Plain-language definitions for the terms that come up across our tools and guides.
A way of representing binary data (like an image) as plain text, so it can be embedded directly in code such as CSS or HTML instead of linked as a separate file.
Convert an image to Base64A clickable entry in a PDF's navigation panel that jumps to a specific page or section - the PDF equivalent of a table of contents.
RGB (red, green, blue) describes color for screens; CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) describes color for printing. A file designed for one can look noticeably different when used for the other.
Lossy compression shrinks a file by discarding some detail (used by JPG and standard PDF compression); lossless compression shrinks it without losing any data (used by PNG). Lossy gets smaller; lossless stays exact.
Compress a PDFA cryptographic mechanism that verifies who signed a document and confirms it hasn't been altered since - different from a simple scanned or drawn signature image.
Digital vs. electronic signatures explainedA measure of image resolution - how many pixels are packed into each printed inch. 72-96 DPI is typical for screens; 300 DPI is the usual minimum for print.
Resize an imageA font file packaged directly inside a PDF, so the document displays with the correct typeface on any device - even one that doesn't have that font installed.
Scrambling a file's contents so it can only be opened with the correct password or key - what actually secures a password-protected PDF, not just a surface-level lock.
Password-protect a PDFMetadata a camera or phone embeds in a photo automatically - camera model, settings, timestamp, and sometimes GPS location. Invisible when you just look at the image.
How to view EXIF data in a photoThe small icon shown in a browser tab, bookmarks bar, and history for a website - typically a 16x16 or 32x32 pixel image.
Generate a faviconA Windows/favicon icon format that can bundle multiple image sizes into a single file, letting the browser or OS pick whichever size fits.
Convert an image to ICOData about a file, rather than its visible content - author, creation date, software used, camera settings, and so on. Often carried invisibly inside the file itself.
View an image's metadataThe process of recognizing text within a scanned image and adding it as a real, selectable, searchable text layer - without OCR, a scanned document is just a picture of text.
How OCR makes a scanned PDF searchableA file format built to look identical no matter what device or software opens it - fonts, layout, and images are all fixed into the file itself.
What is a PDF?A PDF password that restricts specific actions (printing, copying, editing) without requiring a password just to open and read the file - different from an open password, which blocks viewing entirely.
PDF passwords and permissions explainedAn image made of a fixed grid of pixels (JPG, PNG, WebP). Looks sharp at its native size but can blur or pixelate when scaled up significantly.
Convert between image formatsConverting a vector graphic (built from mathematical shapes) into a fixed-pixel raster image - necessary for platforms that don't accept vector formats like SVG.
Convert SVG to PNGPermanently removing sensitive content from a document, not just visually covering it - a black box drawn over text without true redaction can often still be selected and copied out.
How to redact a PDF properlyThe pixel dimensions of an image (e.g. 1920x1080) - distinct from DPI, which describes pixel density when printed rather than the raw pixel count.
Resize an imageA small, reduced-size preview of an image or document page, used for quick visual scanning without loading the full-resolution original.
An extra channel of image data controlling how see-through each pixel is - what lets a logo sit cleanly on any background color. Supported by PNG and WebP; not by JPG.
Convert PNG to WebPAn image built from mathematical shapes and paths (like SVG) rather than a fixed pixel grid - stays perfectly sharp at any size, which is why it's standard for logos and icons.
Convert SVG to PNGText or an image overlaid across a document or photo, usually semi-transparent, to indicate ownership or discourage unauthorized use.
Add a watermark