A PrintScale guide
Why do print shops ask for TIFF?
TIFF gives print workflows a widely supported raster container. Its quality depends on the image data, compression and settings inside it.
By PrintScale · Updated
A container is not a quality guarantee
TIFF supports different compression methods and image representations. A TIFF saved with LZW uses lossless compression, while JPEG compression is lossy. Converting an already compressed JPEG into TIFF does not undo previous compression damage; it can avoid another lossy save during subsequent editing.
Ask the printer which colour profile, colour mode, bit depth and physical dimensions it requires. If it accepts a high-quality JPEG for the job, a TIFF may not be necessary. For artwork containing text and vectors, the shop may prefer a suitable PDF instead.
What PrintScale delivers
PrintScale's TIFF output is an 8-bit-per-channel RGB image with LZW compression and print-density metadata. It also provides full-resolution PNG and JPEG downloads. The TIFF export does not embed an ICC profile, so colour-critical work needs the print shop's profile instructions and an appropriate colour-managed workflow. It does not provide a CMYK separation or a 16-bit master.
Why large print files can be large
An 8-bit RGB image uses three bytes per pixel before compression: one byte each for red, green and blue. The table shows the raster payload only. TIFF headers, metadata, compression and image content change the actual download size; these figures are not predicted TIFF file sizes.
| Pixel dimensions | Megapixels | Bytes per pixel | Uncompressed RGB data, MB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3,000 × 2,000 | 6 | 3 | 18 |
| 4,000 × 3,000 | 12 | 3 | 36 |
| 6,000 × 4,000 | 24 | 3 | 72 |
| 8,000 × 6,000 | 48 | 3 | 144 |
One MB in this table is 1,000,000 bytes. A 16-bit RGB raster uses six bytes per pixel before compression, but that is not PrintScale's output bit depth.
Check the specification before delivery
Confirm the crop, pixel dimensions, print density, compression and colour handling. Reopen the exported file to confirm it is intact. Check critical detail at full pixel scale, and use a physical proof for colour-sensitive work.
Adobe describes image compression methods and TIFF export options. For file dimensions, use the print-size calculator.
If your printer accepts an RGB TIFF, prepare a supported enlargement with PrintScale.