Though with the Creative Suite the use of PSDs is increased, TIFF and EPS are still popular and indispensable formats.

Some time ago I had an interesting online conversation with a fellow designer, Peter Vintner. The discussion was about the difference between TIFF and EPS files and which one is better for offset printing. While EPS is mainly intended as a vector format, one can still use it for bitmap (or raster) graphics. At the time I was told by someone else that EPS files are better than TIFF files regardless, while I was told by my printer that it didn’t matter which one I used. I finally decided to pose the question: “Aside from the vector capabilities of EPS files, which one is better when used for bitmap images—EPS or TIFF?” Peter Vintner had the answer.

EPS VS TIFF

EPS stands for Encapsulated PostScript. In other words, it is a PostScript file, irrespective of its contents. It is an object oriented file written in PostScript language, designed to be self contained.

TIFF stands for Tagged Image File Format. It is a purpose-built bitmap file format, and as solid as a rock.

An EPS and TIFF of the same image contain exactly the same image data.

The only reasons for using EPS in preference to TIFF are images with spot colour channels and duotones. You can’t use the TIFF format in those circumstances. Otherwise TIFFs have distinct advantages over bitmap EPS files.

The Bitmap Winner

Firstly, a TIFF is always considered a smaller file.

Secondly, when imported into a page layout program, if you crop a TIFF image, only the data relating to the visible image goes through the RIP (Raster Image Processor). Whereas, if you crop an EPS image, the entire image data still has to be processed. It therefore takes more time to process and print an EPS than a TIFF of the same image. If you have lots of them it makes a big difference. And time and money in this respect.

Thirdly, an EPS cannot be manipulated outside the environment in which it was created. Once it’s in the page layout program, that’s it. That’s why it is “encapsulated”. Conversely, the data in a TIFF is accessible and can potenrially be changed from within the importing page layout program.

The difference between EPS and TIF as far as image quality is concerned is absolutely zero.

Will PSD replace the TIFF format?

What you read above was Peter’s view on EPS and TIFF formats. However since then, InDesign CS now supports spot colours in TIFFs, but, more importantly maybe, the use of PSD files is increased. PSDs can be imported into InDesign, as well as QuarkXPress armed with the PSD XTention, without background and without clipping paths. PSDs also support spot channels. Will the native Photoshop format bedim TIFF?

What do you think about this?