Best file type for scanning photos is often a topic of debate among professional photographers. While we’re not talking about the spat you might have had with a friend, you may have had a tiff with a colleague over the merits of TIFF vs JPEG. Below, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each file type and file format in terms of scanning, printing, and posting online. Pixels and the number of pixels per inch measured horizontally (PPI or DPI) are an integral part of this discussion.
A pixel is a tiny square of color, whether an image is black and white or color. The number of pixels in the image determines the overall image file size measured in KBs, MBs, or GBs. This measurement has implications for scanning, although more so if you plan on printing the images. If you’re only posting them online, 150 DPI is usually sufficient. If you’re printing the image, 300, 600, or a higher DPI is recommended, based on the format of the original (e.g. 35mm slide or negative) and the maximum size you wish to print.
Understanding File Formats
When it comes to scanning documents or photos, choosing the right file format is crucial. A file format is a standardized way of storing and organizing digital data, and different formats have unique strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these differences can help you make an informed decision for your scanning project.
For instance, some file formats are better suited for high-quality image preservation, while others are optimized for smaller file sizes and faster loading times. By selecting the appropriate file format, you can ensure that your scanned images meet your specific needs, whether for professional use, online sharing, or long-term archiving.
What is a JPEG or JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group)?
Created by the Joint Photographic Experts Group in 1992 and named after them, JPEG image files are minimized with lossy compression, which means some details are lost. One benefit of JPGs is that you can control how much to compress images depending on the application.
Another is that smaller file sizes have the advantage of not taking up as much space on a hard or zip drive and they load far more quickly on Web pages. JPEG is the standard image format on most digital cameras and smartphones, which is why you can store a huge number on an 8GB card if they are taken at medium format on your camera. In contrast, a pdf file is often used for document scanning projects where maintaining text integrity and ease of sharing are important.
JPEG files compression evens out transitional colors and can result in visual artifacts (e.g. blurred details or a pixelated image) if you’re not careful. A key thing to keep in mind is that every time you make any change to a JPG, a compression algorithm is applied. Due to this cumulative compression effect, you may end up with an image that is so compromised that it’s no longer usable, even if you’re only posting it online.
What is a TIFF File (Tagged Image File Format)?
The highest quality image format, the first version of TIFF (tag image file format) was created in 1986 by Aldus Corporation as a standard method for storing black-and-white images created by scanners and desktop publishing applications. The TIFF file format developed by Aldus Corporation in 1986 has become a standard for high-quality image storage.
TIFF 4.0, released in April 1987, was the first widely used public version and featured added support for uncompressed RGB color images. Theoretically, a TIFF format is a lossless file format that uses no compression, however, this was impractical, so later revisions incorporated ways to compress the image. Released in June 1992, TIFF 6.0 added support for CMYK and YCbCr color images and the JPEG compression method.
Cons: Although TIFFs are extremely high quality, the image files are enormous compared to JPEGs and are impractical if not unusable for posting online. Moreover, TIFFs are not a widely available option on most DSLR cameras.
TIFF File Format Benefits
The TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) file format is a popular choice for scanning documents and photos due to its numerous benefits. One of the primary advantages of TIFF files is their ability to preserve image quality without any loss of information or degradation. This makes TIFF an ideal choice for professional or high-end applications where maintaining the highest image quality is paramount.
Additionally, TIFF files can store multiple layers, which is particularly useful for image editing and manipulation. This flexibility allows for more detailed and complex edits, making TIFF a preferred format for photographers and graphic designers who require precision and quality in their work.
What Image Format is Best File Type for Scanning Photos?
If you’re a professional photographer and your images will be printed and published, you may want to consider scanning and saving images as both TIFFs and JPEGs. That way you’ll always have the uncompressed file to work with and won’t have to worry about the cumulative effect edits impact on your images.
For document scanning, pdf files are a versatile and widely recognized option due to their compatibility and built-in features like OCR. For everyone else, unless you need an extremely large image with ultimately precise details, JPEGs should suffice, as long as the compression is kept to a minimum. Time, quality, storage and the intent of your project will ultimately determine whether you scan photos at 300, 600, or a higher DPI.
Since 8 x10 inches is common print size, we’ll use this as a comparison. A 300 DPI 8 x 10 inch is 2400 x 3000 pixels, regardless of whether it’s a JPG or TIFF. But the JPG is 3.2–4.5 MB versus 21.2 MB for the TIFF. The pdf format is also convenient for storing scanned documents, making it a practical choice for users with smaller volumes of files.
If you’re looking for high-quality scans, you may want to consider Scan Cafe’s Pro Scanning options. With this service, we scan 35mm slides and negatives at 4000 DPI (24 megapixels), resulting in 11MB processed jpg files that can be printed 16 x 20 inches or larger.
Scanning Resolution and DPI
When scanning photos, the resolution and DPI (dots per inch) are critical factors to consider. DPI measures the number of dots of ink laid down on a piece of paper per square inch and is commonly used to gauge the resolution of a scanned or printed photo. Generally, the higher the DPI, the higher the resolution of the image.
For example, a 300 DPI scan is a standard benchmark for excellent print quality, producing sharp and detailed images. On the other hand, a 200 DPI scan will still yield a decent image but with slightly less detail. Adjusting the DPI according to your needs can help you achieve the desired balance between image quality and file size.
Best Practices for Scanning Photos
To ensure that your scanned photos are of the highest quality, it’s important to follow best practices. Here are a few tips to help you get the best results:
- Use a High-Quality Scanner: Invest in a good scanner capable of producing high-resolution images. This will ensure that your scans capture all the details of the original photos.
- Choose the Right File Format: Select a file format that suits your needs. For professional applications, TIFF is an excellent choice due to its superior image quality. For simple archiving or printing, JPEG is more than sufficient.
- Adjust Scanning Resolution and DPI: Set the scanning resolution and DPI according to your requirements. For general archiving or printing, 300 DPI is suitable. For smaller, more detailed images like wallet-sized photos, 600 DPI is recommended.
- Use Lossless Compression: To maintain image quality, use a lossless compression algorithm. This ensures that the scanned images do not lose any detail during the compression process.
By following these best practices, you can achieve high-quality scans that meet your specific needs.
Scanning for Archiving and Preservation
When scanning documents or photos for archiving and preservation, it’s essential to choose a file format that is suitable for long-term storage. PDF (Portable Document Format) is a popular choice for archiving documents because it is platform-independent and can be opened on any device or operating system without special software.
For photos, TIFF is an excellent choice due to its lossless nature, which preserves image quality without degradation over time. Additionally, TIFF files can be stored in a compressed format to reduce file size, making them easier to manage and store. By selecting the right file format, you can ensure that your archived documents and photos remain accessible and of high quality for years to come.