Artwork Guidelines
Submitting artwork in appropriate formats helps to ensure that the highest possible quality of reproduction can be achieved in both the online and print versions of your article. Our artwork guidelines have been produced to introduce and explain standards and formats when producing artwork for submission. The published work will reflect the quality of the submitted artwork.
High-quality figures convey data and information which is sometimes necessary to increase understanding of the research process and results of your study. If figures are submitted in high quality, it can enhance the reader experience. Digital artwork can be photographs, charts, graphs, diagrams, radiographs, etc. It may be available in its original format, or digitized after scanning an original. The following information should assist you in creating or scanning artwork suitable for print publication.
ARTWORK
Artwork is a figure, diagram, graph or drawing which will accompany a submitted manuscript. Digital artwork is any image created on a computer or via a digital camera; it may originate from digital photos, scanned photos, and scanned slides.
Original images
In order to have good images, they must be created in good quality. There is no way to increase the resolution of a file once it has been created. Set your camera or scanner to its highest resolution before you create your image.
Diagrams, drawings or graphs (line art)
Diagrams, drawings or graphs (line art) are often created in PowerPoint. To supply your file in the best format, import your file into Photoshop and save it as a .tif or .eps file at 1200 dpi.
If you create your file using a program of the Office suite, it will unfortunately result in poor quality files.
How to assess your figure files
The following elements are important upon assessing your figures: size, resolution and colour mode.
Image size
Image size is the actual dimension of your figures. We recommend that you prepare figures for the final publication sizes, which are as follows:
1 column wide (3.3” / 8.5cm)
1.5 columns wide (5” / 12.7cm)
2 columns wide (6.9” / 17.5cm)
The Production Editor of the Journal will decide on the optimal size for your figure.
Image resolution
Resolution is the number of pixels in a given area. The higher the resolution, the sharper your image will print. The resolution for printed formats is the number of dots per inch (dpi), on a video screen it is the number of pixels per inch (ppi). In general, the higher the dpi, the sharper the image will be. For good quality print the resolution should be at least 300 dpi. Do not assume that if your figure displays well on a computer screen it will print as well.
Colour mode
A colour figure should be submitted as CMYK colour mode.As opposed to RGB mode, CMYK is the most faithful method to reproduce colour in print: it mixes 4 colours (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black). RGB is the colour mode used by computer monitors or screens: it mixes 3 colours (Red, Green and Blue) to display all colour combinations. Figures displayed on a screen set to RGB will appear brighter and sharper on video.
Setting the colour mode to CMYK will display on your screen a more faithful preview of the print output of your figure.
How to check your figure for resolution, size and colour mode
You will need Adobe Photoshop.
Resolution and size: Go to Image –> Image size and you will determine the actual resolution and size of your figure.
Colour mode: Go to Image –> Colour mode and you will determine the mode in use (CMYK, RGB, Greyscale, etc).
Creating your artwork
Artwork submitted after scanning an original print-out
It is important to set your scanner correctly:
1. Set the colour mode. You may scan a colour figure in black and white or in colour. Submitting figures in colour indicates that you wish the figure printed in colour and this may incur publication charges. Select the colour mode to CMYK and not to RGB.
2. Set the resolution. You can set the resolution in your scanner software and it is often referred to as dpi (dots per inch). Use a high resolution setting (choose 600-1200) as if you scan your figure using a low resolution you cannot increase it without blurring the image.
3. Set the size. Figures should be sized to fit the width of 1, 1.5, or 2 columns with no extra white or black space surrounding them. You must hide any patient information and mask the face to protect patient’s identity.
4. Name your files. Name figures as follows: corresponding author's last name_figure1.tif, last Name_figure 2.eps, etc.
Artwork created using Excel graphs
1) Print it to pdf setting the highest resolution.
2) Import the pdf in Photoshop.
3) Export the figure as .tif with the appropriate resolution.
4) Name your files. Name figures as follows: corresponding author's last name_figure1.tif, last Name_figure 2.eps, etc.
Artwork created using PowerPoint
1) Save it as .tif. If your image in PowerPoint includes other figures, then each figure must be in high resolution.
2) Name your files. Name figures as follows: corresponding author's last name_figure1.tif, last Name_figure 2.eps, etc.
File types
Digital art files should be saved as .tif or .eps format.
If your only option is to save a file as a .jpg, save it with the least amount of compression (highest quality) setting.
File name
Name figures as follows: corresponding author's last name_figure1.tif, etc.
General suggestions
Crop out any extra white or black space surrounding the image.
Do not use Excel to create artwork.
Do not submit figures saved as .gif files.
Text within figures should be in an acceptable font (Arial is preferred) and sized consistently throughout the artwork using 8-12 pt. type.
Text within figures should be embedded in the file or converted to an outline or path.
For combination halftones (colour figure with b/w text): save and submit at a resolution of at least 600 dpi.
For all artwork: save and submit .tif or .eps files.
Save each figure as a separate file.
Submit composite figures as one figure only, with each part labelled the way it is to appear in print.
Upload figures consecutively following each Journal’s submission instructions.
If your figures have been created with PowerPoint you should first select the option “Save as” and then .tif.
If your graphs have been created using Microsoft Excel you should first save it as pdf, choosing the highest setting, and then importing/opening the pdf with Adobe Photoshop, again choosing the 300 dpi setting and saving your figure as .tif or .eps.
Technical specifications (see attached pdf for examples)
Black and white figure
Create and save in grayscale format and submit at a resolution of at least 300 dpi.
If lettering is included resolution should be 600 dpi.
File type: .tif
Colour figures
Create and save in CMYK format (not RGB).
If no lettering is included, save and submit at a resolution of at least 300 dpi;
if lettering is included resolution should be 600 dpi.
File type: .tif/.eps
Line art
Save and submit at a resolution of at least 1200 dpi.
File type: .tif/.eps
Combination halftones
Grayscale or colour (CMYK) images with type
Save and submit at a resolution of 600-900 dpi.
File type: .tif/.eps