Which image file type is recommended for printing high-quality photographs?

The recommended image file type for printing high-quality photographs is TIFF. This format is preferred because it supports lossless compression, meaning that it retains all the original image data without any loss of quality. TIFF files can store images with rich color depth and are capable of preserving fine details that are essential for high-quality printing.

Additionally, TIFF files can handle various color profiles, which allows for better color accuracy when printed. This is particularly important for professional photography and printing, where the quality of the output is paramount. It is also a versatile format that can support both grayscale and color images, making it suitable for a broad range of photographic needs.

Other image formats like JPEG, while commonly used, employ lossy compression, which can reduce image quality when files are saved and resized multiple times. PNG is a great option for images requiring transparency, but it is not typically used for high-quality print photography. GIF is limited to 256 colors and is more suited for graphics and simple animations, making it unsuitable for high-quality prints as well.