Journal Submission Figure Checklist

Before submitting a manuscript, check figures as carefully as the text. Small visual issues can create avoidable reviewer friction or production delays.

Technical checks

Confirm final size, resolution, color mode, and file type against the journal instructions. Keep vector versions when possible, especially for diagrams with labels and arrows.

Readability checks

Print or zoom the figure down to final column width. Labels, legends, and axis text should remain readable. If the figure only works at full screen size, simplify it.

Source files

Keep editable source files organized with the exported PNG, TIFF, SVG, or PDF. A clean export package makes late revisions much less painful.