Whether you're new to digital preservation, managing your first digitisation project, or have years of experience, understanding file formats is essential. In this session, Patricia Velasquez and Sara Sladwick will break down the differences between commonly used formats: TIFFs, JPEGs, EPUBs, and PDFs, and explain how each format fits into both preservation and access workflows. Drawing from practical experience in managing and migrating digitised collections, the presenters will outline the strengths, limitations, and appropriate use cases for each format, offering real-world insights into how organisations can make format decisions that support both long-term preservation and user accessibility.
Participants will gain an understanding of:
• The definition and purpose of TIFFs, JPEGs, EPUBs, and PDFs
• Key differences and how these formats serve preservation and access goals
• Common compatibility issues and how to address them
• When and why to convert between formats (e.g., TIFF/JPEG to PDF)
The session will share the process for converting large batches of TIFFs and JPEGs into PDFs, including tools used, challenges encountered (such as file size limitations and rendering issues), and lessons learned from implementing these workflows in a large academic library environment. Attendees will leave with practical tips and a clearer understanding of how to work with file types in digital projects, particularly when balancing preservation integrity with usability.