TIFF is not a format most people use every day, but in professional printing, publishing, scanning and archiving it is still the standard. Print shops ask for TIFF files, publishers request them for book covers and illustrations, and archives prefer them because they are lossless and well documented. If your images arrived as AVIF, converting to TIFF puts them into the format these workflows expect. This guide explains how the AVIF to TIFF converter works and which compression to choose.
Why TIFF for professional work?
- Lossless storage. Every pixel is kept exactly. No compression artefacts are introduced.
- Professional support. Desktop publishing, prepress and photo editing software has supported TIFF for decades.
- Long-term reliability. TIFF is mature and widely understood, which matters for archives.
- Colour profiles. TIFF can carry colour profiles, which professional printing workflows rely on.
Choosing TIFF compression
The converter offers three options. All three are lossless, so image quality is identical; only file size and compatibility differ.
LZW (default)
LZW is the most widely supported lossless compression for TIFF. Almost every program that reads TIFF can read LZW files. It is the safest choice when sending files to a printer or publisher.
Deflate
Deflate usually produces smaller files than LZW. It is supported by most modern software, but a few older programs and devices may not read it. Use it for your own archives or when you know the recipient supports it.
None
No compression at all. Files are much larger, but they can be read by absolutely any TIFF reader. Choose this only if a recipient specifically asks for uncompressed TIFF.
What to expect
- Large files. AVIF is extremely compact; TIFF is not. A TIFF can be many times larger than the AVIF.
- Same dimensions. The image is not resized.
- Transparency. Transparent areas are preserved, which suits design work.
- Colours. Images are produced for standard colour range, with colour profiles kept where present.
Step by step
- Open the AVIF to TIFF tool.
- Choose your AVIF or drag it onto the page. The real format is checked before upload.
- Choose a TIFF compression: LZW for compatibility, Deflate for smaller files, None if requested.
- Press Convert to TIFF.
- Download your TIFF.
A worked example: sending a photo to a print shop
A local print shop asks for a TIFF file to print a large poster. Your photo is an AVIF downloaded from a cloud album. Convert with LZW compression and send the TIFF. The shop's software opens it without complaint, and because TIFF is lossless, the print reflects everything the AVIF contained.
Before sending, check the print size the shop recommends. Large prints need a lot of pixels. If your image is small, converting will not add detail; a higher resolution original is the only real fix.
A worked example: building an archive
A small museum receives images of donated objects as AVIF files. For long-term storage, it converts them to TIFF with Deflate compression, keeping the AVIF copies for quick viewing on its website. The TIFFs become the archival masters, stored alongside descriptions of each object.
Understanding resolution and print size
A common source of confusion is "DPI", or dots per inch. Printers often ask for images at 300 DPI. DPI is really a relationship between pixels and physical size. A 3,000 by 2,000 pixel image prints at 10 by 6.7 inches at 300 DPI. Converting formats does not change the number of pixels, so it does not change the largest size you can print sharply.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing Deflate when sending to an unknown printer. LZW is safer.
- Expecting TIFF to improve quality. It preserves what is there; it cannot add detail.
- Emailing huge uncompressed TIFFs. Use LZW or Deflate unless uncompressed is required, and consider a file transfer service for very large files.
- Deleting the AVIF. Keep it as a compact copy for everyday viewing.
Limits
The tool page lists the maximum upload size and image dimensions. Very large images may exceed them; you will get a clear message before conversion.
Privacy
Your images are processed privately and never shared. Download links are personal and expire quickly. Uploaded and converted files are deleted automatically after a short retention period, and guest files are removed shortly after download.
Frequently asked questions
Is LZW lossy? No. LZW, Deflate and None are all lossless. Only the file size changes.
Which compression gives the smallest file? Usually Deflate.
Does TIFF support transparency? Yes. Transparent areas are preserved.
Will my printer accept the file? LZW-compressed TIFF is accepted by virtually all professional printing software. If in doubt, ask the printer which compression they prefer.
What to ask your printer or publisher
Professional workflows vary, and a two-minute conversation can save a reprint. Useful questions include:
- Which compression do you accept? LZW is almost always fine, but it is worth confirming.
- What resolution do you need? They may say 300 DPI at the final print size. Work out whether your image has enough pixels.
- Which colour space? Printers sometimes prefer a particular colour profile. Converting formats keeps the image's existing profile, but a printer may adjust colours for their own equipment.
- Do you need bleed? Bleed is extra image around the edges that gets trimmed off. If your image has no spare margin, ask how they handle it.
Having these answers before you convert means the file you send is the file they need.
Troubleshooting
My TIFF will not open in an older program. Convert again with LZW or no compression; Deflate is not supported by some older software.
The file is too large to send by email. Use a file transfer service, or confirm whether LZW compression is acceptable if you used none.
The page says my file is not an AVIF. The converter reads the real contents of every file, and will tell you if a saved image is actually a different format.
In short
Convert AVIF to TIFF when a printer, publisher or archive needs a lossless, professional format. Choose LZW for maximum compatibility, Deflate for smaller files you control, and None only on request. Expect large files, keep the AVIF for everyday use, and remember that print quality depends on the number of pixels in the original image.