Quick Guide to Final Files: What Your Designer Delivers and How to Use Them

You’ve just wrapped up a branding project, and your designer sends over a folder labeled Final Files. Inside are PNGs, PDFs, EPS files, and maybe a few formats you’ve never seen before. You’re excited—your brand is officially complete—but also a little unsure.

What are all these final files actually for? Do you need every format? And why does your designer keep stressing the importance of vector files?

This guide breaks down exactly what designers deliver at the end of a branding project, why each file matters, and how to use them correctly. By the end, you’ll feel confident managing your brand assets and making informed decisions about how—and where—to use them.

Understanding Final Files: Raster vs. Vector, Resolution, and Compression

Before diving into individual file types, it’s important to understand how final files are structured. Not all branding project files are interchangeable, and using the wrong one in the wrong context can quickly compromise your brand’s visual quality.

Raster vs. Vector Files

Raster files are made up of pixels. They’re ideal for detailed imagery but have one major limitation: resizing them causes a loss of quality. That’s why designers emphasize exporting raster files at the correct size. Common raster formats include JPG, PNG, and GIF.

Vector files work differently. Built with mathematical formulas instead of pixels, vector formats can be scaled infinitely without any loss of clarity. Whether you’re printing business cards or a billboard, vector files like EPS, AI, and SVG ensure your brand always looks sharp.

Understanding the difference between raster vs. vector files is one of the most important aspects of brand asset management.

High-Resolution vs. Low-Resolution Files

Resolution refers to how much visual information an image contains. High-resolution files (typically 300 DPI) are required for professional printing, while low-resolution files (72 DPI) are optimized for screens.

Print projects always require hi-res final files. Digital platforms prioritize smaller file sizes for faster loading. Using the wrong resolution can result in blurry prints or unnecessarily large digital assets.

Lossless vs. Lossy Compression

Compression reduces file size, but not all compression is equal. Lossless compression preserves all original data, making it ideal for logos, graphics, and transparency-heavy assets. PNG files are a common example.

Lossy compression removes some image data to reduce file size. JPG and GIF formats fall into this category. They’re efficient for digital use but not ideal for print or detailed graphics.

File Types and Their Uses

Every file included in your final files folder serves a purpose. Understanding file type uses ensures your branding stays consistent and professional across platforms.

1. PNG (.png)

What it is: A raster file that supports transparency.
How to use it: Ideal for placing logos over photos, colored backgrounds, or digital graphics.

2. JPG (.jpg)

What it is: A compressed raster image with no transparency.
How to use it: Best for social media, websites, email marketing, and digital content where fast loading matters.

3. PDF (.pdf)

What it is: A versatile format that preserves layout and design integrity.
How to use it: Perfect for presentations, marketing materials, brand guidelines, and print-ready documents.

4. EPS (.eps)

What it is: A professional vector format used in print production.
How to use it: Essential for large-scale printing like signage, packaging, or merchandise.

5. SVG (.svg)

What it is: A scalable vector format optimized for digital environments.
How to use it: Ideal for responsive websites, icons, and interface elements that need to scale cleanly.

Additional File Types You May Receive

Beyond core branding project files, designers often include additional formats to future-proof your brand.

1. AI (.ai)

What it is: Adobe Illustrator’s native vector file.
How to use it: Store this securely. It’s essential for future edits, refinements, or expansions by a designer.

2. TIFF (.tif)

What it is: A high-quality raster file with minimal compression.
How to use it: Best for professional photography and detailed print applications.

3. GIF (.gif)

What it is: A lightweight raster format supporting simple animation.
How to use it: Ideal for subtle animations on websites or social media.

4. MP4 (.mp4)

What it is: A universally supported video format.
How to use it: Best for websites, ads, and social platforms.

5. MOV (.mov)

What it is: A high-quality video format commonly used in editing workflows.
How to use it: Ideal for master video files or professional post-production.

Why Final Files Matter for Brand Asset Management

Your final files are more than deliverables—they’re the foundation of your brand’s visual system. Proper brand asset management ensures consistency across platforms, prevents quality loss, and protects the integrity of your brand long-term.

Using the right file type for the right purpose allows your branding to scale effortlessly—from digital screens to physical environments—without unnecessary redesigns or technical issues.

When designers emphasize final files, vector formats, and correct usage, it’s not about overcomplicating things. It’s about making sure your investment in branding continues to work for you well beyond launch.