Lossless or lossy refers to how data is compressed in a file and how much information it retains.

Lossless is a type of data compression that allows the original data to be reconstructed perfectly from the compressed data. This means that no information is lost during the compression process. It is often used for digital audio and image files.

In comparison, lossy refers to a type of data compression that results in a reduction of the original data, usually for the purpose of saving storage space or reducing transmission time. However, the compression process also results in a loss of information, which can impact the quality of the data.

PNG files are lossless, while GIF and JPEG files are lossy.

Still confused? Email laura@littlebirdcreative.nz for more information.