How to import TIFF files into Figma

You've got a TIFF file from a photographer or a print archive, and you need it in Figma. You drag it onto the canvas and... nothing. Figma only supports TIFF files if you use Figma in the browser and that browser is Safari (see Figma's supported formats).

The image.to.design plugin solves this. Drag your TIFF into the plugin, and it imports directly onto your Figma canvas as a high-quality image layer.

What is a TIFF File?

TIFF stands for Tagged Image File Format. It's been around since 1986 and became the default format for high-quality image storage. Unlike JPEG, which throws away data to shrink file sizes, TIFF keeps everything. Every pixel, every color value, every detail—it's all there.

Key characteristics of TIFF files include support for high bit depths (8-bit, 16-bit, and 32-bit), multiple color spaces (RGB, CMYK, grayscale), transparency channels, and multi-page documents. Professional photographers shoot in RAW and often export to TIFF for editing and delivery. Print shops require TIFF files for magazines, packaging, and large-format printing. Archives and museums use TIFF for preserving historical images without degradation.

The trade-off is file size. TIFF files are significantly larger than JPEG or PNG files because they retain all image information. A single high-resolution TIFF can easily exceed 100MB, which is why web-based tools like Figma don't support them by default.

Quick Guide

Here's the express method to convert TIFF to Figma in under a minute:

Open Figma and run the image.to.design plugin
Drag and drop your TIFF file into the plugin window (or click to browse)
Select the import type (image or editable layers) and hit import
Edit, resize, or use the image in your designs

That's it. Your TIFF file is now a native Figma layer ready for editing.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Step 1: Open Figma and Launch the Plugin

Start by opening the Figma file where you want to import your TIFF image. Click the search icon in the bottom toolbar or access the Resources panel. Search for "image.to.design" and run the plugin. The plugin window will open inside your Figma workspace.

If you haven't installed image.to.design yet, you can find it in the Figma Community. Click "Open in..." to add it to your plugins.

Step 2: Upload Your TIFF File

With the plugin window open, you have two options for uploading your TIFF file. You can drag and drop the .tiff or .tif file directly into the plugin interface. Alternatively, click the browse button to open your file explorer and select the TIFF file from your computer.

The plugin accepts TIFF files of various sizes. Larger files with higher resolutions may take slightly longer to process, but the plugin handles them without issue.

Step 3: Select your output

Once you upload your file, select your outpt (inage or editable layers) and image.to.design begins converting the TIFF into a Figma-compatible format. This process happens automatically. The plugin optimizes the image for use in Figma while preserving the original quality and resolution (image larger than 4096x4096 will be downsized to 4096.

For most TIFF files, this takes just a few seconds.

image.to.design also allows to convert any image into Figma editable layers.

Step 4: Import to Your Canvas

After conversion completes, the image appears on your Figma canvas as a standard image layer. The plugin places the imported TIFF at the center of your current viewport, ready for positioning.

The imported image retains the original dimensions of your TIFF file, up to 4096x4096. You can verify this by selecting the layer and checking the width and height values in the right-hand properties panel.

Step 5: Edit and Use Your Image

Your TIFF is now a fully editable Figma layer. You can resize it using the corner handles, apply masks to crop specific areas, adjust opacity for layering effects, add Figma effects like drop shadows or blurs, and place it within frames or components.

The image behaves exactly like any other raster image in Figma. You can duplicate it, export it in different formats, or use it as a fill for shapes.

What Happens During Import

When you import a TIFF file into Figma using image.to.design, the plugin performs several operations to ensure compatibility while maintaining quality.

Resolution Preservation — The plugin keeps the full resolution of your original TIFF, up to Figma’s maximum image size (4096x4096). if the resolution is higher than Figma’s limit it will be downsized to 4096.

Color Accuracy — TIFF files often contain rich color information, especially those from professional photography workflows using wide color gamuts. The plugin maintains this color data as much as possible during conversion, ensuring your images look as intended.

Format Conversion — Behind the scenes, the plugin converts your TIFF to a format Figma can render natively. This conversion is optimized to balance file performance with visual quality.

Layer Flattening — TIFF files can contain multiple layers, similar to PSD files. During import, these layers flatten into a single image layer. If you need to preserve layer structure, consider using psd.to.design for layered Photoshop files instead.

Transparency Handling — TIFF files with alpha channels (transparency) import with the transparency preserved where possible. However, some complex transparency configurations may flatten to a solid background.

Why Import TIFF to Figma This Way

Without a plugin, getting a TIFF into Figma means opening it in Photoshop or Preview, exporting to PNG or JPEG, then importing that file into Figma. That's three steps minimum, plus the quality decisions along the way. Here's why the plugin approach is better.

Skip the Conversion Dance — Without a plugin, importing TIFF files into Figma means opening the file in Photoshop, Preview, or an online converter, exporting to PNG or JPEG, then dragging that into Figma. image.to.design cuts this to one step.

Stop Wasting Time — If you work with photography or print assets regularly, manual conversions add up. Each one takes 2-3 minutes. Multiply that by dozens of images per project.

Use What Clients Send — Photographers and print shops deliver in TIFF because it's the professional standard. Import their files directly instead of asking for conversions or doing them yourself.

Stay in Figma — No app-switching, no converter downloads cluttering your desktop, no confusion about which file version is current.

Related Guides

Working with other file formats Figma doesn't support? These guides cover similar workflows:

For a complete overview of importing unsupported image formats, read How to import ANY image format into Figma. This guide covers HEIC (iPhone photos), WebP, AVIF, JPEG XL, RAW camera files, and more.

Working with Adobe files? Check out these guides:

Converting PSD to Figma using psd.to.design — import Photoshop files with layers intact
From Adobe Illustrator to Figma using illustrator.to.design — convert vector artwork to editable Figma layers
How to import EPS files into Figma using eps.to.design — bring legacy vector files into your workflow

Conclusion

TIFF files work in Figma—you just need image.to.design. Drag in your file, and it lands on your canvas ready to use. No quality loss, no format juggling, no extra tools.

Search for image.to.design in the Figma Community and start importing your first TIFF file today. For support with over 30 additional file formats—including PDFs, Office documents, Adobe files, and more—visit anything.to.design.

FAQ

Q: Does Figma support TIFF files natively?

No. Figma only supports PNG, JPG, GIF, and SVG for image imports. To import TIFF files into Figma, you need a plugin like image.to.design, or use Figma in a Safari browser.

Q: Will my TIFF file lose quality when imported?

No. The image.to.design plugin preserves the full resolution and color accuracy of your original TIFF file during the import process, up to Figma’s maximum 4096x4096 image resolution.

Q: Can I import multi-page TIFF files?

Yes. Multi-page TIFF files import with each page as a separate layer on your Figma canvas, keeping your assets organized.