Vector Files
Sometimes called a geometric file, most images created with tools such as Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw are in the form of vector images files; Photoshop is not a vector program. Vector image files are easier to modify than raster image files allowing for easy resizing or adjustment without loss of quality. Vector files are preferred above all other file formats. 

Mechanical Artwork
The traditional standard for mechanical artwork that is “camera-ready black and white” or usable material.

Bitmap Files
Images are exactly what their name says they are: a collection of bits that form an image. The image consists of a matrix of individual dots (or pixels) that all have their own color (described using bits, the smallest possible units of information for a computer). Unless these are in very large sized resolution (600 DPI or better) and in a single color format, they are not usable in the printing or embroidery process.

Page Layout Documents
The font files and document preferences that need to be supplied for use on the supplier’s end in case they do not have a rare or special font that you would like to use.
(PDF) Files
Adobe© Portable Document Format preserve the visually rich content of original files, and are easier to read than HTML content that appears in a Web browser. Adobe PDF files print cleanly and quickly, and anyone can share Adobe PDF files, regardless of their platform or software application. An acceptable format to show the end result you would like but, usually not functional for sending artwork that needs to be printed. If original works of art, these files can often be saved in vector format for use as production art.  

EPS
Accepted. Encapsulated Postscript file: An alternative picture file format that allows PostScript data to be stored and edited and is easy to transfer between Macintosh, Windows machines, and other systems.
AI
Accepted. Adobe Illustrator file: In vector format, the very best in quality to recreate artwork in the printing process.
TIFF
Not usable. Tagged Image File Format file: A file format for exchanging bit-mapped images between different applications. This format will not work in the printing or embroidery process.
JPG
Not usable. Commonly used on the web due to its excellent ability to compress graphics to save web page load time; excellent for proofing. This format cannot be used in the printing or embroidery process.
GIF
Not usable. Commonly used on the web to save web page load time due to its ability to reduce the number of colors an image uses to be viewed. This format will not work in the printing or embroidery process.
BMP
Not usable. A low resolution image format. This format will not work in the printing or embroidery process.

Doc
Typically Word doc files can only be used to display typeset text. Any images in a word doc will not work in the printing or embroidery process.

Web Pages
Not Usable. As a general rule, if it can be viewed on the web, it is too low quality to work in the printing or embroidery process.

Freehand Art
Typically not usable. This type of art usually needs to be redrawn by a graphic artist in order to meet quality standards for the printing or embroidery process.

Scan Art
Typically not usable. Usually a copy of art, these designs need to be redrawn to work in the printing or embroidery process.