PNG Vs PDF 2022: Top Full Comparison For Your Choice

There are pros and cons to both png vs pdf files. Some people argue that png files are more versatile because they can be used for both web and print graphics, while pdf files are more popular for distributing documents because they are more secure and can be read on various devices.

PDF is a format designed for document exchange, while PNG is a format designed for images. PDF files are generally larger than PNG files, but the PDF format provides more features.

PDF

PDF (1)

While PDF files aren’t usually discussed when discussing options for image files (although you might need to convert PDF files from PNG and JPG formats), Portable Document Format (PDF), which creates an exact copy of any file, even images, is the industry standard in document sharing.

Although you would not want to upload a PDF image online or create an official brand design, they are useful for emailing and saving screenshots and other images and text documents and photographs.

Advantages of PDFs

Reliable and High-Quality

PDF files can be used to backup your original image or design. PDF files are great for file sharing and assure that your graphs, photos, or documents will display correctly on all devices.

Ideal for Interactive and Print Designs

PDF images can be customized to export images or documents and then optimize them for printing or sharing. This is a great option for documents and designs that will be printed rather than living online like print brochures. The PDF format allows you to save a design for printing.

A PDF file is ideal for creating interactive documents that need users’ input or buttons to be clicked. Adobe InDesign allows you to export your designs as an interactive PDF file.

Disadvantages of PDFs

Not Ideal for Logos or Icons

Although PDF files have many benefits, they should only be used for exporting photos and documents and not icons or logos. When exporting logos or icons, avoid the.pdf extension.

Not Easily Editable

Because PDF files are flat, you cannot edit them. When you need to share your design with others for interactive or print purposes, or to make an editorial design, consider saving it to PDF.

PNG

PNG

The acronym PNG stands for “Portable Network Graphics,” The image format can be optimized for graphs, logos, and text. You can save a photo as a PNG.

A PNG file is often of higher quality than a JPG. PNG files are not designed to reduce file sizes, but they retain more information and image detail than a JPG.

Like JPG files, but with PNG files, you can view and share them across multiple platforms and programs. You’ll find the.png version of any icon you search for in a web browser.

Advantages of PNGs

Lossless Image Quality

PNG files are compressed without causing any quality loss. Images can be saved, edited, and opened again and again with no degradation. This contrasts with JPG files, which compresses and loses information each time it is edited or re-saved.

Transparency Features

PNG files have the advantage of showing transparency. This makes them ideal for logos, icons, and other small graphics that need transparency. PNG files have a gray-checkered background that you can see before you download them. This indicates the file’s transparency.

Disadvantages of PNGs

Larger File Size

JPG images are popular because of their small file sizes. Images in PNG undergo a different method of compression, which reduces file size but not as much as JPG files.

Not Ideal for Photos or Printing

PNGs are best used for images online with limited color palettes, as they have a lossless image quality. You can save a photo to a PNG file and print it, but JPGs or PDFs are better for this situation.

PNG vs. PDF: Which File Format Is Best?

PNG vs. PDF Which File Format Is Best

Are you still unsure which image format is best between JPG and PNG? Or should you opt for a PDF instead? Let’s find out which file is best for you.

PNG images work well for web graphics, particularly logos, illustrations, graphs, and charts. Another advantage is that they can be compressed to smaller file sizes when the number of colors or elements is limited. 

A PNG has the greatest advantage: it can be transparent, so you can easily place images and designs on top of backgrounds. If images need to be edited or saved multiple times, PNG is a great choice.

PDF images can be used for printing, particularly for posters, flyers, and graphic design. PDF images can also be stored online. PDFs store your images in one package so that viewers can easily print and save designs or booklets.

How to Convert Image Formats Online

Shutterstock’s free file converter makes converting files between JPG and PNG. Upload your photo and choose the file format that you prefer.

We’ve already covered how to convert JPG to PDF or PNG to JPG on Mac and PC. You can create a PDF file from your desktop or online using other image types. Here are four simple steps.

You have many options for converting a PDF into an image file. These options are based on your operating system and budget and your level of expertise. To learn how to convert PDF to JPG, please refer to our guide. After saving your image file as a JPEG, you can convert it to PNG on a Mac. It’s as simple as changing the file extension.

Shutterstock Editor can also create designs or edit photos and then export them in any image format you prefer. It is easy to use and intuitive.

Navigate to Editor, and follow these steps to save any image as a JPEG, PDF, or PNG.

  • Choose Open Designs in Shutterstock Editor to import images. Or click File > New for a user-friendly editing program.
  • Once you are ready to export your image, click File > Save and give your image an appropriate name. This will save the document to your Shutterstock account.
  • You can export your design in a particular image format by selecting Download from the top-right Editor and then choosing PDF, JPEG, or PNG under File Format.
  • Your design or photograph will now be optimized for the file type you require.

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FAQ

Is a PNG smaller than a PDF?

PNG files can be described as bitmaps that have been compressed with lossless compression to make them smaller. The PDF offers the advantage of vector graphics and text within the file being scalable. This allows the image to be scaled up without losing detail. PNGs, on the other hand, are always raster images with a fixed resolution.

Can a PDF be a PNG?

These steps will convert a PDF file to a PNG.

Navigate to the Convert PDF page online at Adobe Acrobat. To upload your PDF, click the Select a File button. Drag and drop the file in the drop zone. Choose PNG from the drop-down menu. You can also choose JPG or TIFF if you prefer.

Is PNG better quality than PDF?

This was done to highlight key differences between the three formats. For example, PNG is superior to JPG in retaining image quality in web uploads. While PDF is more suited to electronically sending many files over the Internet because it is secure and widely used.

Is JPEG or PDF better for pictures?

Which is better – JPEG, PDF, or both? JPEGs are more quality than PDFs. JPEGs compress images, leading to a loss of quality that is impossible to recover. PDF files are a high-quality file format that can be customized and saved in PDF. They are the preferred choice for printers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, png files offer several benefits over pdf files. They are smaller, meaning they load faster and take up less disk space. They are also more versatile, allowing for transparent backgrounds and more accurate color reproduction. Thanks for reading!