A Quick Guide to Image Types
When we wrap up a new logo design or branding project, one of the questions we hear from a number of clients is which file types they should use and where. When these projects are completed we send our clients a folder containing PNGs, JPGs, PDFs, and sometimes EPS files. When looking at all the options it can be overwhelming to make sense of when to use which. Thankfully, you don’t need a graphic design degree to figure it all out. This quick guide will walk through when to use each type and why so you’ll be able to complete your marketing tasks quickly and confidently.
PNG: Ideal for Digital, Transparency, and Crisp Graphics
Best for: Logos, icons, graphics that require transparency, color gradients, or clean edges
Avoid for: Large print formats or when the file size is required to be small
PNG files are the go-to image file type for digital use because they can offer full transparency. This means the logo design on your website won’t have to show up with an awkward white box around it and social media posts won’t require odd backgrounds.PNGs are great for needing sharp, clean edges and graphics. They work great for things like icons, logos, and illustrations.
Their biggest downside? PNGs tend to be quite large file sizes compared to JPGs – especially if they’re not properly optimized. There are great tools like tinypng.com that compress a PNG without sacrificing too much (if any) quality.
JPG: Great for Photographs
Best for: Photos and images with wide array of colors
Avoid for: Graphics that require transparency or ultra-sharp lines and edges
JPG (or JPEG) is one of the most classic photo file formats. It works great for pictures – think staff photos, photos of your products, or stock images used in website banners. JPGs are often smaller in size than PNGs, making them faster and easier to load on websites and social media platforms.
However, JPGs don’t support any transparency in the image at all. If the image is resized up or down too much it can also start to look fuzzy or blurry (pixelated if you want the technical term). They’re rarely ideal for things like logos or text-heavy graphics, especially in print.
EPS: A Designer’s Go-To for Print
Best for: Large-scale printing jobs, vector graphics, high-resolution projects
Avoid for: Everyday use, social media, or websites
EPS files are (very large) vector-based, which means they can be scaled all the way up to billboard size without losing any image quality. This makes them the ideal choice for print collateral such as business cards, banners, signs, and anything that needs to look super crisp.
Because they’re a very technical file type, EPS files are often handled by graphic designers or print shops. EPS is a file type that you should never be uploading to Facebook or your website as they are a massive file size.
PDF: Versatile for both Print and Viewing
Best for: Print-ready documents, sharing designs, brand guidelines
Avoid for: Website graphics (unless embedded or linked)
PDFs are a great file type because they preserve things like layouts, fonts, colors and quality across all devices. They’re also very easy to send to a printer (large print shop or your printer in your office) and are widely accepted by graphic design and print professionals. You can even use a PDF format of your logo for some printing pieces and it’ll come out looking fantastic.
Just note: PDFs aren’t meant for image placement on a website or inside social media platforms. They’re for viewing and printing much more. That said if you’re linking to a PDF to have someone print or embed it on your site they can work great. .
What About Facebook and Social Media Banners?
For leading social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, both PNG or JPG work very well. The decision will come down to quality and file size. If the file is too large, it may not upload properly or could be poorly compressed by the platform to save space. If the image is too smaller it can end up looking blurry and pixelated. As a general rule of thumb:
- PNG works best for logos or text overlays
- JPG works better for real life photo-based designs
If in doubt, send both versions—your designer can tell you which will look best.
Need a Hand Choosing the Right File?
Even with this guide, there are times when choosing the right file format still raises questions – especially when switching between web, print, and social media. If you’re ever unsure which version to use, feel free to reach out. We’re always happy to help make sure your brand looks its best wherever it’s showing up.
