Understanding File Types

If you’re confused over the difference between the many image file types, you’re not alone. When starting off a project, one of the first things we request from the client is a vector file of their logo (if we haven't created it for you of course). Here are some of the terms you may here us use throughout our design project:

.ai Adobe Illustrator
Default file type of Illustrator, a popular vector-based program
.eps Encapsulated PostScript
Vector file which can be opened outside of Illustrator
.pdf Portable Document Format
Self-contained document which preserves vector images as well as fonts or graphics needed to display correctly
.jpg Joint Photographic Experts Group
Sometimes displayed as .jpeg—this raster image format is best for displaying photographic images on web browsers
.gif Graphics Interchange Format
Raster image format best for simple images made up of solid colors with no gradients
.png Portable Network Graphics
Raster image format best for displaying simple images, supports transparency
.tif Tagged Image File Format
Raster image format best for high-resolution photos 

Sited: modassic marketing