There are many file types out there, and JPG and PNG are two of the most common. At first glance, they might seem similar, but they have significant differences that can be confusing.
“But if I’m hiring someone to do some design work, they should know and send me the right file, right?” you ask. Let’s say you ordered a banner for Facebook, and you want to print the same banner. The designer should send you two files: a PNG and a JPG. But which one goes to Facebook, and which one do you send to the print shop? Or what if you hire someone to create a logo and only receive a JPG? Would you know if that’s the right format? This is why it’s important to understand: what these formats are, when and how to use them, what their limitations are, and the difference between CMYK and RGB. Ready to learn?
What is it?
• PNG was created in 1995 as a replacement for GIF.
• JPG was created to make it easier to store and distribute images on the web.
How to use it?
• PNG has an amazing feature: transparency, which other formats don’t offer. Additionally, you can save a PNG file without losing quality, making it ideal for images that you plan to edit or reuse multiple times.
• JPG compresses data, resulting in smaller file sizes (a PNG might be 2MB, while the same image in JPG could be 800KB). This makes JPG perfect for sharing on the web or uploading to websites. However, be cautious—JPGs have much lower quality compared to PNGs.
When to use it?
• PNG is perfect for images with transparency and high quality, like icons on your website. With PNG, you won’t have to worry about a “white square” around your icon, and the quality will be top-notch. It’s also great for social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
• JPG files are smaller than PNGs, so they’re ideal for uploading pictures to your website when you don’t need transparency or when there aren’t small details involved. JPG is the perfect format for this purpose.
What is not good?
• PNG is not ideal for uploading to websites because its larger file size can slow down page loading times.
• JPG is not great for printing small details, such as text, books, or magazines.
CMYK or RGB?
• PNG files can only be saved in RGB, making them perfect for web use or certain types of prints.
• JPG files can be saved in either CMYK or RGB, depending on your needs (if you want to know more about RGB and CMYK, you can read here).
While PNG files might be perfect for social media, they might not be the best choice for your website. Similarly, a JPG might be great for printing a large banner but not ideal for printing an ad in a magazine. Understanding these differences allows you to improve the quality of your brand.
If you’re looking for a designer to create amazing work, contact me! See you in the next post! o/
