Image MIME Reference
FACTI
BlockFact Image
image/vnd.blockfact.facti
VS
PWG Raster Format
image/pwg-raster
PWG-Raster
A complete technical comparison of BlockFact Image and PWG Raster Format — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.
Equal browser support
Feature Support
| Feature | FACTI | PWG-Raster |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency (Alpha) | Yes | ✕ No |
| Animation Support | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| Progressive Loading | ✕ No | ✕ No |
| HDR Support | Yes | ✕ No |
| EXIF Metadata | Yes | ✕ No |
| ICC Color Profile | Yes | ✕ No |
BlockFact Image
image/vnd.blockfact.facti
Extension
.facti
Container
BlockFact Authenticated Container
Compression
Container (Inherits payload compression, e.g., JPEG/PNG)
Algorithm
None (Pass-through to embedded payload)
Color Depth
Inherited from payload
Developed by
BlockFact
Released
2025
Magic Bytes
Unknown (Proprietary Container)
PWG Raster Format
image/pwg-raster
Extension
.pwg.ras
Container
CUPS Raster v2 Container
Compression
PackBits (Run-Length Encoding)
Algorithm
PackBits (Apple RLE variant)
Color Depth
1-bit (Monochrome/K), 8-bit (Grayscale), 24-bit (sRGB / Adobe RGB), 32-bit (CMYK)
Developed by
IEEE-ISTO Printer Working Group (PWG)
Released
2011
Magic Bytes
52 61 53 32
Browser Support Comparison
| Browser | FACTI | PWG-Raster |
|---|---|---|
Chrome
|
✕ | ✕ |
Firefox
|
✕ | ✕ |
Safari
|
✕ | ✕ |
Edge
|
✕ | ✕ |
IE (Legacy)
|
✕ | ✕ |
FACTI
FACTI Strengths
- Provides undeniable, mathematically verifiable proof of a photo's origin (time, location, and device) via the StarkNet blockchain [1.3.1]
- Privacy-first design utilizes zero-knowledge proofs (Groth16), meaning the actual image is never uploaded to a central server or blockchain
- Invisible watermarking ensures that even if the image is screenshotted or cropped, tampering can be detected
Limitations
- Lacks native rendering support in web browsers and standard image viewers, requiring specialized software to view
- Requires blockchain registration at the moment of capture, making it incompatible with existing legacy photos
- The proprietary nature of the container limits integration to environments supporting the BlockFact SDK
PWG-Raster
PWG-Raster Strengths
- The undisputed global standard for modern, driverless printing environments, eliminating the nightmare of installing manufacturer-specific print drivers
- Extremely lightweight to decode on embedded hardware, requiring minimal RAM buffers on the printer side
- Strict color space and resolution rules guarantee that the printed output will successfully process without syntax errors
Limitations
- Generates massive file sizes and network payloads compared to vector-based formats like PDF or PostScript, as every page is fully rasterized at 300+ DPI before transmission
- No support for native rendering in web browsers, image viewers, or graphic design software without specialized CUPS developer tools
- Cannot store complex metadata, vector text, or layers
When to choose which format
FACTI
Use FACTI when…
- Journalism and Media Authentication
- Legal and Insurance Evidence
- AI Deepfake Prevention
- Content Provenance and Authorship
PWG-Raster
Use PWG-Raster when…
- Driverless Network Printing (IPP Everywhere)
- Apple AirPrint and Mopria Print Service Pipelines
- CUPS (Common UNIX Printing System) Spooling