Choosing the Right Image Format

There are various types of file formats available for images that are used on the web. Choosing the right image format for your website is essential for quicker page load and better performance.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics): This format is used in most designs, infographics, images with text in them and logos. PNGs are higher quality than JPEGs which typically result in larger file size. PNGs deal with areas of color and text with crisp lines, so you can zoom in and enjoy the same quality. This file format also supports transparent backgrounds which is important if you are creating a logo. If you have a choice, we recommend saving PNGs as a 24-bit format rather than 8-bit because of the better quality and rich palette of supported colors.

JPGs: this format, also known as JPEG, is the most popular image file format online. JPGs are perfect for photographs or complex images containing lots of colors, shadows, gradients, or patterns. JPGs have a huge color palette to work with. JPGs can be saved in high-quality, low-quality or anywhere in between. This way, you can adjust and save the image exactly how you want, balancing quality and file size. 

GIF (Graphics Interchange Format): This image format is ideal for animated images (animated product demos or screenshots) due to its small file size.

Choosing between JPG and PNG formats is easy. If your image is mostly a photo, choose JPG. If your image is mostly words or graphic elements, go with PNG.