Instructions for preparing figures
Publication figure widths are 6.9 cm (one colum), 10.5 cm and 14.3 cm (full page); the maximum height is ~20 cm. Figures exceeding these sizes must withstand size reduction. True resolution of a figure in the published size should be at least 300 dpi.
File formats
TIF or JPG (or .psd, see 'Composite figures' below) for photographs, figures comprising several photographs, and scanned drawings.
Vector graphics supporting formats (mainly EPS, PDF, WMF, EMF, SVG; also .xls(x) and .ai; see instructions below) for graphs, digital drawings, and other computer-generated images.
Composite figures
- Identify parts of a composite figure with capital letters, placed in an empty part of the image (i.e., not on the object depicted in the image), preferably in the upper left corner of each part.
- Figures edited using Adobe Photoshop can be submitted in its native .psd format. Layers within the image should be preserved, i.e., the image should not be flattened.
Computer-generated images (graphs etc.)
- Computer-generated images should always be submitted in vector graphics supporting formats, mainly EPS, PDF, WMF, EMF or SVG.
- Avoid fancy designs (especially 3-D).
- Use solid colours or shades of grey, not pattern fillings.
- Use the same font throughout the figure. Arial is recommended.
- The axes in graphs should be named and units given in parentheses. Axes titles should be placed parallel to the respecive axis.
- Explain the graphic symbols (e.g. squares, triangles and so on) within the figure, not in the caption.
How to save computer-generated images in vector graphic format:
- Figures should be saved/exported directly from the application they have been created with as vector-graphics. Suitable file formats are mainly EPS, PDF, WMF, EMF or SVG. When saving graphics, text should be saved as text, not as outlines or paths.
- Figures that have originally been made with Excel or Adobe Illustrator can be sent to us in their native file formats, .xls(x) and .ai/.eps, respectively.
- If the programme does not offer any of the above-mentioded file formats, it can usually be printed to file (PDF) instead of to a printer.