tools-only 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
- Never use JPEG for graphs/plots: Compression artifacts
- Embed all fonts: In PDF/EPS files
- Layer structure: Flatten images (merge layers in Photoshop)
- RGB vs CMYK: Most journals now RGB (digital-first)
- High resolution: Always better to start high, reduce if needed
- Consistency: Same style across all figures in manuscript
- 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
| Publisher | Single Column | Double Column | Min DPI (photos) | Min DPI (line art) | Preferred Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature | 89 mm | 183 mm | 300 | 1000 | EPS, PDF |
| Science | 5.5 cm | 17.5 cm | 300 | 1000 | EPS, PDF |
| Cell Press | 85 mm | 178 mm | 300 | 1000 | EPS, PDF |
| PLOS | 8.3 cm | 17.3 cm | 300 | 600 | EPS, TIFF |
| ACS | 3.25 in | 7 in | 300 | 600 | TIFF, EPS |
Checking Requirements
Before Submission Checklist
- Read journal's author guidelines (figure section)
- Check file format requirements
- Verify resolution requirements
- Confirm size specifications (width × height)
- Check font requirements
- Verify color space (RGB vs CMYK)
- Check panel labeling style
- Review supplementary materials requirements
- Confirm file naming conventions
- 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