Which Image Format Is Best for Printing? JPEG, TIFF, PNG, or PDF?

Format Comparison for Print

Format	Quality	File Size	Best For
TIFF	Lossless, highest	Very large	Professional/commercial print
PNG	Lossless	Large	Graphics with transparency
JPEG (95%+)	Near-lossless	Medium	Photo prints, home printing
JPEG (75-85%)	Good	Small	Casual prints, proofs
PDF	Preserves layout	Medium	Documents with text+images

When to Use Each

TIFF

• Commercial print shops
• Fine art reproduction
• When the printer specifically requests TIFF
• Archival quality masters

PNG

• Graphics with transparency
• Text-heavy images (sharper than JPEG)
• When lossless quality is needed but TIFF is overkill

JPEG (High Quality)

• Photo prints at home or at a print shop
• When file size matters (email, upload)
• When TIFF is not accepted

PDF

• Documents combining text and images
• Posters and flyers with text overlays
• When exact layout reproduction is critical

Resolution for Print

Regardless of format, resolution matters most:

• 300 DPI: Standard for professional print
• 150 DPI: Acceptable for larger prints viewed from distance
• 72 DPI: Screen only — will look pixelated when printed

Pre-Print Checklist

1. Resolution at least 300 DPI at print size
2. Color mode: CMYK for commercial, sRGB for home
3. Bleed area: Add 3mm bleed for commercial printing
4. Format: As specified by your printer
5. Proof: Always order a test print before bulk printing