Know Your File Types

If you have received your design files from me but don't know the difference between the file types, or what the files are used for. Look no further...

Adobe Illustrator (AI)

Adobe Illustrator is a program used by designers to create vector format files.
Vector files can be enlarged without losing any image quality. This is why the logo/s you will receive from Mixed pixel will be sent to you as an AI file.
There are some other programs that can open AI files, but they may rasterize the image, meaning the vector data will be converted to bitmap format.
If you ever need to send your artwork to another designer in the future you should send this file.

Photoshop Document (PSD)

Adobe Photoshop is a program used by designers to create bitmap graphics.
PSDs are files that are made up of pixels. When enlarged or reduced in size, it will lose its quality.
If you receive a PSD file from us, the design would need to be saved as a JPEG from Photoshop before you can upload the image online. (We will do this for you, but we like to send our clients the original files as it may be useful with any design work that may be taken out in the future.)

Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG)

The level of compression in a JPEG (or JPG) can vary in resolution. 
You would need high quality for printing, medium quality for images used on websites, and low quality for other platforms. (such as email)
If you were to use a JPEG that was very high in quality on your website it would slow your page down or cause it to crash. Likewise, if you were to send a low-quality JPEG to the printers, the design would most probably come back pixelated.
JPEG format supports CMYK, RGB, and Grayscale color modes, but does not support alpha channels.

Portable Network Graphics (PNG)

PNG files are high-quality bitmap images that are used for transferring images on the Internet.
You would not print a PNG file expecting high-quality results, therefore PNG's do not support non-RGB color modes such as CMYK.
PNG supports 24-bit images and produces background transparency, perfect for layering images over the top of each other in website design.

Portable Document Format (PDF)

PDF is a file format developed by Adobe that embeds and preserves fonts, images, layouts, and both vector and bitmap graphics.
They can be shared, viewed, and printed by anyone with the free Adobe Reader software. Some PDF files can be used for commercial, digital, and desktop printing.

I hope this has been useful. If you still need some help, please send me an email by clicking here and i will be more than happy to help. - Laura Darling, Founder & Designer.