If you have ever ordered a poster, submitted artwork to a publisher or donated photographs to an archive, you may have been asked for "a TIFF". For many people this is the only time they encounter the format, and it can feel intimidating. It does not need to be. This guide explains what TIFF is, why professionals prefer it, and how to prepare files that are accepted first time.
What TIFF is
TIFF stands for Tagged Image File Format. It was created in the 1980s for scanners and desktop publishing, and it has remained the professional standard ever since. A TIFF file can hold a lossless image, colour information, transparency and plenty of technical details that printing and archiving software use.
Why professionals trust TIFF
It is lossless
TIFF files do not discard detail. Every pixel is stored faithfully, which matters when an image will be enlarged, printed at high quality or kept for decades.
It is widely supported in professional software
Desktop publishing, prepress, photo editing and archival systems have supported TIFF for decades. Professionals know it will open and behave predictably.
It is well documented
Archives favour formats that will still be readable in fifty years. TIFF's long history and public documentation make it a safe choice.
It handles colour carefully
TIFF files can carry colour profiles, which describe how colours should be reproduced. Printing workflows use them to keep colours accurate from screen to paper.
TIFF compression options
TIFF files can be stored uncompressed or with lossless compression. Our AVIF to TIFF converter offers three choices:
- LZW: lossless and very widely supported. The safest choice for sending to printers and publishers.
- Deflate: lossless and usually smaller than LZW, but a few older programs may not read it. Good for your own archives.
- None: uncompressed, very large, readable by anything. Choose it only if someone asks.
All three keep the image exactly the same. Only the file size and compatibility differ.
Resolution, DPI and print size
The most common confusion around printing is resolution. Printers often ask for "300 DPI". Here is what that means in practice.
An image has a number of pixels, for example 3,000 by 2,400. DPI, dots per inch, describes how many of those pixels are placed in each inch of paper. At 300 DPI, 3,000 pixels covers 10 inches. So a 3,000 by 2,400 image prints sharply at 10 by 8 inches.
Two important consequences:
- Converting formats does not change resolution. A TIFF made from a small image is still a small image.
- Enlarging an image does not add detail. If an image has too few pixels for the print size you want, the only real fix is a larger original.
A simple formula: divide the pixel width by 300 to get the largest print width in inches at professional quality. For posters viewed from a distance, lower DPI such as 150 is often acceptable.
Preparing a file for a print shop
- Ask what they need. Compression, colour profile, size and whether they need bleed, extra image around the edges that gets trimmed.
- Start from the best original. Use the largest, highest-quality version you have.
- Check the pixel dimensions against the print size using the formula above.
- Convert to TIFF with LZW compression unless asked otherwise.
- Name the file clearly, for example with the job name and size.
- Send it using a method that handles large files, such as a file transfer service, if it is too big for email.
Preparing files for an archive
- Keep the original file as well as the TIFF. Some archives store both.
- Use lossless compression, usually LZW or Deflate.
- Record information about the image, such as what it shows, who made it and when, in the archive's catalogue.
- Use consistent file names so records stay organised.
When TIFF is not the right choice
- Websites: browsers do not display TIFF reliably, and files are large. Use WebP or JPG.
- Email and messaging: files are too big; use JPG.
- Everyday sharing: JPG or PNG is more practical.
A worked example: a family history project
A family gathers old photos for a printed family history book. Some images come from relatives as AVIF files downloaded from a cloud album. The printer asks for TIFF with LZW compression at 300 DPI. The project organiser checks each image's pixel dimensions, notes which ones are large enough for a full page and which should be printed smaller, converts them to TIFF, and sends them with clear names. The book prints beautifully, and the TIFFs go into a family archive folder alongside the originals.
A quick reference for print sizes at 300 DPI
These are the minimum pixel dimensions for sharp prints at professional quality:
- 6 × 4 inch photo: 1,800 × 1,200 pixels.
- 10 × 8 inch print: 3,000 × 2,400 pixels.
- A4 page (about 8.3 × 11.7 inches): about 2,480 × 3,508 pixels.
- A3 poster (about 11.7 × 16.5 inches): about 3,508 × 4,961 pixels.
Large posters viewed from a distance can work at 150 DPI, which halves these numbers. Banners viewed from across a room can go lower still. When in doubt, ask the printer what they recommend for the size and viewing distance.
Colour on screen and on paper
Screens create colour with light; printers create colour with ink. Some bright screen colours, especially vivid greens and electric blues, cannot be reproduced exactly in ink. Professional printers manage this with colour profiles and proofs. If exact colours matter, ask for a printed proof before a large run.
Questions people ask
Is TIFF better quality than JPG? TIFF is lossless, so it preserves the image exactly. It cannot be better than its source, but it avoids adding compression loss.
Why are TIFF files so large? Lossless storage keeps every pixel. Compression helps, but TIFFs remain much larger than JPGs.
Will my printer accept LZW? Almost all professional printing software accepts LZW-compressed TIFF. Ask if in doubt.
Does TIFF support transparency? Yes, which is useful for design work.
In short
TIFF is the lossless, well-supported, archive-friendly format professionals trust for printing, publishing and preservation. Use LZW compression unless asked otherwise, check that your image has enough pixels for the print size, and keep originals alongside your TIFFs. With those steps, your files will be accepted the first time.