If you are interested in graphic design, chances are you are probably going to have to interact with an EPS file.
EPS stands for Encapsulated PostScript. It is a PostScript document that is DSC-conforming and also has additional restrictions. It can be identified by its “.eps” suffix.
EPS files have many uses and can be opened by several applications. Read on, and we will go over what EPS files actually are and how they can help your workflow.
What is PostScript?
Seeing as EPS is an Encapsulated PostScript file, it would be helpful to first go over what PostScript is.
Postscript is a programming language which has strong graphics capabilities. It was first used in the 1980s by Adobe. Since that time, PostScript has gone on to become the industry standard.
It is used by pretty much all of the major printer manufacturers for their printers. PostScript file names end in “.ps”.
So what does PostScript actually do? Essentially, a PostScript file is able to describe the graphic or text parts of a document to an outputting device such as a monitor or printer.
Please keep in mind that the standard home laser printer does not actually print PostScript. PostScript printers tend to cost more and are typically used for business.
What Is an EPS File?
Now that we have PostScript out of the way, we can finally go over Encapsulated PostScript. An EPS file is used to put images into the PostScript file. Another way to look at it is as a PostScript file in the form of a vector image format.
A vector image format tells the processing unit to draw the actual image instead of just pixels. This is extremely useful for people who make graphics such as logos because they need to resized often.
If you know how to edit EPS files, you can resize them without losing any quality.
Within an EPS file, you can find data such as bitmap images, text, and 2D vector graphics. EPS files also come with preview images embedded in bitmap format.
Protect Yourself from EPS Malware
Like many other file types, EPS files from unknown or suspicious origins can contain malware, viruses, and other dangerous content. Be careful when interacting with these sort of documents.
Because EPS files are often used to show previews of documents, they can seem inconspicuous and misleading. This is exactly what happened to Ukrainian Financial Institutions back in 2017.
In that scenario, Ukranian and Russian banks were sent emails containing EPS files with names such as “Card Statement” and “Account Statement” but when opened, the documents ended up containing malicious files.
We do not recommend opening files that come from unknown sources.
How to Use EPS
EPS files are primarily used by Adobe Illustrator. But just because EPS files work well in Illustrator does not mean they can be used the same way in Photoshop.
If you open an EPS file in Adobe Photoshop, that file will have to be flattened or “rasterized”. This means you won’t be able to edit it.
This also happens when you use a JPEG in Photoshop. This is one of the main differences between Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop.
Operating Systems
Also, the kind of computer software you have will be a determining factor in how difficult or easy it will be to interact with EPS files. For example, if you fire up a Mac, you will be able to start working with EPS data immediately.
When using a Windows operating system, you will have to download a graphics software such as Adobe Illustrator in order to read EPS.
If you are trying to view or edit an EPS file but are experiencing issues, the best way to open it would be by downloading Adobe Acrobat Reader which is a free application.
EPS or JPEG?
So why use an image in EPS format as opposed to one in say, JPEG? When you work with an illustration in EPS, you have the ability to manipulate it in several ways. For example, you can change an image’s colors with ease.
We’d like to note here that .eps files can operate within multiple color spaces. Whereas your standard digital cameras and scanners operate with RGB data (red-blue-green), printers use the CMYK (cyan-magenta-yellow-black) color space.
With EPS files, different objects within your vector graphics can have their own color spaces. This can be beneficial depending on the kind of work you are doing.
EPS files also allow for a lot of customization. If you are working with an EPS file that is editable, you can easily move, delete, and add objects within the space.
This is perhaps the biggest benefit of the Encapsulated PostScript files. You can manipulate its colors, sizes, and other elements without losing any quality.
Conversion
Many times you will need to edit EPS files but will only have the JPEG version. When this is the case, you will need to use a free file conversion site. This will allow you to upload your JPG image and then quickly convert it to an EPS file.
Use EPS for Big and Small Projects
The EPS file format is an effective way to manipulate images without losing any quality. Whether you are designing an illustration for a big highway billboard or just need to tweak the color of somebody’s hat, EPS is a file which can get you to the finish line.
Need help with other file formats? Check out our blog for more!