Can't save an image as a JPEG?

[angelschick6]

I have one image - a business card design actually that has two sides - one of them won't let me save it as a JPEG. Any ideas why? I have options, just not JPEG and I need Jpeg. It's not in the pulldown option.

[mrod]

Hi Amy-

Sounds like the image might be in a mode that doesn't support JPEG. Go to the Image>Mode menu. If the file is in the Bitmap or Indexed Color mode, you won't see JPEG as a saving option.

Switch to RGB or Grayscale, and the JPEG option should return.

Mike

[Joe_Kostoss]

Your signature says you have a MAC with CS4. If you are using CS4 on the MAC, JPEG is not available as an option if you are working in 16 bit mode. Check Image>Mode. Be sure 8 bit mode is selected.

[angelschick6]

Thanks Joe - that was it actually. The place I am getting my cards printed on required me to change it to 16 bit - THANKS SO MUCH! Now - how to get them the file they need?? Hmmm - hopefully using hubby's CS3 on his virtual machine (windows) will solved this problem?

[Joe_Kostoss]

Thanks Joe - that was it actually. The place I am getting my cards printed on required me to change it to 16 bit -

If the place requires 16 bit, than see if they accept psd or png files. I get my business cards printed at VistaPrint; they accept psd, which I also prefer, because jpg is too lossy, especially for text. If they accept psd, then create a copy of your card file and flatten it into one layer, save as a photoshop file (psd) and upload that instead of the jpg.

[wendyzine]

TIFs are sometimes and even better option. They are lossless too and can almost half the size of a PSD.