A digital image that is uncompressed and high-quality, therefore, retaining the best possible color information. It is meant to have lasting utility. Master images are usually saved in a nonproprietary format and kept off-line in a secure environment. Master images are of a higher resolution and quality than the digital image delivered to the user onscreen. An archival master accurately represents the original analog item and has an associated metadata record which provides descriptive, administrative, and technical information concerning the original and digital items.