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Convert PNG to TIFF - Professional Print-Ready Images

Transform PNG files into TIFF format for professional printing and archiving.

Step 1: Upload your files

You can also Drag and drop files.

Step 2: Choose format
Step 3: Convert files

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Why Convert PNG to TIFF?

Your PNG works great online, but the print shop is asking for TIFF. Or maybe you need to archive important images in a format that preserves every detail. TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is the professional standard for printing, publishing, and long-term archival.

While PNG files excel at web graphics with their transparency support and efficient compression, TIFF offers features that matter for professional work: CMYK color space support, multi-page capability, and compatibility with virtually every professional imaging application.

How to Convert PNG to TIFF

  1. Upload your PNG file - Drag and drop or click to select your image
  2. Confirm TIFF output - TIFF is selected as your target format
  3. Download your TIFF - Ready for printing, publishing, or archival

The entire process takes seconds. No software installation, no account creation, no watermarks.

PNG vs TIFF: Understanding the Difference

Both PNG and TIFF are lossless formats that preserve image quality, but they serve different purposes:

FeaturePNGTIFF
Primary UseWeb graphics, digital displayPrint, publishing, archival
Color SpaceRGB onlyRGB and CMYK
File SizeSmaller (optimized compression)Larger (maximum data retention)
Multi-page SupportNoYes
Layer SupportNoYes
Industry AdoptionWeb standard since 1996Print standard since 1986

In our testing, a 5MB PNG typically converts to a 12-18MB TIFF file. The larger size reflects TIFF's comprehensive data storage, which is exactly what print professionals need.

When You Need TIFF

Professional Printing

Commercial printers often require TIFF files. The format supports CMYK color space, which matches the four-ink printing process. While PNG uses RGB (screen colors), TIFF can store print-optimized color data that ensures accurate reproduction.

Publishing and Pre-Press

Magazines, books, and newspapers typically work with TIFF in their production workflows. Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, and other publishing software handle TIFF files natively. If you are submitting images for publication, TIFF is often the expected format.

Document Archival

Libraries, museums, and corporate archives use TIFF for long-term image storage. The format's stability and universal support mean your images will remain accessible decades from now. Government agencies and legal departments often mandate TIFF for official records.

Scanning and OCR

Scanned documents are typically saved as TIFF because the format preserves text clarity for optical character recognition (OCR). If you are building a searchable document archive, TIFF maintains the quality needed for accurate text extraction.

Large Format Printing

Billboards, banners, and exhibition prints require maximum image data. TIFF's uncompressed option ensures no detail is lost when images are scaled up significantly. In our testing, TIFF files from PNG sources print cleanly at sizes up to 300% of the original dimensions.

Technical Considerations

Transparency Handling

PNG files often include transparency (alpha channel). Our converter preserves this transparency in the TIFF output. However, be aware that not all TIFF viewers and print workflows support transparency equally. For print jobs, you may want to flatten transparency onto a white or solid background first.

Compression Options

TIFF supports multiple compression methods including LZW, ZIP, and no compression. We use LZW compression by default, which reduces file size while maintaining lossless quality. In our testing, LZW compression reduces TIFF file sizes by 30-50% compared to uncompressed output without any quality loss.

Bit Depth

Both PNG and TIFF support high bit depths. If your PNG is 16-bit per channel, the converted TIFF retains that color depth. Most standard PNGs are 8-bit, which converts to standard TIFF without any data loss.

Alternative Conversions

TIFF is not always the right choice. Consider these alternatives based on your needs:

  • PNG to JPG - For web use where smaller file size matters more than lossless quality
  • PNG to BMP - For legacy Windows applications requiring uncompressed bitmaps
  • PNG to WEBP - For modern web optimization with better compression than PNG
  • PNG to EPS - For vector-based print workflows (though results depend on image content)

If your print shop accepts PNG, or if your images are staying digital, you may not need TIFF at all. The best format is the one that meets your specific requirements.

Batch Conversion

Have multiple PNG files to convert? Upload them all at once. Our converter processes files in parallel, so converting 20 images takes barely longer than converting one. Perfect for photographers preparing galleries for print or archivists processing document collections.

Works on Any Device

Convert PNG to TIFF directly in your browser:

  • Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
  • Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
  • iPhone, iPad, Android tablets

No downloads required. Your files are processed locally in your browser, which means faster conversion and complete privacy.

Pro Tip

When converting PNG to TIFF for print, ask your printer whether they need uncompressed TIFF or if LZW compression is acceptable. Most modern print workflows handle LZW fine, but some older RIP software prefers uncompressed files. Also verify whether they need CMYK conversion, which is a separate process from format conversion.

Common Mistake

Assuming TIFF conversion will improve a low-quality PNG. The conversion is lossless in both directions, meaning it preserves exactly what you have, flaws included. If your source image is 72dpi, the TIFF will also be 72dpi. Resolution and quality must be addressed before or after conversion, not during.

Best For

Professional print jobs, publishing submissions, document archival, and any workflow that specifically requires TIFF format. Also ideal for scanning workflows where TIFF's multi-page capability allows combining related documents into single files.

Not Recommended

Web use, email attachments, or situations where file size matters. A 2MB PNG might become a 10MB TIFF, making it impractical for online sharing. If your images are staying digital and no one has requested TIFF specifically, PNG is usually the better choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Both PNG and TIFF are lossless formats, so conversion preserves existing quality but cannot add detail. If your PNG is blurry or low resolution, the TIFF will be identical. The conversion changes the container format, not the image data itself.

TIFF files are designed to store maximum image data for professional use. While PNG uses efficient web-optimized compression, TIFF prioritizes data retention and compatibility. In our testing, TIFFs are typically 2-4x larger than their PNG sources even with LZW compression enabled.

Yes. Our converter maintains the alpha channel (transparency) from your PNG in the resulting TIFF. However, some older applications and print workflows may not support TIFF transparency. Check with your print provider if transparency handling matters for your project.

We use LZW compression by default. This is a lossless compression method that reduces file size by 30-50% while preserving all image data. LZW is widely supported across professional imaging software including Photoshop, Illustrator, and publishing applications.

Yes. Our batch converter processes multiple files simultaneously. Upload all your PNGs and download them as individual TIFF files. There is no limit on the number of files you can convert in a single session.

TIFF is generally preferred for professional printing because it supports CMYK color space and is the industry standard. However, many modern printers accept PNG files directly. If your print provider specifically requests TIFF, this converter makes the switch easy.

Yes. TIFF is universally supported in Adobe Creative Suite applications. The converted files open directly in Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, and other professional imaging software without compatibility issues.

No. The conversion preserves the exact color values from your PNG. Both formats support embedded color profiles, so if your PNG includes an ICC profile, it carries over to the TIFF. For critical color work, always verify output on a calibrated monitor.

Yes. TIFF is actually the preferred format for optical character recognition. Converting PNG screenshots or scanned images to TIFF makes them compatible with professional OCR software like Adobe Acrobat, ABBYY FineReader, and Tesseract.

Our converter handles PNG files up to 100MB without issues. For extremely large files, processing time may increase but quality remains consistent. Browser-based conversion means no software limitations apply.

Yes. All conversion happens locally in your browser. Your PNG files are never uploaded to our servers. This makes the tool suitable for confidential documents, personal photos, and proprietary business images.

TIFF is the traditional archival standard due to its long history, universal support, and stability. Libraries and archives worldwide use TIFF for permanent storage. If you are building a long-term archive, TIFF is the safer choice for future accessibility.

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