File Prep: How to save and send files

What is a Pixel?

A pixel, short for "picture element," is the smallest unit of a digital image

Think of a pixel as a tiny square of color that, when joined together with many others, creates a beautiful, complete image. Pixels play a vital role in digital imaging; they’re the little heroes that define the resolution and clarity of every picture we see!

A Pixel is typically made up of three color channels:

  • Red (R)
  • Green (G)
  • Blue (B)

Think of a digital image as a mosaic of tiny coloured tiles. Just like more tiles create a clearer mosaic, more pixels result in a sharper, more detailed image. Fewer pixels can make the image look blurry or blocky.

Pixel game

Who can tell me what CMYK means?

In digital displays, pixels are used to make the images visible on screens. The quality of these images is influenced by the size and density of the pixels; generally, smaller pixels used in a higher density often result in sharper and more detailed images.

Raster images are also known as bitmap images. They consist of a matrix or grid of pixels. Each pixel is the smallest unit of an image, arranged in rows and columns, with a specific position and color value.

Raster images are often used in graphic design to capture detailed graphics and high-quality photographs. These images are most commonly available in four formats: JPEG, PNG, GIF, and TIFF.

Vector Graphics

Type of graphic that uses mathematical equations to define shapes, lines, and colors.

Difference Between Raster and Vector Images

Raster images use a grid of pixels to represent visuals, making them ideal for detailed and complex images but resolution-dependent. Raster is best for photos and details, while vector is best for logos and illustrations that need resizing. Understanding both types’ structures, applications, and limitations helps designers choose between them.

Vector graphics use mathematical paths to define shapes, allowing for infinite scalability without loss of quality.

What are the best uses for Vector images?

Vector

Vector: is best for logos and illustrations that need resizing.

What application would you create a vector image?

Raster:

Raster images use a grid of pixels to represent visuals, making them ideal for detailed and complex images but resolution-dependent.

What application would you edit raster images?

JPG

A JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is a file format for digital images that uses compression to store data. JPGs are one of the most common file formats for images, and are ideal for sharing online or sending via email.

To save a file with a transparent background in Adobe as a JPG, you can export the file as a PNG instead. JPEG files do not support transparent backgrounds and will save the image with a white background.

Dive deep in to JPG vs JPEG

PNG

stands for Portable Network Graphic, and it's a type of raster image file that's commonly used online. PNGs are popular with web designers because they can display high-quality images with transparent backgrounds.

Uses Logos, photos, screenshots, charts, graphs, architectural plans, blueprints, illustrations, comics, and handwritten letters.

Disadvantages of PNG files

Because of this, they don't support CMYK color modes, so transferring them to print can prove difficult. Although compressed PNGs contain high-quality, detailed image data, their larger file size means slower page loading times and responsiveness.

PDF

A PDF is a Portable Document Format file that allows users to share and print documents without modifying them. PDFs are a versatile file format that can be viewed on many different devices and operating systems.

Share documents

PDFs are a reliable way to share documents with others, regardless of their software, hardware, or operating system.

Merge and split documents

PDFs can be merged or split without affecting the original document's content, layout, or quality.

Add interactive elements

PDFs can include links, buttons, form fields, audio, video, and business logic.

Sign electronically

PDFs can be signed electronically.

The image is s t r e t c h e d

Credits:

Created with images by sean - "Scarlet Macaw Parrot on island of St. Thomas" • egor - "Greek head artwork statue with pixel face template. Style background concept. " • Rada Covalenco - "pixel background" • David Kreuzberg - "blue colored pixel art, technology design background isolated on white or transparent png" • Marc&Tryc - "Grey Abstract Mosaic Background, Pixel Background. From Dark Colors To Light Colors. Background For Cards, Poster or Website." • timla - "pink blue green orange yellow and purple pixel background" • Radoan - "pirate image 1" • Yeti Studio - "Flying 100 American dollars banknotes, isolated on white background" • Tadeusz - "Hand holding PDF documents above a laptop screen, illustrating digital file management."