How to Make Scientific Figure

A scientific figure usually combines evidence and explanation: data panels, images, schematics, and concise annotations.

Plan the panels

Decide what each panel proves. Use panel letters only after the layout is stable, and keep panel order aligned with the manuscript argument.

Balance evidence and mechanism

Microscopy, plots, and diagrams should support each other. If the schematic explains the experiment, place it before the result panels.

Standardize labels

Use one font style, one label size hierarchy, and consistent colors across panels. This makes multi-panel figures feel deliberate.

Common mistakes

Avoid mixing unrelated scales, overcrowding legends, and using screenshots that cannot be edited later.

Try it in SciFigure AI

Open AI Drawing and describe the panels you want in order.