Journal Figure Preflight
Check a PNG/JPEG against listed journal requirements: format, effective PPI, pixel dimensions and available file-size limits. TIFF/EPS files and complete journal compliance are not verified; the final submission file still needs review.
Min. resolution: 1000 dpi for this figure type · Official guide ↗ · checked 2026-09-17
PNG/JPEG only. TIFF/EPS files and full journal compliance are not verified.
Pick a journal, drop a figure
We check what software can verify — format, effective resolution, dimensions and file size — and list what you still must confirm by eye.
Only the selected PNG/JPEG is checked. This is not a complete compliance assessment or a guarantee of journal acceptance. Recheck the actual submission file after conversion.Journal figure requirements at a glance
Publisher-wide defaults. Individual journals can override them — confirm against the linked official guide before submitting.
| Publisher | Formats | Print widths | Min. dpi (photo / combo / line) | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elsevier journals ↗ | TIFF, JPEG, EPS, PDF | Single column 90mm · 1.5 column 140mm · Double column 190mm | 300 / 500 / 1000 | 2026-09-17 |
| Nature ↗ | TIFF, JPEG, EPS, PDF | Single column 89mm · Double column 183mm | 300 / 600 / 1200 | 2026-09-17 |
| Springer journals ↗ | TIFF, EPS, PDF, JPEG | Single column 84mm · 1.5 column 118mm · Double column 174mm | 300 / 600 / 1200 | 2026-09-17 |
| PLOS ONE ↗ | TIFF, EPS | Minimum width 66.8mm · Maximum width 190.5mm | 300 / 300 / 300 | 2026-09-17 |
| Cell Press journals ↗ | TIFF, EPS, JPEG, PDF | Single column 85mm · Double column 174mm | 300 / 500 / 1000 | 2026-09-17 |
| ACS journals ↗ | TIFF, EPS, PDF, JPEG | Single column (3.25 in) 82.6mm · Double column (7 in) 177.8mm | 300 / 600 / 1200 | 2026-09-17 |
| Science (AAAS) ↗ | TIFF, EPS, PDF | Single column 55mm · Double column 120mm | 300 / 600 / 1200 | 2026-09-17 |
| Wiley journals ↗ | TIFF, EPS, PDF, JPEG | Single column 80mm · Double column 168mm | 300 / 600 / 1200 | 2026-09-17 |
| IEEE journals ↗ | TIFF, EPS, PS, PDF | Column (3.5 in) 88.9mm · Page width (7.16 in) 181.9mm | 300 / 600 / 600 | 2026-09-17 |
| BMJ journals ↗ | TIFF, JPEG, EPS | Single column 84mm · Double column 170mm | 300 / 600 / 600 | 2026-09-17 |
| Taylor & Francis journals ↗ | TIFF, EPS, JPEG | Single column 85mm · Double column 174mm | 300 / 500 / 800 | 2026-09-17 |
| MDPI journals ↗ | TIFF, JPEG, PNG, EPS, PDF | Single column 85mm · Double column 170mm | 300 / 600 / 600 | 2026-09-17 |
| Frontiers journals ↗ | TIFF, JPEG | Single column 85mm · Double column 180mm | 300 / 600 / 600 | 2026-09-17 |
| eLife ↗ | TIFF, JPEG, PNG, PDF | Single column 90mm · Double column 178mm | 300 / 600 / 600 | 2026-09-17 |
What preflight can and cannot verify
Automated checks cover the mechanical rules: format, resolution math, pixel counts, file size. They cannot judge fonts drawn inside the image, whether panel letters sit correctly, RGB versus CMYK handling, or whether data regions were selectively adjusted. Only the selected PNG/JPEG is checked. This is not a complete compliance assessment or a guarantee of journal acceptance. Recheck the actual submission file after conversion.
Frequently asked questions
What does this journal figure preflight check?
For the selected PNG/JPEG only, it checks: whether the file format is accepted, the effective resolution (PPI) at your planned print width against the journal minimum, pixel dimensions, and file size limits. Fonts inside the image, panel-label placement, color mode and data integrity cannot be verified from pixels — those are listed as manual checks.
Is my figure uploaded or sent to an AI?
No. The file is read locally in your browser; image bytes and results are not sent to any server.
My journal requires TIFF or EPS. Can I still use this?
Use a PNG/JPEG copy only as a limited raster-resolution reference. Effective PPI is comparable only if pixel dimensions and intended print size stay unchanged, without resampling. No compliance verdict transfers to TIFF/EPS: inspect the final file for format, compression, color profile, fonts, vector content and embedded-image resolution against the journal instructions.
Are the journal requirements up to date?
Each entry shows a "checked" date and links to the official guide. Publisher-wide defaults are marked; individual journals can override them, so always confirm against your target journal's current instructions.
What is the difference between halftone, combination and line art?
Halftone is continuous-tone imagery (photos, gels, microscopy). Combination adds text or line overlays on top of halftone. Line art is graphs, diagrams and schematics — it usually needs the highest dpi because thin strokes pixelate first.
My figure failed the resolution check. What now?
Re-export from the original source at a larger pixel size, or reduce the planned print width. Upscaling a small file or editing its DPI tag cannot create detail that was never captured.