Lesson Plan
Course Title:
Printing & Imaging Technology
Session Title:
Graphic Formats
* This is Lesson #10 if used as part of the overall unit on Printing & Imaging Technology.
However, this lesson may be taught as a stand-alone project if desired.
Lesson Duration:
Approximately one to two 90-minute class periods
[Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor]
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this lesson, the student will have an
understanding of the graphics formats and their appropriate uses.
Specific Objectives:
1. Define terms associated with the lesson.
2. Identify the primary graphics file formats.
3. Identify major notable characteristics of primary graphics file formats.
4. Explain the differences between primary graphics file formats.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
§130.96(c)
(1) The student applies academic knowledge and skills in printing and imaging projects. The
student is expected to:
(A) apply English language arts knowledge and skills by demonstrating use of content,
technical concepts, and vocabulary; using correct grammar, punctuation, and
terminology to write and edit documents; and composing and editing copy for a
variety of written documents such as brochures, programs, and newsletters;
(3) The student understands and examines problem-solving methods. The student is
expected to employ critical-thinking and interpersonal skills independently and in teams to
solve problems.
(11) The student develops a technical understanding of printing and imaging. The student is
expected to:
(D) acquire information in a variety of formats.
Instructor/Trainer
References:
Prust, Z. A. (2009). Graphic communications: The printed image (5th edition). GoodheartWillcox Co., Inc. ISBN-10: 1605250619; ISBN-13: 978-1605250618.
Author’s expertise
Instructional Aids:
Graphic Formats slide presentation
Graphic Formats Quick Reference Guide
Graphic Formats Exam
Graphic Formats Exam answer key
Materials Needed:
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Graphic Formats
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Notepad and pencil/pen
Equipment Needed:
Computer and projection system with appropriate software to display slide presentation
Learner
None
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
SAY: One of the most confusing tasks for any commercial printer is to learn to ask
for the file format that s/he needs from a designer.
ASK: Do you have a favorite graphics file format? [expect to hear .jpeg or .gif]
ASK: Can anyone explain the difference between a .jpeg and a .gif? Do you know
which one is appropriate to use for what purpose? [There will be someone
who will know. This is a fairly simple differentiation.]
ASK: Well, one is used mostly for photography and the other is used mostly on the
internet. Is there anyone who can tell me when it is appropriate to use the
graphics format Scitex CT?? [I bet you can hear a pin drop.]
SAY: Now that we know that we don’t know them all, let’s take a little time to
understand which of these graphics formats are good for the commercial
printer, and which ones send them running the opposite direction.
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
I. JPEG (or JPG)
A. Common file type
B. Joint Photographic Experts Group
C. Works especially well for photographs
D. Loses sharpness when large areas of a
single color are present
E. Commonly called a “lossy” format for its
tendency to discard extra data not essential
for display of the image
II. GIF
A. Graphics Interchange Format
B. Standard for displaying graphics on the web
C. Compresses data without losing detail (some
call it “lossless”)
D. Not recommended for commercial printing
E. Only displays 256 colors
Instructor Notes:
KEY POINT: Ask students if
they have ever tried to save a
file thinking they were keeping
the transparency only to find
when they imported it the
dreaded white background
was alive and well. It could be
they are saving it as the
wrong type of file!
Students should take notes
during slide presentation.
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Graphic Formats
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III. TIF
A. Tagged Image File format
B. Flexible bitmap image format
C. Supported by virtually all paint, image
editing, and page layout applications
D. Nearly all desktop scanners create .tif files
IV. BMP
A. Standard bitmap image file
B. Does not support CMYK
C. Color support limited to 24 bits
D. Less than ideal for commercial printing
E. Good enough for only low res
F. Not supported by web browsers at all
V. EPS
A. Based on the PostScript language
(Encapsulated PostScript)
B. Transfers PostScript language artwork to all
other applications
C. Supported by most image editing and page
layout programs
D. Can contain both vector and bitmapped
images
VI. PNG
A. Initially was developed as a patent free
alternative to the more popular .gif format
B. Portable Network Graphics
C. Mostly used for online documents, not so
much in printed materials
D. Probably a better alternative for print than a
.gif is due to its better color support
VII. PSD
A. Native format for industry standard photo
editing software
B. Allows you to save a file in layers, which is
essential when editing photos
C. Allows you to embed color profiles
D. Can print 32 bit color
VIII. AI
A. Native format for industry standard
illustration software
B. Allows placement directly into page layout
programs and into photo editing programs
C. Based primarily on vector (mathematical)
graphics
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Graphic Formats
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IX. PDF
A. Portable Document Format
B. Created for the electronic distribution and
viewing of complete documents
C. Can preserve color quality and layout
precision sufficiently for electronic
distribution of prepress work. A print shop’s
friend!
D. Can preserve editing capabilities (like layers)
while being immediately viewable to anyone
E. Greatly reduce the file size while maintaining
the integrity of print quality and edit-ability of
the document
F. Can be shared and proofed/edited with other
people straight from the computer
G. Can secure your document to keep people
from “borrowing,” changing, or deleting your
information
X. WMF
A. Native to Windows operating system
B. Developed primarily to share vector art such
as clip art between users and applications
C. May contained raster information
D. Only supports 16 bit color and does not allow
for color separations
E. Unlikely file for printers to use very much
XI. PICT
A. Picture file widely used for Mac operating
system graphics and for transferring files
between applications
B. Especially effective when images have large
areas of solid color
C. Device dependent format, not recommended
as a commercial print choice because they
do not support color separations
XII. PCX
A. PC graphics
B. Not good for commercial printing
C. Only supports 24 bit color so it is not good
for commercial printing
XIII. DCS
A. Desktop Color Separations
B. Somewhat similar to the .eps format
C. Intended to be used in a host-based, preseparated workflow
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Graphic Formats
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Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
PART I:
Students should be working in pairs for this guided practice section.
.jpg = Joint Photographic Experts Group
.gif = Graphics Interchange Format
.tif = Tagged Image File Format
.bmp = Bitmap
.eps = Encapsulated Post Script
.png = Portable Network Graphics
.psd = native format of industry standard photo editing software
.ai = native format of industry standard illustration software
.pdf = Portable Document Format
.wmf = Windows MetaFile
.pict = Picture file
.pcx = PC Graphics File
.dcs = Desktop Color Separations
Students should drill each other on the NAMES only for these graphics file formats.
PART II:
The second part of this guided practice session involves the Quick Answer
Challenge (also in pairs). Divide students into 2 groups: Groups A & B. Ask each
student to develop two “factoids” each from the slide presentation that they think
they can trip up their partner with. Have A-group students partner up and rotate
through each of the B-group students. Students each get to ask 1 of their questions
each time and share answers (if their partner answers incorrectly).
When all students have rotated through each partner, hold a debriefing and discuss
some of the questions and answers. Choose some of the best questions to create a
“factoid sheet” for review or quiz.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students must create 2 factoids using the bulleted points on the slide presentation to
study for the Quiz.
These items will be turned in for a simple check for completion.
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Student-produced quiz from factoids will serve as a review for the Formal
Assessment.
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Graphic Formats
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Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
Completion of the factoid sheets.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Use the student-produced quiz or the multiple choice exam included in this lesson
plan to test students’ understanding of covered content.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
The students might like to develop a bingo game with file extensions. The bingo
caller would ask questions about the file extensions that were taken from the slide
presentation, and the students would cover up the appropriate answer in the correct
column. For example, the caller would say “In column B, cover up the PC Graphics
file”, and if the student’s card said .pcx in the “B” column, they would cover it up. This
would take some work, but would be a challenge for a student looking for some extra
credit!
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Graphic Formats
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Graphic Formats Quick Reference Guide
.jpg = Joint Photographic Experts Group
.gif = Graphics Interchange Format
.tif = Tagged Image File Format
.bmp = Bitmap
.eps = Encapsulated Post Script
.png = Portable Network Graphics
.psd = native format of industry standard photo editing software
.ai = native format of industry standard illustration software
.pdf = Portable Document Format
.wmf = Windows MetaFile
.pict = Picture file
.pcx = PC Graphics File
.dcs = Desktop Color Separations
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Graphic Formats
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Name:_____________________________________ Date:___________________
Graphic Formats Exam
DIRECTIONS: Select the best answer for each of the questions below. Record your
selection in the space provided beside each questions.
____1. Is it likely that you would ever want to use an .sct file in your career?
a. No, it is not really good for commercial print jobs
b. Yes, it means I am working at a high end print facility with a Scitex
computer at my disposal.
____ 2. What is that file extension that was created for PC graphics?
a. .pcx
b. .psd
c. .pdf
d. .pms
e. .ppp.
____ 3. Is the above file extension good for commercial print jobs at high resolution?
a. Yes
b. No
____ 4. What graphics file format is similar to .eps?
a. .qrk
b. .dps
c. .dcs
d. .pcs
e. .psd.
____ 5. Which operating system was .pict originated for?
a. Windows
b. Macintosh
c. Linux
____ 6. .wmf = Windows _____________________?
a. Metafile
b. Multifunction
c. Megafile
d. Multilevel Functionality
e. None of the above
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Graphic Formats
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____ 7. Which one of the following is designed to distribute entire documents electronically
with good preservation of color quality and layout precision for prepress?
a. .psd
b. .wmf
c. .pdf
d. .gif
e. .tif
____ 8. Is the .ai file format primarily vector or raster in nature?
a. Raster
b. Vector
____ 9. Does a .psd file save in layers, allow for color separations, and print 32 bit color?
a. No
b. yes
____ 10. What does the file format .png stand for?
a. Professional Networkers Group
b. Portable Network Graphic
c. Photoshop Net Graphics
d. Photographers Networking Group
e. Pro Net Graphics.
____ 11. Does a .bmp support 32 bit graphics?
a. Yes
b. Sometimes
c. Never
____ 12. What is the most high quality format that is used regularly?
a. .png
b. .gif
c. .tif
d. .wmf
e. .jpeg
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Graphic Formats
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Name:_____________________________________ Date:___________________
Graphics Format Exam answer key
DIRECTIONS: Select the best answer for each of the questions below. Record your
selection in the space provided beside each questions.
B
1. Is it likely that you would want to ever use an .sct file in your career?
a. No, it is not really good for commercial print jobs
b. Yes, it means I am working at a high end print facility with a Scitex
computer at my disposal.
A
2. What is that file extension that was created for PC graphics?
a. .pcx
b. .psd
c. .pdf
d. .pms
e. .ppp.
B
3. Is the above file extension good for commercial print jobs at high resolution?
a. Yes
b. No
C
4. What graphics file format is similar to .eps?
a. .qrk
b. .dps
c. .dcs
d. .pcs
e. .psd.
B
5. Which operating system was .pict originated for?
a. Windows
b. Macintosh
c. Linux
A
6. .wmf = Windows _____________________?
a. Metafile
b. Multifunction
c. Megafile
d. Multilevel Functionality
e. None of the above
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Graphic Formats
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C
7. Which one of the following is designed to distribute entire documents electronically
with good preservation of color quality and layout precision for prepress?
a. .psd
b. .wmf
c. .pdf
d. .gif
e. .tif
B
8. Is the .ai file format primarily vector or raster in nature?
a. Raster
b. Vector
B
9. Does a .psd file save in layers, allow for color separations, and print 32 bit color?
a. No
b. yes
B
10. What does the file format .png stand for?
a. Professional Networkers Group
b. Portable Network Graphic
c. Photoshop Net Graphics
d. Photographers Networking Group
e. Pro Net Graphics.
C
11. Does a .bmp support 32 bit graphics?
a. Yes
b. Sometimes
c. Never
C
12. What is the most high quality format that is used regularly?
a. .png
b. .gif
c. .tif
d. .wmf
e. .jpeg
AAVTC: Print and Imaging Technology: Graphic Formats
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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