www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Publishing Figures:Eight Tips for Achieving
High-Quality Results
A training resource of the ISMTE
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
This video will provide you with the basics of good figure design
and publication.
An accompanying comprehensive supplemental guide will
provide you with additional details and information.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Tip 1: Acceptable File Types
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Make life easy:
Ensure that you receive figures in an acceptable file type.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Acceptable file types include:
• EPS• JPEG• TIFF
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
If you plan on editing the figures you receive, you’ll want authors to submit them in the EPS format.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Tip 2:Clear, Data-Focused Graphics with
No Visual Distractions
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Graphics should be clear, with well-presented data.
Authors often overemphasize key points using distracting
elements.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
What Are Distracting Elements?
• Extra boxes
• Too many colors
• Boldface
• Italics
• Underlining
• Multiple fonts
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Ask your reviewers and editors: Keep an eye out for distracting
elements and provide feedback to authors when necessary.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Figure 1Figure 1
Example of visually distracting figure
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Example of visually clear figure
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Tip 3: Proper Resolution
Additional information on resolution is included in the supplemental guide.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
What is Resolution?
• Resolution is the number of points of information, also known as pixels, used to display an image.
• The higher the resolution, the crisper the image.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Resolution for Print vs. Screen Viewing
• Resolution needed for print =
at least 300 ppi
• Resolution needed for screen =
100 ppi
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
300 ppi100 ppi
Print View
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Tip 4: Preferred Color Modes
Additional information on color modes is included in the supplemental guide.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
RGB (Red, Green,
Blue)
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta,
Yellow, Black)
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
RGB vs. CMYK• RGB: Used by computer monitors, video screens, digital
cameras, and other technologies through which light is emitted
• CMYK: Simulates the four-color printing process used by commercial printersUnpredictable results when printed
Predictable results when printed
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Our recommendation: Always use CMYK for print;
RGB is fine for online-only figures.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Tip 5: Font Legibility
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Authors often use tiny font sizes to pack data into figures.
Require font size to be at least 6 points or greater.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Font is too small Font is appropriately sized
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Tip 6: Consistent Style Across
All Figures
Additional information on figure style is included in the supplemental guide.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
How to Ensure aConsistent Style
• Use uniform labels, line weights, fonts, scientific notation, and other style elements across all figures.
• Develop a style internally and include the style points in your instructions to authors.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Example of style that is not visually cohesive
Manuscript 1 Manuscript 2
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Example of style that is visually cohesive
Manuscript 1 Manuscript 2
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Tip 7: Proper Page Composition
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Figures should be appropriately sized—not too large or too small.
Space around figures should be efficiently used.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Proper Composition Results in:
• A professional look
• Efficient use of space
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Unused space
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
How to Achieve Proper Page Composition
• Review all article proofs and ask your designer or compositor to make adjustments when necessary.
• Resize all figures internally prior to submitting them for production.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Tip 8: Good Communication With
Your Authors
Additional information on communicating with authors is included in the supplemental guide.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Communicate your guidelines early and often.
Set expectations.
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Information for Authors
Manuscript Tracking Systems
Decision Letters
www.ismte.orgISMTE © 2010
Thank you for watching.Be sure to read the accompanying supplemental guide.
Sarah L. Williamson, MA, and Lindsey M. Brounstein contributed significant expertise to the development of this video. Erin C. Dubnansky managed the project, edited the content, and recorded the audio. The 2010-2011 ISMTE Training Committee (Erin Dubnansky, Chair, Kathy Brister, Maggie Haworth, Glenn Landis, and Maru Tapia) conceived of, contributed expertise to, and oversaw the project.
Ms. Williamson is the Senior Medical Illustrator at the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) in Bethesda, Maryland. She has a master of arts in medical illustration from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and a background in biology and fine art. She has been producing medical illustrations and scientific graphics since 1999.
Ms. Brounstein is the Publications and Graphics Coordinator at the AGA. She oversees the figure redraw process for Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, and works with authors to provide high-quality images for their publications. She has worked for the AGA since 2007.
Ms. Dubnansky is the Senior Director of Scholarly Publishing at the AGA. She oversees the financial operations; editorial processes, development, and review; marketing; and implementation of new initiatives for the AGA’s scholarly periodicals.