A widely used file format for storing raster graphics and image data, Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) was developed by Aldus Corporation in the mid-1980s. The format was created by Stephen Carlsen for use in desktop publishing. It published the latest version 6.0 in 1992, subsequently updated with an Adobe Systems copyright after the latter acquired Aldus in 1994. Several Aldus or Adobe technical notes have been published with minor extensions to the format, and several specifications have been based on TIFF 6.0, including TIFF/EP (ISO 12234-2), TIFF/IT (ISO 12639), TIFF-F (RFC 2306) and TIFF-FX (RFC 3949). Aldus Corporation originally developed the format 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.
- 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.
