PNG to TIFF Converter

What is PNG to TIFF Conversion and Why Do You Need It

PNG to TIFF conversion transforms images from a popular web format into a professional industry standard. Both formats support lossless compression, making this conversion particularly attractive: image quality is fully preserved while opening up professional processing capabilities characteristic of TIFF.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) handles web graphics tasks excellently: logos with transparent backgrounds, screenshots, icons, illustrations. The DEFLATE algorithm provides compact file size without quality loss. However, PNG's capabilities are limited: the format only supports RGB and Grayscale color spaces, color depth is limited to 16 bits per channel, and there's no CMYK support for printing.

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) was created as a universal container for professional image work. The format supports any color space (RGB, CMYK, Lab), color depth up to 32 bits per channel, multi-page documents, layers, and additional channels. TIFF is the standard in printing, archiving, and scientific visualization. Converting PNG to TIFF opens access to all these capabilities.

The main advantage of the PNG to TIFF pair is that both formats work losslessly. Unlike JPG to TIFF conversion, where source compression artifacts are preserved in the result, PNG to TIFF ensures perfect accuracy: every pixel, every shade, every degree of transparency transfers to the new format unchanged.

Technical Comparison of PNG and TIFF Formats

Compression Algorithms: DEFLATE vs TIFF Variety

PNG uses a single compression algorithm - DEFLATE (the same as in ZIP archives). Prediction filters are applied before compression, optimizing data for DEFLATE. Compression is always lossless, but efficiency depends on content: solid color areas compress excellently, complex textures compress worse.

TIFF supports dozens of compression algorithms through a tag system:

• No compression - maximum compatibility, huge size
• LZW - classic lossless algorithm, good compatibility
• ZIP/Deflate - modern algorithm (same DEFLATE as PNG), best compression
• PackBits - simple RLE, fast but inefficient
• JPEG - lossy compression inside TIFF (rarely used)

When converting PNG to TIFF, the optimal choice is ZIP/Deflate compression. It uses the same algorithm as the source PNG, providing comparable file size with all the advantages of the TIFF format.

Comparison Table

Transparency: Preserving the Alpha Channel

One of the key advantages of PNG to TIFF conversion is full transparency preservation. PNG stores the alpha channel with 256 (8 bit) or 65536 (16 bit) levels of transparency. TIFF supports a similar alpha channel, so:

• Fully transparent areas remain transparent
• Semi-transparent pixels retain exact alpha values
• Smooth transparency gradients are not distorted
• Anti-aliased edges with semi-transparent pixels are not lost

This is critical for logos, icons, and graphic elements that must correctly overlay on any background in professional layouts.

Color Depth and Color Spaces

PNG is limited to RGB and Grayscale color spaces. TIFF removes this limitation:

RGB to CMYK: For printing, the image can be converted to CMYK color space directly in TIFF. This ensures predictable color reproduction in offset printing.

RGB to Lab: Lab color space (Lab*) is device-independent and used for precise color correction. TIFF supports Lab, PNG does not.

Extending color depth: PNG with 8 bit/channel can be saved in TIFF as 16 bit/channel. While this doesn't add real information, such conversion is useful before intensive processing - more "headroom" for correction without posterization appearing.

Professional Use Scenarios

Preparing Graphics for Printing

Print shops traditionally work with TIFF as the main raster image format. Reasons:

RIP processor compatibility: Print equipment rasterization software is optimized for TIFF. Many RIPs incorrectly interpret PNG or don't support it at all.

ICC color profiles: TIFF correctly stores embedded ICC profiles for color calibration. PNG supports ICC profiles via iCCP chunk, but software support is incomplete.

Print resolution: TIFF stores physical resolution metadata (DPI) in standard tags. PNG uses the less common pHYs chunk, which is ignored by some programs.

Typical designer workflow:

1. Create graphics with transparency in PNG (web preview, approval)
2. Convert approved elements to TIFF
3. Place TIFF in InDesign/QuarkXPress layout
4. Send layout to print shop

Archival Storage of Graphic Materials

Museums, libraries, and government archives choose TIFF for long-term storage:

Standardization: TIFF is recommended by ISO 12639 and FADGI standards for archival storage. PNG is not included in these standards.

Format stability: The TIFF 6.0 specification hasn't changed since 1992. Files created 30 years ago open without problems. PNG is younger and less "time-tested."

Metadata: TIFF supports full EXIF, IPTC, and XMP metadata - the standard for cataloging archival materials.

For organizations with PNG file archives, conversion to TIFF provides:

• Unified storage format for all raster graphics
• Compatibility with Digital Asset Management (DAM) systems
• Compliance with archival standards

Scientific Visualization and Medicine

TIFF is widely used in specialized fields:

Medical imaging: MRI scans, CT scans, X-ray images are stored in TIFF for compatibility with medical software. PNG exports from diagnostic equipment can be converted to TIFF for archiving.

Microscopy: Scientific microscopes often export images in PNG. TIFF is required for publication in scientific journals and archiving.

Geospatial data: GeoTIFF is a TIFF extension with geographic coordinates. Maps and satellite images in PNG are converted to GeoTIFF for use in GIS systems.

Professional Image Processing

For complex post-processing, TIFF is preferable to PNG:

Working with layers: Photoshop can save layers in TIFF ("Layers" option). PNG doesn't support layers - only flattened images.

Additional channels: TIFF allows storing alpha masks, selections, Spot Colors as additional channels. When converting from PNG, you can add these channels.

Batch processing compatibility: Professional automation tools (Photoshop Actions, ImageMagick scripts) are often optimized for TIFF.

PNG to TIFF Conversion Specifics

What's Preserved During Conversion

• Image pixels - exact match, lossless
• Alpha channel - all transparency levels
• Color depth - 8 or 16 bits per channel
• Image dimensions - width and height
• Basic metadata - text comments (if present)

What May Change

• File size - depends on chosen TIFF compression:

  • Uncompressed TIFF: 1.5-3 times larger than PNG
  • TIFF with LZW: approximately equal or slightly larger than PNG
  • TIFF with ZIP/Deflate: close to PNG size

• Metadata - PNG-specific chunks (tEXt, iTXt, zTXt) may not convert. Standard metadata (ICC profile, gamma) is preserved.

Optimal Conversion Settings

For most tasks, recommended settings:

File Sizes: PNG vs TIFF

File size comparison for typical images:

Key observation: TIFF with Deflate compression is virtually identical in size to PNG, as it uses the same algorithm.

Multi-page TIFF from Multiple PNGs

A unique TIFF capability is combining multiple images into one file:

Multi-page TIFF applications:

• Scanned documents (each page is a separate image)
• Image series for analysis
• Animation frames
• Design variations in one file

When converting multiple PNGs, you can create a multi-page TIFF where each PNG becomes a separate page. This is convenient for archiving related images.

Alternatives to PNG to TIFF Conversion

Keep PNG

If the image is intended for web or doesn't require TIFF capabilities, conversion isn't needed:

• PNG is excellent for web graphics
• File size is optimal
• All browsers support PNG

Convert to WebP Lossless

For modern web applications, WebP offers better lossless compression:

• 20-30% smaller than PNG
• Transparency support
• 97%+ browser support
• Not suitable for printing

Use PSD/PSB

For professional processing in the Adobe ecosystem:

• Full layer support
• Smart objects
• Adjustment layers
• Limited compatibility outside Adobe

When NOT to Convert PNG to TIFF

For Internet Publishing

TIFF is not supported by any browser. For web, use:

• PNG - for graphics with transparency
• WebP - for optimal size
• SVG - for vector graphics

For Email or Messenger Sharing

TIFF files are too large for transfer:

• Email clients don't show TIFF previews
• Messengers don't support TIFF
• Better to send PNG or convert to JPG

For Regular Photo Storage

If professional processing or printing isn't planned:

• PNG already provides lossless storage
• TIFF will take more space without practical benefit
• For camera photos, better to keep RAW or use JPG