PNG, PDF, SVG, Now We Know Our ABC’s
If files and digital work is not your thing all these acronyms can be confusing. How do you know which ones to use? What is a PDF? This can feel overwhelming so here is breakdown to make sure you know what file types will give you the best quality for your intended applications.
I automatically provide a PNG, PNG NOBCKG & SVG NOBCKG with all my file sets. Other files types can be provided upon request.
JPEG (or JPG)
Common Use: Great for photos and web graphics with lots of colors.
Best For: Sharing vibrant images online.
PNG
Common Use: Perfect for web graphics needing transparent backgrounds.
Best For: Adding logos or illustrations to websites.
GIF
Common Use: Fun for short animations or simple graphics.
Best For: Sharing animated memes or quirky website elements.
SVG
When looking to print your design on products or scale up your image for signs an SVG is the way to go. This is a high resolution image that can be adjusted for all applications without losing quality.
Common Use: Ideal for scalable graphics like logos and icons, Shirts, Banners.
Best For: Making sure your graphics look crisp at any size on websites or apps.
(Send these file types to print shops for best quality)
Common Use: Versatile format for sharing documents while preserving layout.
Best For: Sharing forms, brochures, or eBooks with others.
(Send these file types to print shops for best quality)
Adobe Illustrator
Common Use: Used for creating and editing vector graphics.
Best For: Designing logos, illustrations, and other graphics that need to be edited later.
No Background (NOBCKG)
NOBCKG can be achieved with PNG & SVG file types. A PNG with No Background (also known as transparency) will read PNG NOBCKG in the file description or title.
A PNG with transparency allows the background to be see-through, revealing whatever is behind it when placed on a web page, document, or graphic design.
Common Use: Watermarks, Branding content on Websites & Social Media, Print Materials, and Merchandise.
Best For: Professionalism, Enhanced Aesthetics, Improved Readability, and Alignment with modern design trends
Each file type has its own strengths, so choosing the right one depends on how you plan to use your design and where you'll be sharing it
