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+# 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
+1. **Never use JPEG for graphs/plots**: Compression artifacts
+2. **Embed all fonts**: In PDF/EPS files
+3. **Layer structure**: Flatten images (merge layers in Photoshop)
+4. **RGB vs CMYK**: Most journals now RGB (digital-first)
+5. **High resolution**: Always better to start high, reduce if needed
+6. **Consistency**: Same style across all figures in manuscript
+7. **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
+1. Read journal's author guidelines (figure section)
+2. Check file format requirements
+3. Verify resolution requirements
+4. Confirm size specifications (width × height)
+5. Check font requirements
+6. Verify color space (RGB vs CMYK)
+7. Check panel labeling style
+8. Review supplementary materials requirements
+9. Confirm file naming conventions
+10. 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