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Graphic Design vocabulary · Briefs, Clients & Feedback

Source files

Meaning in graphic design, with examples

/ˈsɔːrs ˌfaɪlz/nounCommon term

In graphic design, source files means: The original, editable working files of a design, such as AI, PSD, INDD or Figma files, as opposed to final exported files like PDFs or PNGs.

In Turkish: kaynak dosyalar, açık dosyalar

How it is used

Common in contracts and handover emails. Clients ask for source files so they can edit later; some designers include them in the price, others charge extra. Turkish designers often say açık dosya.

Example sentences

  1. Our quote doesn't include the source files; we deliver print-ready PDFs and PNGs only.

  2. Can you send the source files for the brochure? We need to update the prices next year.

Common collocations

  • hand over source files
  • editable source files
  • source files included
  • package the source files
  • deliverablesThe specific files and items a designer has agreed to hand over at the end of a project, such as logo files, a print-ready PDF or a set of social media posts.
  • layerOne level in a design file that holds its own elements, stacked on top of others like transparent sheets, so each part can be edited, hidden or moved separately.
  • packageTo collect a layout file together with all its linked images and fonts into one folder, so another designer or printer can open and print it without missing files.
  • exportTo save a copy of a design from your software in another file format, such as PDF, PNG or JPEG, so it can be printed, shared or used online.

More terms: Briefs, Clients & Feedback

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