What image file type should you use for your illustrations? A guide to image file formats
If you’re an aspiring illustrator, understanding image file formats should be at the top of the list of things you want to learn about.
You spend hours creating the perfect illustration and you have finally decided that it looks great.
You hit the export or save button and lo and behold, you’re made to choose among a bunch of file types you’ve never seen before!
What image file format should you save it in?
Make no mistake, if you’re a client requesting design files, you should know that too!
You know they should be saved as a PSD or AI file if you’re still working with it and want to edit it, but what format should you use when you’re done and want to upload it online?
It’s a common rookie mistake, actually.
Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a quick guide to the types of image files!
Why does the image file format matter so much?
Does it really matter? Won’t all of these formats upload the same online?
No. They actually won’t.
Every picture or graphic you see on the internet is an image file.
The majority of what you see printed on paper, plastic, or a t-shirt comes from an image file too.
These files come in various formats, each optimized for a specific purpose.
Using the right file format for each job makes sure that your design looks just how you want it to.
If the format is wrong, it might cause bad printing, a low-quality web image, a big file to download, or even a missing graphic in an email.
Understanding these formats will help you make informed decisions. Let’s explore different illustration formats and when to use each.
Vector file vs. raster file
Before we even get to save your files, let’s first understand if you have the right type of image for your intended use.
While you were creating your illustration, you might have come across the option to “rasterize” your image or a prompt telling you that you’re about to be working in “vectors.”
Do you know what they mean?
Raster format
Raster images are made up of pixels. These images are resolution-dependent, meaning they can lose quality when scaled up.
This means you have to pay attention to the resolution requirements of the project you’re working on; otherwise, you might end up with a blurry image when it’s stretched out.
They are often used for detailed images and photographs. Common formats include JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and PSD.
Vector format
Vector images are created using mathematical equations and not pixels. This allows them to be scaled infinitely without losing quality.
They’re often used for logos and illustrations that need to fit small business cards and also big billboards.
Common formats include SVG, AI, and EPS.
A common image file type: JPEG or JPG
The JPEG or Joint Photographic Experts Group, format is one of the most widely used image formats.
That’s because this pixel-based format lets you balance image quality with file sizes.
When done right, you can compress JPEG images to reduce the file size while maintaining the resolution when uploading to websites.
This is why it is widely supported and often used when uploading images online.
However, this format may not be the best for illustrations.
As you can tell from its name, this format is perfect for photographs and images with many colors and gradients.
It doesn’t support transparency either.
You’re better off using other formats for your illustrations.
The best image file format for transparency: PNG
The PNG, or Portable Network Graphics format, is the ideal format to use for illustrations. It handles images that require transparency or need to be high-quality without any loss.
Unlike the JPEG format, this can be saved multiple times without image degeneration.
It is often used for website graphics that need to have transparency, logos, illustrations, and other high-quality images.
A big con about this file type is that it has a larger file size and using several PNG images on your site can slow down its loading speed.
The image format for animations: GIF
The GIF, or Graphic Interchange Format, is best for simple graphics, animations, and images with a limited color palette.
You might not see this used around as much as it only supports 256 indexed colors and often comes in a larger file size.
It’s too inefficient for anything else unless you’re using it for basic animations.
They’re usually used for memes and tiny animated graphics.
Looking for a lossless type of image for printing? Go EPS!
The EPS, or Encapsulated PostScript format, is another vector format commonly used in professional design.
It’s ideal for graphics that need to be scaled up for printing, such as posters, banners, and billboards.
The lossless format allows you to print large-scale marketing materials and modern professional printers handle these files best.
A con of this format is that it comes in a larger file size and you can no longer edit it when you notice any mistakes in the file.
You will also need an app to view and edit these files.
The right image file for scalability: SVG
The SVG or Scalable Vector Graphics, is summed up by its name.
It’s a vector format that’s excellent for graphics that need to be scalable without losing quality.
If you want your logos, icons, and illustrations to look sharp no matter how much you scale them, this is the format to go for.
The con about SVG files is that they are actually made up of code.
The shapes, colors, and sizes are all made with mathematical equations (don’t ask me how; I’m a designer, not a mathematician).
This means you can’t upload them to websites the same way you would a JPG, PNG, or GIF file.
Instead, you copy and paste an SVG code into a code block.
You also need to use special programs to create vector-based illustrations so this comes with some extra learning to do.
Passing your files to an image editor? Use AI files!
AI is the native vector image file for Adobe Illustrator.
If you know you’ll have to tweak the designs a bit later on, you can use the AI file type directly, as long as it is compatible with the app you are using or if you’re using it within the Adobe ecosystem.
It comes as a vector file, which makes it convenient for scaling and it even allows for transparency like PNG files.
If you need the file in another format, you can also export it in a different format within Adobe Illustrator.
It’s perfect for creating detailed vector illustrations and is widely used as a standard format in the design industry.
Choosing the right one among the different types of image files
Now that we’ve covered the most common image formats, let’s discuss how to choose the right one for your project.
Web graphics
For web graphics, you preferably want a smaller file size while still retaining the quality of your image.
You will have to decide whether your image has to be transparent or if you need to scale it.
You can consider the following:
- JPEG: For photographs and detailed images where file size needs to be minimized.
- PNG: For images requiring transparency or high quality, like logos and icons.
- GIF: For simple animations and small icons.
- SVG: For scalable graphics like icons and logos.
We have a more in-depth guide with a cheat sheet for image sizes for web graphics in this guide:
➡️Website image size guidelines: The best image sizes for your website
Print graphics
For print graphics, vector image formats are usually preferred, as you have the option to scale them to different sizes and you’re not as limited with the image resolutions.
You can go for the following:
- AI: For detailed vector illustrations and complex designs (editable file).
- EPS: For scalable graphics like logos that need to be resized frequently.
However, you can still use a JPG or PNG format, depending on your printing setup.
You just have to pay attention to the image resolution or DPI, needed for the item you are printing on.
Social media
For social media, it’s similar to web graphics.
You’ll want a mix of quality and file size; however, you might be limited to the formats the platform accepts.
Some platforms don’t support GIFs and you can’t upload SVG files on social media.
You can stick to JPG and PNG and pay attention to the file size limits and ideal image sizes of the social media platforms you are using.
Still confused about social media graphics?
We go more in-depth about it in this guide:
➡️Best graphic design practices when creating social media graphics
Understanding the different image file types for your illustrations
Choosing the right image format to use is crucial for achieving the best results in your projects.
Each format has its strengths and weaknesses, and understanding these can help you make informed decisions.
Whether you’re working on a web design, print project, or social media campaign, using the appropriate format ensures that your images look their best and serve their intended purpose effectively.
Looking for some guides on different image sizes?
Here are some that could help you!
➡️Get your image sizes right: A guide to Facebook ad specs cheat sheet 2024
➡️Website image size guidelines: The best image sizes for your website
➡️Best graphic design practices when creating social media graphics
Need help with illustration files?
Deer Designer is here to provide you with high-quality designs tailored to your needs.
By using the right image formats, we ensure that your visuals are optimized for their specific use, helping your brand shine across all platforms.
Just send us your design requests and our professional designers will handle them for you!
Key takeaways
- Given that there are many image types you can choose to save your illustration as, it’s important to understand which is the best image format for your illustration’s intended use.
- Image files can either be raster or vector. Raster files are dependent on pixels, while vector images are infinitely scalable because they rely on a mathematical equation.
- JPG is the most common for web use as it offers great compression while retaining image quality.
- PNG images are great for images that need transparency.
- GIF images are only really ideal for animated images.
- EPS files are the format used for printing.
- SVG files are used for illustrations that need to be scaled up without losing quality.
- AI files can be used if you’re going to edit them later on or if you’re working within the Adobe ecosystem.
- Web graphics, printing, and social media have different image requirements, so it is best to double-check the image size and formats needed.
