave a white outline on colored backgrounds. Our newsletter is for everyone who loves design! Let us know if you're a freelance designer or not so we can share the most relevant content for you. By completing this form, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Designers, check out these contests so you can start building your career. Get a design. Photos provided by author. CMYK — by Owley. No compression.

High compression. Trauby mascot by ktoons. Logo design by spoon design. Oakland poster by Martis Lupus. Yoga poster by Trisixtin for yogawithleo. Want to find a designer who can create all the right file types? Our designers can do that! Find a designer. You're in! You proved us right again.

Our newsletter is only for the coolest kids. Get ready for amazing stuff in your inbox. Looks like something went wrong. GIF format. But elements like solid color buttons or banners are ideal as these will usually load faster than the. PNG version, while keeping all the cool features like transparencies and preserving hard edges. Another awesome feature that only. GIFs can utilize is animation. Want to learn more how-tos around digital design? Check out our Learning Center for more blogs, articles, and guides that can help inform your strategy.

Which image format should you be using in your digital design? PNG The.