What Type of File Do I Need to Order Custom Wall Decor?

   Essentially, there are two types of digital file formats that all file types are included under; bitmapped/raster and vector.  Wallhogs is the only digital print company to accept file types (seven different file types) from both formats and we will explain each file format and file type below.

Bitmapped/Raster Format

Bitmapped images are the format most widely used and recognized.  This format includes file types with these extensions:  .jpg, .tiff, .png, .gif, .psd, .bmp and .pdf.  These file types are constructed of pixels where each pixel constitutes one color.  These millions of colored pixels are placed very close together to form the image.  As we’ve all seen when you enlarge a .jpg photo the pixels enlarge the more the image is magnified until you can see the color of each pixel.  However, the problem here is the more you magnify or enlarge the image you notice the pixels begin to blur – this is referred to as pixelization - as seen above in the "resized 5x" image. 
     If the image was saved at a low resolution the pixels will blur after just a few steps of magnification whereas files saved at higher resolutions will require much more magnification prior to pixelating.  Wallhogs minimum accepted pixel resolution is 2048x1536, which is 3 MegaPixels (3MP) or three million pixels that construct the image (read at the end of the article on how to check the resolution of your image).

     For brevity's sake, we will only provide information on the file formats Wallhogs accepts.

Bitmapped (also called raster) File Type Images

1. .jpg or jpeg: This extension stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group and is the most widely used bitmapped image in the world.  Not only are the photos you take saved in this format, but many of the graphics you view online are in this file format.  The .jpg format allows for high compression in order to make the file a manageable size while still providing a high image quality.  This is one of the file formats you may upload to Wallhogs.
2. .tiff: This extension stands for Tag Image File Format and is normally only available on hi-end professional photography equipment, in hi-res scanning and as file formats savable in professional graphics programs like Adobe Photoshop.  This image provides for a much larger file size due to the amount of color information provided in the header of the file.  These file types typically range in size from 35MB up to 3GB and provide the highest quality bitmapped enlargements.  This is also one of the file formats you may upload to Wallhogs.
3. .psd: This extension stands for Photoshop Document and is the default file type for the graphics program Adobe Photoshop.  This format allows you to save at various resolutions, however, this program is expensive and not considered to be easy to learn.  Mostly used by professional photographers and artists.  This is one of the file formats you may upload to Wallhogs.
4. .pdf:  This extension stands for Portable Document Format and is widely used for printed documents, however, images may also be saved in this format from either the Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator graphics programs.  This is also the only file format that can be either a bitmapped or vector format image.  Wallhogs does accept this file format.

Vector Format

   Vector-based images are utilized by professional artists in programs such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw.  This format is intended to be used for art or graphics rendering and not for taking photos.  File types associated with this format include:  .eps, .ai, .svg, .cdr and .pdf.  These files have an advantage over bitmaps due to their extremely small file size and high-quality resolution for printing.  This is due to the files not requiring color information for each pixel – these file types are constructed of lines, curves, and polygons, as well as mathematical formulas filled with color to produce the images you see onscreen.  Due to how they are constructed vector images do not have a resolution or pixel dimensions like bitmapped images.  No matter how much you enlarge these images they will never pixelate and maintain their smooth rounded edges - as shown in the comparison image above.  Vector images also allow the color aspects of the image to be changed or controlled.

     Again, we will only provide information on the formats accepted by Wallhogs.

1. .eps: This extension stands for Encapsulated Postscript and Wallhogs does accept this format.
2. .ai: This extension stands for Adobe Illustrator and is exclusive to the Adobe Illustrator graphics program.  Wallhogs also accepts this file format.
3. .svg: This extension stands for Scalable Vector Graphics and is most widely used in the CorelDraw graphics program.  Wallhogs does accept this file format.
4. .pdf: This file format was explained above and can be either a bitmap or vector image.

Checking Your File Type & Resolution     

This provides you with a quick explanation of the file format Wallhogs accepts.  The vast majority of you will be uploading .jpg files and that is great – just make sure they meet our minimum resolution requirement of 2048x1536. 

To check the resolution simply place your mouse cursor over the icon of the image without opening it.  Leave the cursor on the image and within a few seconds, a box will appear providing you the pixel resolution (again for bitmapped images only). 

You may also view the pixel resolution by placing the mouse cursor over the thumbnail and right-clicking once.  Select Properties from the dropdown menu.  Once the menu options appear select the Detail tab and the pixel dimensions are included there.

     Have questions:  contact one of our wall decal experts via email at cs@wallhogs.com, or speak to them Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST at (877) 900-4647 or, get started now by uploading your image and ordering.  We provide electronic proofs within 24 business hours and will ship your custom wall decal just a few days after.

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