How Files Work: What Different File Types Can Do For You

What Different File Types Can Do For You

Photoshop can save files in many different formats, but for colouring comics, there are two main types you will use:

Photoshop's native format (.PSD) is the best format to save in while working on an image. It supports layers and channels, allowing you to separate the image out in ways which make it easy to work on. However, layered Photoshop files contain lots of information which is not necessary when it comes to printing the finished page.

When the time comes to send the files to your publisher, it's best to save a copy of the files in TIFF (.TIF) format (not forgetting to leave yourself a copy of each file in Photoshop format, in case you ever have to make changes). Saving in TIFF format flattens layers and makes the file smaller. It also allows the file to be opened by QuarkXpress, the favoured tool of publishers, which cannot handle Photoshop files.

TIFF format has a built-in compression option, LZW compression. LZW is lossless compression, so you don't lose image quality when you use it. File sizes can be reduced by up to 75%. QuarkXpress can open LZW compressed files.

TIFFs come in Mac and PC (IBM) versions; try to find out which platform your publisher uses before saving files. If in doubt, save in IBM format; Macs will find it easier to open a PC file than vice-versa.