---
title: Simplifying Types of Files
description: <p>Following my first post on color, we're going to now tackle file types. There are a lot of different types of files to choose from and it can be just as confusing as color. Here's a brief summary of the most common file types.</p>
---

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# [Simplifying Types of Files](https://www.fishhook.us/articles/simplifying-types-of-files)

 Written by [Megan Cook](https://www.fishhook.us/articles/author/megan-cook) | February 28, 2012

Following my first post on [color](https://www.fishhook.us/articles/simplifying-types-of-files?hs_amp=true#), we're going to now tackle file types. There are a lot of different types of files to choose from and it can be just as confusing as color. Here's a brief summary of the most common file types. 

### Best Of Listing

- Best for Web and Electronic Use: JPEGs
- Best for Web, Electronic Use and Microsoft Applications: PNGs
- Best for Printing: EPS

### Alphabetical Listing

**BMP (Windows Bitmap)**

- STRENGTHS: Makes images great for use in Microsoft Windows OS.
- WEAKNESSES: Too large to use online for images; Only optimal for Windows programs and not other programs.

**  
EPS (Encapsulated Postscript)**

- STRENGTHS: Editable, original artwork (vector image) file; Can be reduced and enlarged without any loss of quality; Best option for printing.  
- WEAKNESSES: Can only be opened in specific graphic design software (such as Adobe Illustrator and Adobe InDesign); Not made for online use.

**  
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)**

- STRENGTHS: Compresses to a small file size; Retains sharp lines and text; Can be transparent; Can be animated; Good for diagrams, simple shapes, and some logos (only images that use very few colors).
- WEAKNESSES: Can only show a limited amount of colors; Not always accurate in representing imagery (because of color limitations).

**  
JPEG (or JPG - Joint Photographic Experts Group)**

- STRENGTHS: Can display many colors; Great for photographs; Compresses to a small file size; Best file type for online images.
- WEAKNESSES: Cannot display lines or text very well—they appear fuzzy; Cannot be made larger once saved to a specific size (the file will loose detail and look pixelated).

**  
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)**

- STRENGTHS: Can display many colors; Retains sharp edges (in text and lines); Great for photos and illustrations; Compresses to a small file size; Looks great in online applications; Can be transparent; Good compromise between the JPG and GIF file types.
- WEAKNESSES: Not compatible with all online applications (if the viewer is using a program that doesn't support PNG files—anything older than Internet Explorer 6—they cannot see the file).

**  
TIFF (**Tagged Image File Format)****

- STRENGTHS: Similar to a JPEG but more detailed; Will not loose any color detail or size when compressed; Usually the file type created by scanners when scanning images/papers; Good for printing highly detailed images.
- WEAKNESSES: Files are very large in order to retain color detail and size; Not great for online use because of the file size.

Next up: Simplifying Typefaces!

[View full post](https://www.fishhook.us/articles/simplifying-types-of-files)

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