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What is lossless compression? Everything a designer needs to know

Updated: Jun 17


lossless compression

If you’ve worked with digital data in any form, you’ve probably heard the term “compression.” Whether it’s shrinking file sizes, improving storage efficiency, or speeding up file transfers, data compression is an essential tool. However, not all compression methods are created equal. Enter lossless compression, a method that preserves every bit of your original data while efficiently reducing its size.


For graphic design professionals and businesses, making the leap toward lossless solutions could mean greater efficiency, reliability and confidence that your data remains untampered. In this article, we will explore the basics of lossless compression and understand why it's gaining popularity in various industries.


Discover how to edit photos like a pro, while preserving quality with the power of lossless compression.



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How lossless compression works


Lossless compression is a technique that reduces file sizes, allowing the original data to be perfectly restored after decompression, ensuring no loss of information. It works by identifying and removing redundancies in the data. This approach is ideal for scenarios where maintaining data integrity is crucial, such as archiving essential documents or preserving high-quality images.


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Lossless compression file types


There are several file types across image, audio, and video formats that utilize lossless compression. Here are some of the most common examples: 


  • PNG: A pixel-based image format that provides high-quality graphics. Graphic designers widely used PNG files thanks to their support for transparent background design, making them ideal for designing a logo and illustrations. Use a PNG maker to easily create and customize high-quality PNG files for your projects.


  • BMP: An image file type commonly used for storing and printing high-quality digital photos. BMP files are now compatible with most Mac and Android devices. 


  • RAW: These powerful files are among the most common camera image formats. RAW files capture a high level of detail and contain unprocessed image data, ready for editing, exporting, or compressing into another format. 


  • GIF: Known as the Graphics Interchange Format, this file type is popular for displaying graphics, logos, and animated GIFs. 


  • ZIP: A widely used archive file format that compresses files to save storage space and make file transfers more efficient. 


  • WAV: A raw audio format capable of storing large amounts of uncompressed audio data, making it ideal for high-quality and professional audio recordings.


Uncover the pros, cons, and unique perks of popular image file types to choose the best option for your next design project.



Advantages of Lossless Compression


Lossless compression offers unique benefits that make it indispensable, particularly in professional and creative industries.


  • Data integrity: With lossless compression, you don’t just save space; you ensure that every bit of your original data is intact. This is critical for businesses dealing with contracts, financial statements, or legal documents, where even the smallest change is unacceptable.


  • Reversibility: Lossless compression enables you to revert to the original file at any time. For example, a TIFF image file compressed using PNG can always be uncompressed back to its original format, ensuring no data is lost in the process.


  • Quality preservation: If you're a graphic designer or content creator, visual quality is non-negotiable. Lossless compression is your go-to for formats like PNG or PDF, ensuring the visual fidelity of images, designs, and documents is perfect every time.



Use cases for lossless compression


Wondering where lossless compression is used in the real world? It has applications across industries and professions. Here’s a snapshot:



Archiving important files


Legal contracts, medical records, or historical documents often need long-term preservation in their original form. Lossless compression ensures these files remain identical to the original, while taking up less storage.



Medical imaging


When dealing with complex medical images like MRIs or X-rays, even the slightest data discrepancy can lead to a misdiagnosis. Lossless compression guarantees every detail is preserved.



Text and spreadsheets


For businesses handling countless invoices, spreadsheets, and financial reports, lossless compression helps save storage while maintaining 100% data accuracy.



Software distribution


When distributing software, especially for developers or enterprise-grade applications, maintaining data integrity within ZIP or TAR archives is crucial. Every bit matters when extracting a program for installation.



Limitations of lossless compression


While lossless compression is versatile and reliable, it’s not without its challenges. One key limitation is the compression ratio. Lossless compression methods don’t reduce file sizes as much as lossy techniques. For example, a lossless PNG might be twice the size of a lossy JPEG. If storage space is at an absolute premium, a lossy option might be more suitable.


Another limitation is processing power. Compressing and decompressing files with lossless methods can require significant computational resources, especially for large data sets. This processing overhead makes it less ideal for devices with limited hardware capabilities or for real-time applications like streaming.



Common techniques in lossless compression


Several ingenious methods make lossless compression possible. Each of these methods employs clever tricks to reduce redundancy in data, achieving smaller file sizes without sacrificing quality. Here are some of the most commonly used techniques:



Run-length encoding (RLE)


Have you noticed how some patterns repeat themselves in data? Run-Length Encoding compresses data by identifying repetitive sequences and encoding them as a single value, followed by the count of repetitions. For example, the sequence AAAAAA becomes A6. Simple, yet effective for repetitive patterns.



Huffman coding


This technique assigns shorter binary codes to the most frequently occurring elements in a file, and longer codes to less common ones. For instance, if letters like "E" and "A" occur more frequently in a text, they get shorter codes than less common letters like "Z" or "Q." Huffman Coding is widely used in formats like PNG and ZIP files.



Lempel-Ziv (LZ) algorithms


The backbone of file formats like ZIP and GIF, the Lempel-Ziv algorithm works by identifying repeated sequences in data and storing references to previous occurrences, instead of duplicating the data. This drastically reduces file size while maintaining every bit of information.


Discover techniques to level up your editing game and create visuals that wow every time:




Lossless compression FAQ


Is lossless compression better than lossy compression? 

It depends on your use case. If you need perfect data integrity (e.g., for legal or graphic files), lossless is better. For applications like streaming or casual image sharing, lossy may be sufficient.

Can lossless compression always shrink files significantly? 

Not always. Files that are already compact or lack redundancy (e.g., random data) may see minimal size reduction.

Does lossless compression support encryption? 

Yes, many lossless compression tools, like ZIP utilities, offer built-in encryption to secure your data.

How does image compression impact a marketing strategy? 

Image compression plays a vital role in shaping an effective marketing strategy, especially with digital design. By reducing file sizes without compromising visual quality, compressed images load faster, enhancing website performance and user experience. This can improve search engine rankings, reduce bounce rates, and increase audience engagement, ultimately driving better conversion rates.


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