JPEG (Joint Photographers Expert Group) graphic file format that compresses full-color bitmap graphics to obtain smaller files. The process loses some information and thus slightly degrades the image quality each time it is edited and saved. This introduces several types of undesirable artifacts. Though most digital cameras save JPEG (JPG) images, Reactive Imaging advises saving them as TIFF after making edits.
If an image must be saved as JPEG due to insufficient space, use the highest quality setting for compression. Save a backup copy between editing sessions in case image degradation is observed. Many artists prefer to perform all edits on layers within Adobe Photoshop or some other image editing application. This is saved as the master. When copies are required at various sizes, a copy of the master can be saved as TIFF or JPEG, as the need may be. Some applications allow non-destructive edits to be made to images by saving a file that includes modification instructions. This file becomes the basis for displaying what is on screen (within that application). From this file, copies can be made in other recommended file formats.