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Journal-Specific Figure Requirements

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Journal-Specific Figure Requirements

Overview

Different journals have specific technical requirements for figures. This reference compiles common requirements from major scientific publishers. Always check the specific journal's author guidelines for the most current requirements.

Nature Portfolio (Nature, Nature Methods, etc.)

Technical Specifications

  • File formats:

    • Vector: PDF, EPS, AI (preferred for graphs)
    • Raster: TIFF, PNG (for images)
    • Never: PowerPoint, Word, JPEG

  • Resolution:

    • Line art: 1000-1200 DPI
    • Combination (line art + images): 600 DPI
    • Photographs/microscopy: 300 DPI minimum

  • Color space: RGB (Nature is digital-first)

  • Dimensions:

    • Single column: 89 mm (3.5 inches)
    • 1.5 column: 120 mm (4.7 inches)
    • Double column: 183 mm (7.2 inches)
    • Maximum height: 247 mm (9.7 inches)

  • Fonts:

    • Arial or Helvetica (or similar sans-serif)
    • Minimum 5-7 pt at final size
    • Embed all fonts in PDF/EPS

Nature Specific Guidelines

  • Panel labels: a, b, c (lowercase, bold) in top-left corner
  • Scale bars required for microscopy images
  • Gel images: Include molecular weight markers
  • Cropping: Indicate with line breaks
  • Statistics: Mark significance; define symbols in legend
  • Source data: Required for all graphs

File Naming

Format: FirstAuthorLastName_FigureNumber.ext Example: Smith_Fig1.pdf

Science (AAAS)

Technical Specifications

  • File formats:

    • Vector: EPS, PDF (preferred)
    • Raster: TIFF
    • Acceptable: AI, PSD (Photoshop)

  • Resolution:

    • Line art: 1000 DPI minimum
    • Photographs: 300 DPI minimum
    • Combination: 600 DPI minimum

  • Color space: RGB

  • Dimensions:

    • Single column: 5.5 cm (2.17 inches)
    • 1.5 column: 12 cm (4.72 inches)
    • Full width: 17.5 cm (6.89 inches)
    • Maximum height: 23.3 cm (9.17 inches)

  • Fonts:

    • Helvetica (or Arial)
    • 6-8 pt minimum at final size
    • Consistent across all figures

Science Specific Guidelines

  • Panel labels: (A), (B), (C) in parentheses
  • Minimal text within figures (details in caption)
  • High contrast for web and print
  • Error bars required; define in caption
  • Avoid excessive whitespace

File Naming

Format: Manuscript#_Fig#.ext Example: abn1234_Fig1.eps

Cell Press (Cell, Neuron, Molecular Cell, etc.)

Technical Specifications

  • File formats:

    • Vector: PDF, EPS (preferred for graphs/diagrams)
    • Raster: TIFF (for photographs)

  • Resolution:

    • Line art: 1000 DPI
    • Photographs: 300 DPI
    • Combination: 600 DPI

  • Color space: RGB

  • Dimensions:

    • Single column: 85 mm (3.35 inches)
    • Double column: 178 mm (7.01 inches)
    • Maximum height: 230 mm (9.06 inches)

  • Fonts:

    • Arial or Helvetica only
    • 8-12 pt for axis labels
    • 6-8 pt for tick labels

Cell Press Specific Guidelines

  • Panel labels: (A), (B), (C) or A, B, C in top-left
  • Related panels should match in size
  • Scale bars mandatory for microscopy
  • Western blots: Include molecular weight markers
  • Arrows/arrowheads: 2 pt minimum width
  • Line widths: 1-2 pt for data

PLOS (Public Library of Science)

Technical Specifications

  • File formats:

    • Vector: EPS, PDF (preferred)
    • Raster: TIFF, PNG
    • TIFF with LZW compression acceptable

  • Resolution:

    • Minimum 300 DPI at final size (all figure types)
    • 600 DPI preferred for line art

  • Color space: RGB

  • Dimensions:

    • Single column: 8.3 cm (3.27 inches)
    • 1.5 column: 11.4 cm (4.49 inches)
    • Double column: 17.3 cm (6.81 inches)
    • Maximum height: 23.3 cm (9.17 inches)

  • Fonts:

    • Sans-serif preferred (Arial, Helvetica)
    • 8-12 pt for labels at final size

PLOS Specific Guidelines

  • Figures should be understandable without caption
  • Color required only if adding information
  • All figures convertible to grayscale
  • Panel labels optional but recommended
  • Open access: Figures must be CC-BY licensed
  • Source data files encouraged

ACS (American Chemical Society)

Technical Specifications

  • File formats:

    • Preferred: TIFF, PDF, EPS
    • Application files: AI, CDX (ChemDraw), CDL
    • Acceptable: PNG (not for publication)

  • Resolution:

    • Minimum 300 DPI at final size
    • 600 DPI for line art and chemical structures
    • 1200 DPI for detailed structures

  • Color space: RGB or CMYK (check specific journal)

  • Dimensions:

    • Single column: 3.25 inches (8.25 cm)
    • Double column: 7 inches (17.78 cm)

  • Fonts:

    • Embedded fonts required
    • Consistent sizing across figures

ACS Specific Guidelines

  • Chemical structures: Use ChemDraw or equivalent
  • Atom labels: 10-12 pt
  • Bond thickness: 2 pt
  • Panel labels: Lowercase bold (a, b, c)
  • High contrast required (many ACS journals grayscale print)

Elsevier Journals (varies by journal)

Technical Specifications

  • File formats:

    • Vector: EPS, PDF
    • Raster: TIFF, JPEG (only for photographs)

  • Resolution:

    • Line art: 1000 DPI minimum
    • Photographs: 300 DPI minimum
    • Combination: 600 DPI minimum

  • Color space: RGB (for online); CMYK (for print journals)

  • Dimensions: Vary by journal

    • Common single column: 90 mm
    • Common double column: 190 mm

  • Fonts:

    • Preferred: Arial, Times, Symbol
    • Minimum 6 pt at final size

Elsevier Specific Guidelines

  • Check individual journal guidelines (highly variable)
  • Some journals charge for color in print
  • Panel labels typically (A), (B), (C) or A, B, C
  • Graphical abstract often required (separate from figures)

IEEE (Engineering/Computer Science)

Technical Specifications

  • File formats:

    • Vector: PDF, EPS (preferred)
    • Raster: TIFF, PNG

  • Resolution:

    • Photographs/graphics: 300 DPI minimum at final size
    • Line art: 600 DPI minimum

  • Color space: RGB (online); CMYK (print)

  • Dimensions:

    • Single column: 3.5 inches (8.9 cm)
    • Double column: 7.16 inches (18.2 cm)

  • Fonts:

    • Sans-serif preferred
    • Minimum 8-10 pt at final size

IEEE Specific Guidelines

  • Figures should be readable in black and white
  • Color figures incur no charge (online publication)
  • Panel labels: (a), (b), (c) in lowercase
  • Captions below figures (not on separate page)
  • Use IEEE graphics checker tool before submission

BMC (BioMed Central) - Open Access

Technical Specifications

  • File formats:

    • Any standard format accepted
    • Preferred: TIFF, PDF, EPS, PNG

  • Resolution:

    • Minimum 600 DPI for line art
    • Minimum 300 DPI for photographs

  • Color space: RGB

  • Dimensions:

    • Flexible, but consider readability
    • Maximum width typically 140 mm

  • Fonts:

    • Embedded and readable

BMC Specific Guidelines

  • Open access: CC-BY license required
  • Figure files uploaded separately
  • Panel labels as appropriate for field
  • Source data encouraged
  • Accessibility important (colorblind-friendly)

Common Requirements Across Journals

Universal Best Practices

  1. Never use JPEG for graphs/plots: Compression artifacts
  2. Embed all fonts: In PDF/EPS files
  3. Layer structure: Flatten images (merge layers in Photoshop)
  4. RGB vs CMYK: Most journals now RGB (digital-first)
  5. High resolution: Always better to start high, reduce if needed
  6. Consistency: Same style across all figures in manuscript
  7. File size: Balance quality with reasonable file sizes (typically <10 MB per figure)

Submitting Figures

  • Initial submission: Lower resolution often acceptable (for review)
  • Revision/acceptance: High-resolution required
  • Separate files: Each figure as separate file
  • File naming: Clear, systematic naming
  • Supporting information: May have different requirements

Quick Reference Table

PublisherSingle ColumnDouble ColumnMin DPI (photos)Min DPI (line art)Preferred Format
Nature89 mm183 mm3001000EPS, PDF
Science5.5 cm17.5 cm3001000EPS, PDF
Cell Press85 mm178 mm3001000EPS, PDF
PLOS8.3 cm17.3 cm300600EPS, TIFF
ACS3.25 in7 in300600TIFF, EPS

Checking Requirements

Before Submission Checklist

  1. Read journal's author guidelines (figure section)
  2. Check file format requirements
  3. Verify resolution requirements
  4. Confirm size specifications (width × height)
  5. Check font requirements
  6. Verify color space (RGB vs CMYK)
  7. Check panel labeling style
  8. Review supplementary materials requirements
  9. Confirm file naming conventions
  10. Check file size limits

Useful Tools

  • ImageJ/Fiji: Check/adjust DPI
  • Adobe Acrobat: Verify embedded fonts, check PDF properties
  • GIMP: Free alternative to Photoshop for raster editing
  • Inkscape: Free vector graphics editor

Resources

  • Journal websites: Always check "Author Guidelines" or "Instructions for Authors"
  • Publisher resources: Many provide templates and tools
  • Format conversion: Use reputable tools; check output quality
  • Help desks: Contact journal staff if unclear

Notes

  • Requirements change periodically - always verify current guidelines
  • Preprint servers (bioRxiv, arXiv) often have different requirements
  • Conference proceedings may have separate requirements
  • Some journals offer figure preparation services (often paid)
  • Supplementary figures may have relaxed requirements compared to main text figures