In the digital world, two of the most common file formats you’ll encounter are JPG and PDF. Both are versatile and widely accepted, but they serve very different purposes. Let’s explore what those differences are.
What Is a JPG?
A JPG (or .jpg) is essentially a photograph or flat image file. This format is perfect for capturing snapshots, graphics, and any kind of visual media. Once saved as a JPG, the image becomes “flattened,” meaning it’s a single, uneditable piece of information. While you can use many programs to create JPG files, you won’t be able to make changes to the individual elements within the image later. JPG are never vector files, which means that can not be enlarged without loss of quality.
What Is a PDF?
PDF stands for Portable Document Format, and it’s a powerhouse of a file type. Unlike JPGs, PDFs can combine various types of content in one file. This could include JPG images, vector graphics, editable text, and even interactive elements. PDFs are not “flat” like JPGs. This means that the individual components (like text, images, and shapes) can often be edited or extracted separately. Remember though, that even though they are editable, there are limits and editing within the native program in which the file was created is always preferable.
PDFs will maintain the vector images that was used to create the file and those vector elements can be enlarged without loss of print quality.
Which One Should You Use?
If you need an easy-to-share, visually rich image with no need for editing, JPG will accomplish this. But if you’re creating a document that includes editable text or multiple types of content, PDF offers flexibility and functionality. PDFs can also be rendered as interactive such as forms or fillable documents online, whereas JPGs can not.
The next time you’re saving a file, you’ll know exactly which format will help you put your best foot forward.
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