Master Files: As Businesses Grow Master Files Evolve!

The master file is the original file used to edit photo, audio, video, or graphic design work. It contains the raw assets embedded within the layers (not linked), along with all non-destructive layers, plugins, and settings used during the editing process.

Having proper master files is imperative for:

Re-branding
Edits & revisions
Color consistency for print shops
Collaboration with other companies’ marketers for cross-promotional campaigns

Branding guidelines not only set the tone for a brand’s identity and growth, but also allow smaller companies to collaborate with larger brands without limiting quality or workflow compatibility.

The following examples are merely a concise version to show bullet points from a file that can be shared among professionals for ease of use.

Photo Example:

A PSD file includes the working space’s color profile, typically Adobe RGB (1998), and a bit depth of at least 16-bit to prevent banding issues in photo-quality prints. The master contains all non-destructive elements, like the Camera Raw Filter, which can be toggled on or off. If an image has been edited destructively, a backup of the original RAW image is locked and preserved within the file.

Audio Example:

An audio master file should be recorded at 32-bit float to ensure the recorded vocals are not peaking, and with a minimum 48 kHz sample rate, preferably higher. Exporting as an AIFF file helps retain a lossless format, making it ideal for sharing master files that can be engineered across multiple programs. From this master, files can be downsampled and compressed depending on platform requirements.

Video Example:

Recording using a high-quality format like XAVC S-I 4K helps avoid heavy compression during the video shoot. Keeping all folders organized—with assets and special effects stored in the same location—ensures that if you share the folder, the files don’t need to be re-located. Also, confirming that all special effects have proper licenses registered to the client helps avoid copyright claims on platforms like YouTube. If a copyright assignment or transfer is needed in the future (so that the client can exploit the full rights to the general public), the licenses will already be in place and ready to go.

Graphic Design Example:

An .ai, .svg with layers, or .pdf with layers are examples of vector files that can be used as master files. If they include layers, this means the file has not been flattened or compressed. A .png (with a transparent background) is better than a JPEG image, but it is still a raster image that cannot be edited.

It is recommended that all files be created using the ICC color profile Adobe RGB (1998) and a color format of RGB 16-bit. Even if they are converted to sRGB IEC61966-2.1 during export, or to CMYK, U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2. All assets should be embedded and not linked to ensure full compatibility and portability across systems.