Figures

Figures should be submitted for review as high-resolution (600 dots per inch [dpi]) JPEG or TIFF files. Be prepared to submit final figures in the native, editable format (e.g., Excel files for figures created in Microsoft Excel) during production editing (after the article has been accepted for publication). Figure revisions may be required during review or production editing. Number figures consecutively in the text; if an article has only 1 figure, do not number it. References in figures are ordered according to the first citation of the figure in text. Submit multiple panels as individual files. Do not submit mulpanel panels.  Place figure captions in manuscript after tables.

Figure Formatting

Figures are usually printed at 1 column width, or 3.3” (8.4 cm); text should be set in Arial at a size that will be legible at that width (do not use boldface). Rarely, if a figure is wide and short, it may be presented at the width of 2 columns (6.7”).

If the figure contains text submit it as an Excel 2003 compatible (.xls) file or a PowerPoint 2003 compatible (.ppt) file. When uploading Excel files, omit the data; include only the chart or graph.  Omit unnecessary boxes and borders in graphs. Capitalize only the first letter of the first word of an axis title, label, or key entry, and omit unnecessary words (%, not “Percent of total”). Align all text horizontally except labels on vertical axes.

Submit maps as .jpg or .tif files. If the figure does not have text, i.e., is a photograph, submit as a .jpg or .tif with a minimum 600 dpi resolution and minimum width of 990 pixels.

Use of Color in Figures

Graphs and line art should be set in black and white (or grayscale). If color is essential to the meaning of the figure, additional colors may be used in the following order: red, blue, green, gold, purple, orange, brown, dark pink. Avoid light or pastel colors. Color can never be used in letters; however, a color version of a black-and-white print figure may be provided online.

Legends

Figure legends should be self-explanatory and should stand alone. Capitalize the first letter of the legend and include a period at the end. Place a minimum of text in the figure and use the legend for lengthier explanations. Place the legend in the article’s text file, after references and tables. Spell out terms even if they have been introduced in the text. Terms may be abbreviated in the figure if they are defined in the legend.

Videos

Submit as AVI, MOV, MPG, MPEG, and WMV. Videos should not exceed 5 minutes in length and should include an audio description and complete captioning. If audio is not available, provide a description of the action in the video as a separate Word file published or copyrighted material (e.g., music) is discouraged and must be accompanied by written release. If video is part of a manuscript, files must be uploaded with manuscript submission. When uploading, choose “Video” file. Include a brief video legend in the manuscript file. Place the legend after references, tables, and figure legends. Spell out terms used in the video even if they have been introduced in the text.

Additional Information:

Manuscript preparation: Figures
Formatting Tables

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