TIFF

Tagged Image File Format

A widely used file format for storing raster graphics and image data. Aldus Corporation originally developed the format in the mid-1980s (later acquired by Adobe) to provide a flexible and adaptable standard for handling high-quality images across different platforms and applications.

TIFF files are most often recognized by their .tif or .tiff filename extensions.

Characteristics of TIFF

TIFF is notable for its versatility. Unlike simpler image formats such as JPEG or PNG, TIFF was designed to accommodate multiple forms of compression, color spaces, and metadata tags. The tagged part of its name refers to the extensible system of metadata tags that describe the image data, resolution, color depth, and other properties.

Key attributes include:

• Lossless or lossy compression: TIFF supports several compression methods, including lossless (such as LZW and Deflate) and, in some cases, lossy (JPEG compression inside a TIFF container).
• High bit depth: It can store images with high color depth, including 16-bit or 32-bit per channel, making it useful for professional imaging and scientific applications.
• Multiple images in one file: A single TIFF file can contain multiple images or layers, which makes it useful for fax systems, scanned documents, or image editing workflows.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Widely supported across Windows, macOS, and Linux, TIFF became a go-to standard in desktop publishing, photography, medical imaging, and cartography.

Common Uses of TIFF

TIFF is particularly valued in industries where image quality and fidelity are paramount:

• Desktop publishing and graphic design: Used for storing images intended for print due to its ability to preserve high resolution.
• Photography: Preferred by professional photographers for archiving uncompressed or minimally compressed images.
• Medical imaging: Common in radiology and pathology for DICOM-to-TIFF conversions.
• Scanning and archiving: Libraries and archives use TIFF for digital preservation because of its stability and lossless options.

Limitations of TIFF

Despite its advantages, TIFF files can be very large compared to compressed formats like JPEG, which limits their use for web or casual sharing. Additionally, while TIFF is flexible, its complexity means that not every program supports every compression scheme or metadata variation found in TIFF files.

Summary

TIFF (.tif, .tiff) is a robust, flexible image format designed to preserve high-quality raster images. Its extensibility, support for multiple compressions, and ability to store large amounts of metadata make it a standard in professional imaging fields. However, its large file sizes prevent it from being as ubiquitous as JPEG or PNG for everyday use.