How to Pick the Right TIFF Compression When Scanning Photos
The TIFF image format offers various compression methods, but is one better than the others for your long-term photo library?
Compression can make files smaller, but are you sacrificing image quality to save hard drive space?
LZW and ZIP are both “lossless” algorithms with a few practical differences. JPEG compression causes permanent loss of quality. Let’s dive into the details.
TIFF Compression Methods Explained
The usual choices for TIFF compression are Uncompressed, LZW, Zip, or JPG.
No Compression (Uncompressed)
Uncompressed TIFF files store image data without any compression, resulting in the highest image quality and pixel-by-pixel accuracy. While they preserve all the details and colors of the original photo, they also generate larger file sizes. Uncompressed TIFF is an ideal choice when storage space is not a concern and when maximum image fidelity is crucial for long-term archival.
LZW Compression
LZW (Lempel-Ziv-Welch) compression is a lossless compression method that reduces file sizes without sacrificing image quality. It achieves this by identifying repeating patterns in the image data and encoding them more efficiently. LZW compression is widely supported and offers a good balance between image quality and file size reduction. It is recommended for long-term archival when storage space is a consideration, as it can significantly reduce file sizes while preserving image integrity.
ZIP Compression
ZIP compression, also known as Deflate compression, is another lossless compression method available in TIFF format. It is highly effective in compressing large areas of uniform color or repetitive image data. It offers a similar balance of image quality and file size reduction as LZW compression. ZIP compression is also a suitable choice for long-term archival when file size reduction is a priority without compromising image quality.
JPEG Compression
While JPEG is primarily known as a lossy compression format, TIFF supports embedding JPEG-compressed data as a compression option. However, it’s important to note that using JPEG compression in TIFF may also lead to a loss of image quality due to the nature of the compression algorithm. It is not recommended for long-term archival of scanned photos, especially when preserving the highest level of image fidelity is a priority.
Do Not use JPEG to Compress TIFFs
Avoid using JPEG compression within TIFF files for long-term archival purposes. While JPEG compression offers significant file size reduction, it introduces lossy compression artifacts that can degrade image quality over time, especially with subsequent editing or re-saving of the file.
Pick a Lossless Algorithm
When it comes to long-term photo archival, the most recommended compression method for TIFF files is LZW compression.
Both LZW and ZIP are “lossless” algorithms that can reduce file size without sacrificing image quality, making it suitable for efficient storage while preserving the original photo’s integrity.
LZW and ZIP compression are both widely supported. LZW used to be patented, but that has not been a concern for many years.
Most modern image viewers and editors understand both algorithms. So, if you want to save space in your photo archive…
- Compress most TIFFs with the LZW algorithm.
- Fall back on ZIP if LZW is ineffective. Sometimes LZW increases file size!
- Resort to “No Compression” if saving TIFFs with ZIP takes too long.