TIFF File Formats: What You Need to Know

Understanding what a TIFF file is and how it works is essential for anyone who wants to get the most out of their digital images. With its wide range of capabilities and impressive color accuracy, this format is an excellent choice for any project involving photos.

As we delve into the intricacies of TIFF, we uncover not just a file format, but a tool that continues to shape how we create and preserve visual information.

What is a TIFF file?

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is primarily used for high-quality picture preservation and exchange. It is the standard format for many graphics and image-editing applications, such as Adobe Photoshop and Apple Preview.

The TIFF format was created in 1986 by Aldus Corporation. It was designed for the purposes of desktop publishing and became an international standard in 1993. This image format copyright is now owned by Adobe.

With the acquisition of Aldus by Adobe Systems, TIFF continued to evolve, incorporating advancements that catered to the growing needs of digital imaging. Over the years, it has become a staple in various industries, thanks to its ability to store high-quality images without loss of data.

TIFF meaning

TIFF are image files that have the extension .tif or .tiff. They are used for high-quality raster graphics.

When opting for this format, you get lossless compression. Hence, the image data isn’t lost when a file is compressed.

For photographers and graphic artists, the TIFF format helps to archive visuals without taking up a lot of space or compromising the image quality.

Properties of TIFF Files

The format is used for storing both black and white and color images. It is a common practice in the printing field and for digital photography.

Here are some of the characteristics of TIFF files:

• Compression. Supports several types of compression: lossless LZW, PackBits, Delflate, and lossy JPEG.
• Color depth. Provides up to 48-bit color depth, catering to both simple and highly detailed graphics.
• Resolution. TIFF supports high-resolution images up to 4,096 pixels in both width and height. This makes it capable of producing high-quality images.
• Multi-page support. Can store multiple images within a single file, beneficial for documents and image sequences.
• Image editing. TIFF documents are great for editing as they support both transparency and layers.
• Metadata storage. Supports various metadata formats, including EXIF, IPTC, and XMP, which store information about the image, such as camera settings, date, and author.
• Platform Independent. Since TIFF is a widely used format, it is accessible and can be opened by virtually any operating system or software.

TIFF is an ideal file format for many use cases such as printing, scanning, archiving, and more. Boasting an extensive selection of features, it offers flexibility and reliability when working with digital images.

How to open a TIFF file?

Now you know what is a TIFF file, let's see how to view it:

• You can open up TIFF files in Microsoft Photos or InfanView. Though this lets you open them, you can’t edit those in these programs.
• On a Mac computer, TIFF files can be opened in the built-in application Preview.

You can also use a third-party app to view or edit TIFF files. See some examples below.

Cross-platform solutions:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Affinity Photo
• GIMP
• ImageMagick
• Darktable
• RawTherapee

Windows TIFF file editors:

• CorelDRAW
• Corel PaintShop Pro
• Paint.NET
• XnView

macOS TIFF image editors:

• Pixelmator Pro
• Acorn
• GraphicConverter
• Corel AfterShot Pro

Benefits of the TIFF format

There are many advantages of TIFF files, which led to their popularity among graphics artists all over the world.

One of the biggest advantages of these files is that they can manage all data and images within one file. This includes header tags like definition, size, arrangement of image data, and compression making the file both adaptable and flexible. For example, a TIFF file, therefore, can contain PackBits and JPEG compressed images.

Another benefit of TIFF format is its ability to be rendered in all classes, these include RGB full color, palette, or grayscale. So, as well as being an image container for different formats, it is also a single format itself.

What’s more, image data can be stored in a lossless format. Standard and common images are typically saved as JPEG files, but this is a lossy format.

When you save an image as a TIFF file, you’re essentially archiving it to be able to transfer or edit it further without losing any of the quality. Another lossless format is the BMP, but this is not as flexible as a TIFF.

TIFF in professional workflows

TIFF files play an integral part in various industries:

• Photography. Photographers use TIFF for editing and storing high-resolution images.
• Graphic design. Creative professionals rely on TIFF for detailed graphics and print media.
• Scanning and digitization. Documents are often scanned and stored as TIFF files to ensure high-quality and easy access.
• Archiving. Libraries, museums, and other institutions use TIFF for preserving historical documents and artworks, following strict preservation standards.
• Medical imaging. Utilized in medical fields, especially for DICOM files, ensuring detailed image storage.
• Geographic information systems (GIS). Employed for storing detailed maps and geographic data.

How to convert TIFF?

As TIFF files tend to be large in size, you can convert them to a more manageable format. If you open a TIFF image in the Windows Photo app, you can edit it and then save the picture as a JPG file.

If you want to create a digital portfolio, PDF may be your go-to file type. For that, you will need a specialized convert, like the one offered by PDF Candy.

See the steps on how to convert TIFF to PDF below:

1. Open TIFF to PDF converter and load the image with "+Add File".
2. Adjust the size, page orientation, and margins. Click "Convert File(s)".
3. Download the resulting file.

TIFF vs PDF

TIFF and PDF are two of the most popular file formats used to store and share documents. So, which is better for you?

TIFF vs JPEG

The primary distinction between JPEG and TIFF is file size and image quality.

• JPEG files are generally smaller in size than TIFF images, allowing for a faster transfer. However, because of the compression used to create a JPEG file, some image quality is lost when saving in this format.
• TIFF documents, on the other hand, are larger in size due to offering lossless compression. This makes TIFF a great choice for safeguarding images with intricate details or for editing photos. However, they are more difficult to upload and download.

When deciding which format to use for an image, it's important to consider how many details the image contains. And what the intended purpose of the image is.

For images with lots of detail or that will be edited often, using a TIFF format could be the optimal best. However, if you just need a lower-quality version of web use, a JPEG may be preferable due to its smaller size.

TIFF vs PNG

PNG and TIFF files are both popular but they serve different purposes and have distinct features.

• TIFF supports various color depths, including 1-bit to 24-bit color and higher. TIFF files can store multiple layers and pages, making them ideal for complex image editing and archival purposes.
• PNG is widely used for web graphics. PNG supports 8-bit and 24-bit color but is not capable of storing multiple layers, limiting its use for complex image editing.

Just like TIFF files, PNG is suitable for creating images with transparent backgrounds. The format uses lossless compression, similar to TIFF, ensuring that the image quality remains intact after compression.

TIFF vs RAW

RAW files are essentially the unprocessed data captured directly from a camera's sensor, containing all the information and details from the moment of exposure.

• RAW images are even larger than TIFF files due to their uncompressed or minimally compressed nature, storing a wealth of data.

This format provides photographers extensive control over post-processing adjustments such as white balance, exposure, and color grading without losing image quality.

• Unlike RAW, TIFF files are typically processed and edited versions of images that have been converted from RAW or other formats. TIFF supports various compression methods, including lossless options, ensuring that edited images retain their quality without degradation.

In essence, RAW is the starting point for capturing detailed image data, while TIFF serves as a versatile format for finalized images ready for distribution, printing, or archival purposes.

TIFF vs PSD

PSD is proprietary to Adobe Photoshop and excels in preserving layered compositions and other Photoshop-specific features.

• PSD files allow for non-destructive editing, enabling users to manipulate individual layers and effects seamlessly. This makes PSD ideal for complex graphic design projects. However, PSD files are typically larger and require Photoshot for full compatibility.

TIFF files can be opened on different platforms and through various software, making them a better choice if you need to share your designs with others who may not have the Adobe Suite.

How to edit TIFF files?

If you want to edit a TIFF image, you can use a photo editing program like GIMP, Adobe Photoshop, or even Microsoft Paint. Basic editing features are available in the native Windows and macOS picture viewers.

Just as with any picture, you can adjust lighting, size, rotation, crop, flip images, straighten images and change the image’s aspect ratio.

FAQ

What is the maximum file size for a TIFF file?

The maximum size of a photo in TIFF format can vary depending on the software and system limitations, but it can handle very large images compared to some other formats.

Can TIFF images be compressed?

Yes, just as with any other picture format, you can process your TIFF file through a compressor which will reduce its size.

What is the TIFF/IT format?

TIFF/IT (Tagged Image File Format for Image Technology) is a specialized version of TIFF format designed for the graphic arts industry, particularly for high-end press work. It offers enhanced features for color separations and print production.

Can mobile phones handle TIFF images?

Opening TIFF files on phones can be challenging due to limited compatibility. While some mobile apps support TIFF, it's less common. Additionally, given their larger file sizes, pictures with the .TIFF extension can strain the device's resources, impacting its performance.

Is TIFF a good format for creating a digital portfolio?

Yes, TIFF files maintain excellent image quality with lossless compression, making them suitable for showcasing detailed artwork, photographs, and other visual projects.

Can I add a watermark to a TIFF image?

Yes, you can apply watermarks to your photos or pictures in TIFF format to protect against unauthorized use or branding of your work before distribution.

What is a TIFF file: bottom line

As digital imaging continues to advance, TIFF images' strengths in preserving high-quality images without loss of data will likely keep them relevant in professional and archival settings.

This format is perfect for graphic designers, however, not always easy to share with colleagues and friends given the large file size. To make the process easier, convert TIFF to PDF and forget about problems with sending your portfolio to others.

Learn about other formats:

Further you knowledge about other image and document formats and see how you can utilize them for enhancing your workflow.

• What is BMP?
• What is PDF/A?
• What is ODT?

Other helpful articles:

• What is OCR?
• PNG vs JPG?