Image Formats for Print: What Designers Need to Know

Print and web are different worlds. Sending a JPEG optimized for web to a printer results in blurry output at 1.5"×1.5". Understanding print requirements saves costly mistakes.

File Format for Print

Print shops require TIFF (uncompressed or lossless LZW) or PDF. JPEG introduces compression artifacts at print resolution. PNG is acceptable but unusual.

Color Space for Print

Print uses CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). Web uses RGB. Convert to CMYK in Photoshop or Illustrator before sending to print. Color will shift.

Resolution: DPI vs PPI

Print requires 300 DPI (dots per inch) at final size. Web is 72 PPI. A 5"×5" print needs 1500×1500 pixels. A 5"×5" web image needs only 360×360 pixels.

Color Profile

Print shops expect images in ISO Coated v2 or similar print profile. Specify the profile in your TIFF file. Ask your printer which profile they prefer.

Bleed and Margins

Print requires bleed (extra space at edges for trimming) and safe areas for text. Web does not. Provide designers with print-specific templates.

File Preparation

For print: TIFF at 300 DPI, CMYK, with bleed. Embed color profile. Flatten layers. No transparency.

Web Preparation

For web: JPEG or WebP at 72 PPI (or 2x for retina), RGB or sRGB, no bleed or margins. Optimize for speed.

Never Reuse

Do not send web-optimized files to print. Do not use print files on the web. Create separate exports for each medium.

Common Mistakes

Sending JPEG to print, using RGB for print, 72 DPI output, forgetting bleed. These are expensive errors. Ask your printer for file specifications upfront.