Ask Pro AI ✨
Help Center
How can we help? 👋
All Categories
Design & Editing Help
What File Format Should I Upload? JPG, PNG, RAW, HEIC Explained

What File Format Should I Upload? JPG, PNG, RAW, HEIC Explained

Pro Lab supported file formats — JPEG (recommended), PNG (graphics). How to convert HEIC (iPhone), RAW (DSLR), TIFF, BMP to JPEG. sRGB colour space, quality settings, and best practice workflow.

Last updated on June 1, 2026

Quick answer: Pro Lab accepts JPEG (.jpg) and PNG (.png) files for all photo products. JPEG is the recommended format for almost all photos because it's the standard camera/phone format with the right balance of quality and file size.

At a glance:

  • ✅ JPEG / JPG — Use this for all photos (recommended default)
  • ✅ PNG — Use this for graphics, logos, or photos requiring transparency
  • ⚠️ HEIC (iPhone default) — NOT supported — convert to JPEG first
  • ⚠️ RAW (DSLR) — NOT supported — convert to JPEG first
  • ⚠️ TIFF, BMP, GIF — NOT supported — convert to JPEG or PNG first

Why JPEG is the best choice

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is the universal standard for photographs:

  • Excellent quality at reasonable file sizes (5-10 MB per high-res photo)
  • Universally compatible with every camera, phone, and editing tool
  • Faster uploads to Pro Lab
  • Pro Lab's editor and printers are tuned for JPEG processing
  • 16.7 million colours — perfect for photos

Use JPEG when:

  • Uploading photos from camera, phone gallery, or photo apps
  • The photo has natural colour gradients (skin, sky, nature)
  • You want the smallest file size without quality loss
  • You're uploading lots of photos at once

When PNG is better

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is lossless — it preserves every pixel exactly without compression artefacts. But it produces much larger files than JPEG for the same photo.

Use PNG when:

  • The image is a graphic, logo, or icon (sharp edges, solid colours)
  • The image has transparency (e.g. cut-out objects for collages)
  • You're uploading screen captures with text or UI elements
  • You're printing artwork or illustrations rather than photographs

Avoid PNG for regular photos because:

  • File sizes are 3-5x larger than JPEG
  • Uploads take longer
  • No quality benefit for natural photographs (your eye can't tell)

HEIC (iPhone format) — must convert first

If you have an iPhone, your photos are likely saved as HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) by default. Pro Lab cannot upload HEIC files directly.

Two solutions:

  1. Open iPhone Settings
  1. Go to Camera → Formats
  1. Select Most Compatible (saves all future photos as JPEG)
  1. Re-take or re-export the photos you need

This is the best long-term fix. All future photos save as JPEG automatically.

For existing HEIC photos in your library:

Using iPhone Photos app (easiest):

  1. Open the photo in Photos app
  1. Tap Share → Save to Files (or Mail → Mail it to yourself)
  1. iPhone automatically converts to JPEG when shared
  1. Upload the JPEG version to Pro Lab

Using free online tool:

Using built-in macOS Preview:

  1. Open HEIC photo in Preview
  1. File → Export…
  1. Choose JPEG as format
  1. Save

RAW (DSLR format) — must convert first

RAW files are the uncompressed sensor data from DSLR or mirrorless cameras. They contain maximum quality but are massive (30-100 MB each) and require conversion before Pro Lab can use them.

Convert RAW to JPEG:

Using Adobe Lightroom (recommended for serious photographers):

  1. Import RAW files
  1. File → Export…
  1. Format: JPEG, Quality: 100, Colour Space: sRGB
  1. Save and upload to Pro Lab

Using free Adobe DNG Converter:

  • Download from Adobe website
  • Convert RAW → DNG → JPEG

Using your camera's bundled software:

  • Canon: Digital Photo Professional (DPP)
  • Nikon: Capture NX-D
  • Sony: Imaging Edge
  • Fuji: X Raw Studio

Important RAW conversion settings:

  • Quality: 100 (maximum)
  • Colour Space: sRGB (not Adobe RGB — see why below)
  • Resolution: Original
  • File size: Resulting JPEG should be 5-15 MB

Colour space — use sRGB

Pro Lab printers use sRGB colour space by default. Files in other colour spaces (Adobe RGB, ProPhoto RGB) may print with shifted colours.

How to ensure sRGB:

  • In camera: Settings → Colour Space → sRGB
  • In Lightroom: Export → Colour Space → sRGB
  • In Photoshop: Edit → Convert to Profile → sRGB IEC61966-2.1
  • Phone photos: Already in sRGB by default — no action needed

For giclée fine art prints, Adobe RGB is also supported — mention this when ordering.

Recommended file specifications for Pro Lab

Spec
Recommendation
Format
JPEG (.jpg)
Quality
Maximum (100% or 12/12 in Photoshop)
Resolution
300 DPI at intended print size
Colour space
sRGB (Adobe RGB for giclée only)
File size
3-15 MB per photo (typical)
Image dimensions
At least the recommended pixels for your print size (see File Resolution Guide)

Common file format errors

"File format not supported"

Cause: Trying to upload HEIC, RAW, TIFF, BMP, or other unsupported format.

Fix: Convert to JPEG using methods above.

"File too large"

Cause: Very high-resolution RAW conversion or massive scan exceeded per-file limit.

Fix: Export at JPEG quality 100 — typically reduces to 5-15 MB.

"Image dimensions too small"

Cause: Photo is below minimum pixel requirements for the chosen print size.

Fix: Use the original full-resolution version, not a compressed copy (e.g. avoid WhatsApp-sized images).

"Cannot read file"

Cause: File is corrupted, has unusual encoding, or extension is wrong (e.g. file renamed from .heic to .jpg without actual conversion).

Fix: Re-export the file or convert using a proper tool.

What about WhatsApp / Social Media photos?

⚠️ WhatsApp and social media compress photos heavily. Even though they're saved as JPEG, the file size is reduced to 100-300 KB — far smaller than the original 5-10 MB. When printed at large sizes, these compressed copies appear soft or pixelated.

Always upload originals, not WhatsApp copies:

  • Get originals from the device that took the photo
  • Ask the sender to send the photo as a document (not as a photo) on WhatsApp
  • iPhone: Photos app → Export Unmodified Original
  • Google Photos: Download original

File format quick reference table

Format
Pro Lab Support
Use Case
Notes
JPEG / JPG
✅ Recommended
All photos
Default choice — use this
PNG
✅ Supported
Graphics, logos, transparency
Larger files — use only when needed
HEIC
❌ Not supported
iPhone default
Convert to JPEG (see above)
RAW (CR2, NEF, ARW, etc.)
❌ Not supported
DSLR/Mirrorless
Convert to JPEG (see above)
TIFF
❌ Not supported
Pro photography
Convert to JPEG
BMP
❌ Not supported
Legacy format
Convert to JPEG
GIF
❌ Not supported
Animated images
Convert to PNG (still frame)
WEBP
❌ Not supported
Web optimised
Convert to JPEG or PNG
SVG
❌ Not supported
Vector graphics
Convert to PNG
PSD (Photoshop)
❌ Not supported
Layered files
Export as JPEG or PNG

Best practice workflow

For optimal Pro Lab results:

From smartphone:

  1. Make sure your phone is set to JPEG (not HEIC for iPhone)
  1. Upload directly from gallery or via app
  1. Always pick "Send as photo" — not as document if using WhatsApp

From DSLR/Mirrorless:

  1. Shoot in RAW + JPEG (best of both worlds)
  1. Use the JPEG for Pro Lab uploads OR convert RAW → JPEG with these settings:
      • Format: JPEG
      • Quality: 100
      • Colour Space: sRGB
      • Resolution: original
  1. Upload converted JPEGs

From professional editing (Lightroom/Photoshop):

  1. Edit in your native format (RAW, PSD)
  1. Export as JPEG with quality 100, sRGB, full resolution
  1. Upload to Pro Lab

Still having upload issues?

If you're encountering file format errors and the solutions above don't help:

  1. Take a screenshot of the error
  1. Note the file format and approximate size
  1. Email support@prolab.in with the screenshot and a sample file
  1. Our team will diagnose and recommend a fix

Related articles

For file format questions or RAW workflow assistance, contact support@prolab.in or call +91 99803 99806.

Did this answer your question?
😞
😐
🤩
Contact Us