Our Favorite File Types

There are a number of different design and layout programs you can use to digitally craft and save a file. Some of those files are meant to stay on the digital side of design, while others are perfect for analog printing. We’ll highlight a few of our favorite file extension types, and ones we’d like you to avoid for our print services.

Our Favorites

• .PDF - Portable Document File
  .PDF is an extremely versatile file extension. A .PDF can be a low resolution file with linked raster artwork or it can be an editable file filled with vector artwork. It is important that you provide the highest quality .PDF possible.

• .AI - Adobe Illustrator Artwork File
  .AI files are Illustrator’s native file format and contain vector graphics perfect for crisp printing.

• .EPS - Encapsulated PostScript
  .EPS is another vector file format we appreciate.

Files Extensions to Avoid

• .PNG - Portable Network Graphic
  .PNG files are raster files perfect for web design, but not for physical printing.

• .JPG - Joint Photographic Experts Group
  .JPGs are seemingly found everywhere and work well for digital printing but not for letterpress printing. They are wonderful, however, for reference images.

• .PSD - Photoshop Document
  This is Adobe Photoshop’s native file format. If you have an illustration that is raster artwork, it will need to be converted to 100% black without any grey tones. While it’s best to do this in Photoshop, we prefer that you link the image in a layout program like inDesign or even Illustrator and provide a .PDF with the raster file embedded.