Convert PNG to TIFF Online

PNG File

File extension	.PNG
Category	Image File
Description	PNG images provide lossless compression, that is why the quality of the picture is nice, but the size of the file is huge. Because of it this file format is used by photographers. PNG may have several layers of transparency and even include short text descriptions which help search engines to examine the file. Although PNG was developed to replace GIF and partly other formats, it doesn’t support animation since it can’t contain several images like GIF.
Associated programs	Apple Preview Corel Paint Shop Pro GIMP - The GNU Image Manipulation Program (LINUX) Microsoft Windows Photo Gallery Viewer Safari
Developed by	PNG Development Group
MIME type	image/png
Useful links	More detailed information on PNG files
Conversion type	PNG to TIFF

TIFF File

File extension	.TIFF, .TIF
Category	Image File
Description	The TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a widely-used file format for storing digital images, developed by Aldus Corporation (now owned by Adobe Systems). It is a versatile format that supports a wide range of color depths, resolutions, and image types, making it suitable for use in a variety of applications. TIFF files can contain multiple images, each with their own characteristics such as resolution, compression, and color depth. They can also be uncompressed or compressed using a variety of methods, such as LZW, ZIP, and JPEG compression. Additionally, TIFF files can store metadata such as keywords, descriptions, and copyright information. One of the key benefits of the TIFF format is its support for high-quality, lossless image compression. This makes it a popular choice for archiving and sharing images, especially in fields such as graphic design, printing, and photography. TIFF files can also support transparent backgrounds, making them ideal for use in web graphics and other applications where transparency is important. TIFF files can be opened and edited using a wide variety of software programs, including Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and Microsoft Paint. They are also supported by many operating systems and web browsers. Overall, the TIFF format is a robust and versatile format for storing digital images. Its ability to support multiple images, high-quality compression, and metadata make it a popular choice for a variety of applications, especially those requiring high-quality images.
Associated programs	CyberLink PowerDVD InterVideo WinDVD VideoLAN VLC Media Player Windows Media Player
Developed by	Aldus, now Adobe Systems
MIME type	image/tiff image/tiff-fx
Useful links	More detailed information on TIFF files

PNG to TIFF Converter — Frequently Asked Questions ▼

Is PNG to TIFF conversion lossless?

Yes. Both PNG and TIFF are lossless formats. The conversion decompresses the PNG pixel data and re-encodes it in the TIFF container using LZW or ZIP compression. Every pixel value is preserved exactly — no quality is lost in either direction.

Why does a print shop require TIFF instead of PNG?

Commercial print shops use TIFF because it supports CMYK color spaces, 16-bit and 32-bit color depth, and ICC color profiles required for accurate offset printing. PNG is limited to RGB/sRGB color and lacks CMYK support, making it unsuitable for most prepress workflows.

Will transparency be preserved in the TIFF output?

Yes. A 32-bit PNG with an alpha channel produces a 32-bit RGBA TIFF that preserves transparency. Most print applications handle transparent TIFF; check with your print service whether they require a flattened white background.

What DPI will the output TIFF have?

The output TIFF inherits the DPI value stored in the PNG file's metadata. If the PNG has no DPI specified (common with web images), the TIFF will default to 72 DPI. You can set a higher DPI in the converter settings before converting.

What color space does the TIFF output use?

The output TIFF uses the same color space as the PNG source — typically RGB or sRGB. If your print workflow requires CMYK TIFF, you will need to convert the color space after conversion using Photoshop or a color management tool.

Can I convert multiple PNG files to TIFF at once?

Yes. The online converter handles batch PNG-to-TIFF conversion. For large-volume production work, Total Image Converter (Windows, $29.90) processes entire folders of PNG files to TIFF overnight with configurable compression and DPI settings.

Does TIFF have better compatibility than PNG for professional tools?

For print and prepress tools yes — TIFF is supported by all professional applications including Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, CorelDRAW, and all RIP systems. PNG is not accepted by many prepress workflows. For web browsers, the opposite is true: PNG is universally supported while TIFF is not.

Convert PNG to TIFF Online — Lossless Quality for Print and Professional Workflows

PNG is the standard lossless format for web and screen use. TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is the lossless format used in professional print production, scanning, publishing, and archival workflows. Converting PNG to TIFF produces a pixel-identical image in the container that print shops, design agencies, and publishing workflows expect — with support for higher bit depths, CMYK color spaces, and multi-page documents that PNG does not provide. No quality is lost in either direction: both formats are lossless, but TIFF unlocks compatibility with professional tools that require it.

What Is a TIFF File?

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) was developed by Aldus (now Adobe) in 1986 as a universal format for scanned images and professional print production. It remains the industry standard for prepress, archival, and high-quality imaging workflows.

Bit depth: Supports 8, 16, and 32 bits per channel — far beyond PNG's 8/16-bit limit.

Color spaces: Supports RGB, CMYK, Lab, and Grayscale — essential for commercial printing.

Compression: LZW, ZIP (lossless), or uncompressed — no quality loss regardless of setting.

Multi-page: A single TIFF file can contain multiple pages — useful for multi-page scans and documents.

Compatibility: Supported by all professional design and prepress applications (Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, QuarkXPress, etc.).

Who Needs PNG to TIFF Conversion?

Print production: Commercial print shops and prepress workflows require TIFF; PNG files must be converted before submission to offset or digital print service bureaus.

Publishing and editorial: Magazine and book publishers often specify TIFF for submitted images; PNG from cameras or web sources must be converted.

Scanning and archival: Organizations converting scanned PNG images to TIFF for long-term archival storage in systems that require TIFF format.

Medical imaging: TIFF is a standard format for medical image storage and exchange when DICOM is not required.

GIS and mapping: Geographic information systems (GIS) use GeoTIFF (TIFF with geolocation data); PNG map tiles need conversion to TIFF for GIS ingestion.

Design agency handoffs: Agencies delivering final approved assets as TIFF for client archives require conversion from PNG working files.

PNG vs TIFF — Key Differences

Property	PNG	TIFF
Introduced	1996 (W3C standard)	1986 (Aldus/Adobe)
Compression	DEFLATE lossless	LZW, ZIP, or uncompressed (all lossless)
Color spaces	RGB, sRGB only	RGB, CMYK, Lab, Grayscale, ICC profiles
Bit depth	8 or 16 bits per channel	8, 16, or 32 bits per channel
Multi-page	No — one image per file	Yes — multiple pages in one file
Browser support	Universal	None natively
Best for	Web, screen, sharing, transparency	Print production, prepress, archival, professional tools

How PNG to TIFF Conversion Works

The converter decompresses the PNG DEFLATE-encoded pixel data to obtain the raw RGB (or RGBA) pixel grid. The pixel data is then written into the TIFF container with the selected compression method — typically LZW for a good balance of file size and compatibility. The TIFF file header records image dimensions, bit depth, color space, and resolution (DPI from any PNG metadata). For 24-bit PNG input, a standard 24-bit RGB TIFF is produced. For 32-bit PNG with alpha, a 32-bit RGBA TIFF is produced. The output is pixel-identical to the input — no data is lost in the conversion.

PNG to TIFF Use Cases

Print shop submission: A designer converts finished PNG artwork to TIFF before sending to a commercial print shop that requires TIFF for offset or large-format printing.

Book or magazine layout: A publisher converts PNG images from a web source or author submission to TIFF for import into InDesign or QuarkXPress for print layout.

Archive migration: An organization converts a library of PNG scans to TIFF for long-term preservation in a document management system that requires TIFF archival format.

GIS mapping workflow: Converting PNG map imagery to TIFF for import into QGIS, ArcGIS, or other geographic information systems that read TIFF/GeoTIFF natively.

Prepress color conversion: Using TIFF as the intermediary format when converting from RGB PNG to CMYK TIFF for process color printing.

Batch conversion: Total Image Converter (Windows, $29.90) processes entire folders of PNG files to TIFF overnight for bulk print production or archiving.

Convert PNG to TIFF Online — Lossless Quality for Print and Professional Workflows