Photoshop Ninja
Expert Photoshop tips and tricks for designers and photographers since 2005
Why you should be using LZW compression on your TIFF images
One of the most common file formats for professional print is the TIFF file format. It offers all the features that print designers need, including lossless image compression and embed colour profiles.
When saving an image as a TIFF out of Photoshop, you are able to apply a number of different compression algorithms. The most common of these is LZW compression. When designers hear the ‘compression’ word they automatically think of loosing quality like experienced with JPEGs, but LZW compression is a ‘lossless’ compression technique. You should always apply LZW compression to your flattened final TIFF images as it creates much smaller files compared to an image saved as a standard TIFF.
There was a time many years ago when printers and repro houses didn’t like dealing with LZW compressed images for various reasons, including RIPs not being able to deal with this format of TIFF and extended ripping time whilst the image was decompressed. However, I’m glad to confirm that its only the most antiquated of printers that turn their noses up at LZW compressed files these days. One quick phonecall to the printers can confirm this.
Using LZW compression can save you time archiving work, save hard drive space and make collected jobs smaller to send out to printers – so stop using uncompressed TIFFs and start using LZW compression today!
Oh, and one final word on TIFFs, don’t use it to save layered files. The filesize is very large, they take ages to save and most printers will have trouble handling layered TIFF files, so don’t use this feature – that’s what Adobe gave us the Photoshop file format for – it is efficient and keeps everything editable that should be when you re-open the file.
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Written by Jonny Allbut - freelance graphic designer
Last modified: 26 January, 2007 (12:27) | First published: 26 January, 2007
Filed under Techniques - Print 2 Comments »
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Comment by dave
April 6, 2010 @ 6:11 pm
Thank you for the info Jonny!
Comment by Photoshop Ninja
April 9, 2010 @ 8:46 am
No problem Dave – save yourself a few megs here and there!