File Formats & Saving

The Basics about formats

• PSD: These are layered files. Although other photo-editing software programs can read these files, they are specifically created in Adobe Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. These files contain multiple layers that can be manipulated or removed from a layout. Layered Templates are this file type, as are the layouts you create yourself.

• JPG: These are solid image files. Papers and photos are the most common JPG files you will use.

• PNG: These are overlay files. The background of these images is transparent, allowing them to be layered on top of one another. The majority of digital scrapbooking elements and embellishments are PNG files (ribbons, frames, buttons, staples, etc.)

• ABR: These are brush files. They must be loaded into Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements. If your software does not support brushes, there are generally PNG versions of the images provided in the download folder.

• PDF: These are Adobe Acrobat Reader files. They are often used when the designer provides instructions on how to use a downloaded file. They are also used for eBooks. You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files, and it is available as a free download on the Adobe website.

• Read Me: These are text files provided by the designer, often to provide the terms of use (TOU) and copyright information for their designs.



For those of you who are saying "Umm... I have no idea what you are talking about. I just need to know how to save my files!" this is for you...


Save Early, Save Often
Before I get into what format you need to save your file as, remember this rule: SAVE EARLY, SAVE OFTEN. I'll say it again - save early, save often. The keyboard shortcut for saving is CTRL+S for PC, and APPLE+S for MAC. Get in the habit of saving every couple of minutes. Make it a HABIT. Enough preaching… now on to the nitty gritty…



Come up with a naming convention
First, you need to come up with a naming convention. Basically, decide how you want to name your digi scrap layouts - then stick with it. And remember that the underscore is your friend. Always use an underscore ( _ ) rather than a space. You can name your files whatever you want to, just be consistant!

If your layout is about Grandma Helen's 90th Birthday that was on February 1st 2008, you might name the layout:

GrandmaHelen_90thBirthday_01Feb2008.psd
01Feb2008_GrandmaHelen_90thBirthday.psd
Grandma_90thBirthday_01Feb2008.psd

If you ever change a layout, always save the revised page with an indicator at the end, like: GrandmaHelen_90thBirthday_01Feb2008_edited.psd OR

GrandmaHelen_90thBirthday_01Feb2008_2.psd



Save each file three times.
You need to save every layout three times.
• layered, 300 dpi PSD file – this is your source file
• high resolution 200 or 300dpi JPG - for printing
• low resolution 72dpi JPG - for web/email


When you save your layout in the three different formats, be sure to give indicators at the end of the file name about what that file is for. For example:
GrandmaHelen_90thBirthday_01Feb2008.psd - this is your source file
GrandmaHelen_90thBirthday_01Feb2008_PRINT.jpg - this is your file for printing
GrandmaHelen_90thBirthday_01Feb2008_WEB.psd - this is for web/email/blog



Yes, you need to keep the PSD file!
It is very important that you keep a PSD file saved for every digi scrap layout. A PSD file is considered the "source" file because it is layered, which means that you can go back and edit the file as needed. If you do not save the PSD file, you are left with a flattened JPG file – which means you can not edit the layout. I don’t care if you think that you will never need the source file again. You will. Save it!