If you're an artist, quality is likely one of your top concerns. You've spent hours on your pieces, so you need to be able to display them in all their glory. That means you need to print the highest-quality copies possible.

This is where the TIFF vs JPEG argument comes into play. Which one is the highest quality image format for printing? Does it really make that big a difference?

Keep reading to settle the TIFF vs JPEG argument once and for all.

What Is the Difference Between JPEG and TIFF?

Chances are, you may not even be aware of the difference between these two file formats. Let's start there.

What Is a JPEG File Used For?

JPEGs is perhaps the most common file format for printing digital photographs. Most photographs taken on both cameras and cellphones are automatically saved in JPEG format. JPEGs are high-quality, and they have very manageable file sizes, giving them a big advantage over other image formats.

However, there is a degree of quality loss with JPEGs. You lose some of the more intricate colors and details. These aren't noticeable at a glance, but become more noticeable in print once the photo is blown up.

What Is a TIFF File Used For?

TIFF format is much less common, but you may know it if you use Photoshop. TIFF files are much larger than JPEGs, but they're also lossless. That means you lose no quality after saving and editing the file, no matter how many times you do it.

This makes TIFF files perfect for images that require big editing jobs in Photoshop or other photo editing software.

The TIFF format offers you the truest representation of your art or photograph. It's not a practical choice for posting to the web or sharing online due to the big file size. When it comes to accurate representation, though, few other choices match up to TIFF.

TIFF vs JPEG: Which Should I Print With?

The truth is, the format you should print in depends on what you're printing.

If you're printing something smaller-scale -- think a small photo album or scrapbooking material -- JPEG will do just fine. If you're printing something large, however, where quality is important -- like an art piece or giclee art-- you should go with the TIFF format. That way you'll get the most accurate representation of the original piece with no quality loss.

You should especially use the TIFF format if you're editing the piece in Photoshop or similar editing software beforehand. Lots of quality is often lost during editing, but TIFF will make sure that doesn't happen.

Make Printing a Breeze

Now that you've settled the TIFF vs JPEG argument, you're ready to make high-quality prints. Well, you're almost ready.

Let Artful Printers take all the busy work out of your printing needs. Click here to check out our art printing services and what we can offer you. We'll get you high-quality results every time.