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Image Conversion

Convert AI to TIFF — Free Online Converter

Convert Adobe Illustrator (.ai) to Tagged Image File Format (.tiff) online for free. Fast, secure image conversion with no watermarks or registration....

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How to Convert

1

Upload your .ai file by dragging it into the upload area or clicking to browse.

2

Choose your output settings. The default settings work great for most files.

3

Click Convert and download your .tiff file when it's ready.

About AI to TIFF Conversion

Converting Adobe Illustrator files to TIFF produces archival-grade raster images that meet the requirements of professional print production, museum collections, and institutional preservation standards. TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is the format specified by print houses, prepress departments, and archival institutions for high-fidelity image storage. When AI vector artwork needs to be delivered as a raster for print production or archival purposes, TIFF is the industry-standard target format.

TIFF supports features that other raster formats lack: CMYK color space for accurate print color reproduction, 16-bit and 32-bit color depth for maximum tonal range, ICC color profile embedding for color management across devices, and lossless LZW compression that preserves every pixel without any quality degradation. These capabilities make TIFF the definitive format for converting AI artwork to print-production-ready raster images.

Why Convert AI to TIFF?

Commercial printing and prepress workflows frequently require TIFF raster files rather than vector formats. Large-format printing on textured substrates (canvas, fabric, vinyl), specialty printing processes (screen printing, foil stamping, sublimation), and certain prepress RIP systems work more reliably with high-resolution TIFF input than with vector PDF. Converting AI artwork to TIFF at the target print resolution ensures predictable output from these production processes.

TIFF is also the standard format for archival image collections. Museums, libraries, and galleries that commission Illustrator-based design work (exhibition graphics, catalog illustrations, brand materials) archive the final rendered artwork as TIFF for long-term preservation. TIFF's non-proprietary specification, lossless compression, and broad institutional adoption ensure that archived images remain accessible for decades.

Common Use Cases

  • Deliver TIFF renders of AI artwork to commercial printers requiring raster input for specialty printing processes
  • Produce CMYK TIFF files from AI designs for packaging production and offset lithography
  • Archive AI brand assets as high-resolution TIFF for institutional design collections and brand archives
  • Generate print-resolution TIFF from AI illustrations for inclusion in printed exhibition catalogs and art books
  • Create TIFF proofs of AI artwork at production DPI for color verification before final print runs

How It Works

The AI file's PDF-based vector content is rendered at the target DPI through the PostScript/PDF interpreter. Vector paths are anti-aliased, gradient meshes are sampled, and transparency is composited into the final raster. The rendered image is encoded as a TIFF file with LZW lossless compression. Color depth is 8-bit per channel (24-bit RGB or 32-bit CMYK) by default, with 16-bit per channel available for extended dynamic range. ICC color profiles from the AI file are embedded in the TIFF for color management. Resolution tags in the TIFF header record the rendering DPI for correct physical sizing.

Quality & Performance

TIFF output is lossless — the rendered vector artwork is stored with exact pixel values and no compression artifacts. At 300 DPI, the output exceeds the quality threshold for commercial offset printing. At 600 DPI, the output is suitable for high-end art reproduction and large-format printing. Vector elements render with smooth anti-aliased edges, and gradient meshes are sampled at full precision. The only quality consideration is the rendering resolution — since vectors are infinitely scalable, choosing the right DPI for your output size is critical.

SHARP EngineFastLossless

Device Compatibility

DeviceAITIFF
Windows PCPartialNative
macOSPartialPartial
iPhone/iPadPartialPartial
AndroidPartialPartial
LinuxPartialPartial
Web BrowserNoNo

Tips for Best Results

  • 1Use CMYK color mode in your AI file before converting to TIFF for print — converting RGB to CMYK after rasterization may shift colors
  • 2Render at the exact DPI and dimensions required by your printer — avoid upsampling raster TIFF files after conversion
  • 3Use LZW compression for standard archival TIFF — it reduces file size by 30-60% with zero quality loss
  • 4Embed the ICC color profile for accurate color reproduction across different monitors and printing devices
  • 5For very large print sizes, request 150 DPI rather than 300 DPI — large prints are viewed from distance where lower DPI is sufficient

AI to TIFF conversion produces the highest-quality raster output for professional print production and institutional archiving, delivering lossless, color-managed images at any resolution from Illustrator vector source files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Use CMYK for offset printing, screen printing, and any process that uses physical ink separation. Use RGB for digital printing (large-format inkjet, photo printing) and screen display. Ask your printer which color space they require.
300 DPI for standard commercial printing (brochures, posters, packaging). 600 DPI for fine art reproduction and high-detail technical illustration. 150 DPI for large-format prints viewed from a distance (billboards, trade show banners).
Large. A 300 DPI render of a letter-sized AI design produces approximately 25 MB uncompressed or 5-10 MB with LZW compression. A 24x36 inch poster at 300 DPI: 200+ MB. Plan storage accordingly.
Yes. ICC color profiles are embedded in the TIFF output, ensuring consistent color reproduction when the file moves between calibrated monitors, proof printers, and production presses.
PDF is preferred for vector-based print production because it preserves resolution independence. TIFF is preferred when the production process requires raster input (specialty printing, certain RIP systems) or when a specific raster resolution must be guaranteed.

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