PSB vs TIFF
p.1 #1PSB vs TIFF
From a workflow perspective I have always saved my files in the TIFF format. I'm sure I had a reason back in the day, but if I did, I have forgotten why. With the recent LR/ACR updates you can now save files as PSB files, which have no size limits. Although I have moved more of my processing to ACR and I haven't run up against the TIFF file size limits, I have in the past and I am sure I will again in the future. With that in mind, are there any cons to saving files in the PSB format rather than using TIFF?
Bear in mind that I generally save one copy of the file with all of my adjustments included in the file in case I need to go back and modify. I will also have a working copy of the file that I use for printing that has been flattened. My question is more geared to the larger file.
Appreciate any input you may have.
Bear in mind that I generally save one copy of the file with all of my adjustments included in the file in case I need to go back and modify. I will also have a working copy of the file that I use for printing that has been flattened. My question is more geared to the larger file.
Appreciate any input you may have.
Dec 18, 2025 at 03:16 PM
p.1 #2PSB vs TIFF
Tiff is a loss less file format. I have been saving all of my final processed files in that format. I avoid PSD/PSB file formats partly because I want as little to do with Adobe in the future as possible. There are also other reasons I prefer Tiff. I can print directly from Tiff. Almost every viewing/display software uses Tiff. That is also true for other post processing software outside of the Adobe grasp. Another simple reason is that I use Canon's DPP4 to open raw files from my Canon cameras and then save in Tiff. It works better than ACR where I can see some loss of fine detail.
I do not save any Photoshop files showing my adjustments. Again, I flatten and save as Tiff. Since Tiff is loss less I can easily go back and make adjustments. For me that typically comes when I am printing and want to fine tune exposure and perhaps saturation and/or contrast. If I am not happy with previously edited results, I typically want to start over.
I do not save any Photoshop files showing my adjustments. Again, I flatten and save as Tiff. Since Tiff is loss less I can easily go back and make adjustments. For me that typically comes when I am printing and want to fine tune exposure and perhaps saturation and/or contrast. If I am not happy with previously edited results, I typically want to start over.
Dec 18, 2025 at 06:57 PM
p.1 #3PSB vs TIFF
PSB is necessary for large files more than 30,000 pixels on a side or if the total file size is about 4GB or some other complexities. I make large landscapes up to a gigapixel, so use it quite a lot even since the older PS versions (CS2?). However, I see no reason to use a PSB if a PSD will do. If PS does not allow saving as a PSD that's a clue to use PSB. 
I would rather save as PSD than TIFF and PSD is widely used by many more applications than PSB. For example that new (free) version of Affinities does not accept PSB, but does accept PSD. All of those formats are from Adobe or predecessors.
EBH
I would rather save as PSD than TIFF and PSD is widely used by many more applications than PSB. For example that new (free) version of Affinities does not accept PSB, but does accept PSD. All of those formats are from Adobe or predecessors.EBH
Dec 18, 2025 at 08:38 PM
p.1 #4PSB vs TIFF
I also run up against the tiff size limit if I want to save a file preserving many layers. So I save the large file as a psb and flatten a copy to save as a tif and to print. I don't use psd any more.
Dec 19, 2025 at 04:06 AM
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p.1 #5PSB vs TIFF
Camperjim wrote:
Tiff is a loss less file format. I have been saving all of my final processed files in that format. I avoid PSD/PSB file formats partly because I want as little to do with Adobe in the future as possible. There are also other reasons I prefer Tiff. I can print directly from Tiff. Almost every viewing/display software uses Tiff. That is also true for other post processing software outside of the Adobe grasp. Another simple reason is that I use Canon's DPP4 to open raw files from my Canon cameras and then save in Tiff. It works better than...Show more →
Pretty similar for me. Especially for printing. I rarely go back to the larger layer file, But old school me still keeps them for some reason. Mostly just fear that I might loose something I guess. I may need to reevaluate my practices some.
Tiff is a loss less file format. I have been saving all of my final processed files in that format. I avoid PSD/PSB file formats partly because I want as little to do with Adobe in the future as possible. There are also other reasons I prefer Tiff. I can print directly from Tiff. Almost every viewing/display software uses Tiff. That is also true for other post processing software outside of the Adobe grasp. Another simple reason is that I use Canon's DPP4 to open raw files from my Canon cameras and then save in Tiff. It works better than...Show more →
Pretty similar for me. Especially for printing. I rarely go back to the larger layer file, But old school me still keeps them for some reason. Mostly just fear that I might loose something I guess. I may need to reevaluate my practices some.
Dec 19, 2025 at 05:43 AM
p.1 #6PSB vs TIFF
EB-1 wrote:
PSB is necessary for large files more than 30,000 pixels on a side or if the total file size is about 4GB or some other complexities. I make large landscapes up to a gigapixel, so use it quite a lot even since the older PS versions (CS2?). However, I see no reason to use a PSB if a PSD will do. If PS does not allow saving as a PSD that's a clue to use PSB. I would rather save as PSD than TIFF and PSD is widely used by many more applications than PSB. For example that new...Show more →
I hadn't cosisdered the excelent point about other applications. That helps a lot.
PSB is necessary for large files more than 30,000 pixels on a side or if the total file size is about 4GB or some other complexities. I make large landscapes up to a gigapixel, so use it quite a lot even since the older PS versions (CS2?). However, I see no reason to use a PSB if a PSD will do. If PS does not allow saving as a PSD that's a clue to use PSB.
I would rather save as PSD than TIFF and PSD is widely used by many more applications than PSB. For example that new...Show more →I hadn't cosisdered the excelent point about other applications. That helps a lot.
Dec 19, 2025 at 05:44 AM
p.1 #7PSB vs TIFF
mcbroomf wrote:
I also run up against the tiff size limit if I want to save a file preserving many layers. So I save the large file as a psb and flatten a copy to save as a tif and to print. I don't use psd any more.
Yep. What I do as well. I guess I was just trying to figure a way to simplify the workflow.
I also run up against the tiff size limit if I want to save a file preserving many layers. So I save the large file as a psb and flatten a copy to save as a tif and to print. I don't use psd any more.
Yep. What I do as well. I guess I was just trying to figure a way to simplify the workflow.
Dec 19, 2025 at 05:45 AM