Graphic Design Terms and Definitions
Browse graphic design terminology used for print and digital deliverables. Look up terms like CMYK, bleed, DPI, vector vs raster, kerning, and Pantone. Related service: Graphic Design.
SVG: Scalable Vector Graphics
Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is an XML-based vector image format for the web. Because it is made of code rather than pixels, it can be scaled infinitely without any loss of quality. Read moreabout SVG: Scalable Vector Graphics
PSD: The Raster Powerhouse
Photoshop Document (PSD) is the native file format for Adobe Photoshop. It is a raster-based format that supports layers, masks, and transparency. Read moreabout PSD: The Raster Powerhouse
PNG: The King of Transparency
Portable Network Graphics (PNG) is a raster-based file format that supports lossless compression and “alpha transparency” (transparent backgrounds). PNG is the essential format for web graphics. Read moreabout PNG: The King of Transparency
Pen Tool: The Designer’s Power Tool
The Pen Tool is a precision instrument used to create paths by placing anchor points and manipulating Bezier handles. It is the primary tool for logo design, icon creation, and complex vector illustration. Read moreabout Pen Tool: The Designer’s Power Tool
PDF/X: The Print Standard
PDF/X is a subset of the PDF ISO standard specifically designed for “eXchange” in the printing industry. It restricts certain features that can cause printing errors. Read moreabout PDF/X: The Print Standard
PDF/A: Digital Archiving
PDF/A is an ISO-standardized version of PDF specialized for the digital “Archiving” and long-term preservation of electronic documents. PDF/A ensures that a document will look exactly the same 50 years from now as it does today. Read moreabout PDF/A: Digital Archiving
Pattern: The Art of Repetition
A Pattern is a repeatable design element. In digital design, it usually refers to a “seamless tile”—a small graphic that, when placed side-by-side, creates a continuous, unbroken visual field. Read moreabout Pattern: The Art of Repetition
Mockup: Visualizing the Final Result
A Mockup is a realistic representation of how a design will look in its final environment, such as on a smartphone screen, a billboard, or a printed book cover. Read moreabout Mockup: Visualizing the Final Result
JPG: The Universal Photo Standard
Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPG (or JPEG)) is the most widely used raster image format. It uses “lossy” compression to significantly reduce file size, making it the standard for web photos and social media. Read moreabout JPG: The Universal Photo Standard
EPS: The Legacy Vector Format
Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) is a legacy vector file format used for high-quality image printing. It was the industry standard before the rise of the PDF. Read moreabout EPS: The Legacy Vector Format