--- name: elife-figure-guide description: "eLife figure preparation: file formats (TIFF/EPS/PDF), striking image requirements (1800x900 px), figure supplement naming, and image screening policy treating selective enhancement as misconduct." license: CC-BY-4.0 compatibility: Python 3.10+, Pillow, Matplotlib metadata: authors: HITS version: "1.0" --- # eLife Figure Preparation Guide ## Overview This guide provides the complete specifications for preparing figures for submission to **eLife**. eLife is known for its open-access model, **figure supplement system**, **striking image requirements**, and a **strict image screening policy** where selective enhancement of scientific images is treated as research misconduct. **Official reference**: https://elife-rp.msubmit.net/html/elife-rp_author_instructions.html --- ## Resolution Requirements | Image Type | Minimum Resolution | |---|---| | Striking images | **1800 x 900 pixels** minimum | | Regular figures | No strict DPI mandate (standard 300 DPI recommended) | ```python from PIL import Image def check_elife_resolution(image_path, is_striking=False): """Check if image meets eLife resolution requirements. Args: is_striking: True for striking/graphical abstract images """ img = Image.open(image_path) w, h = img.size dpi = img.info.get('dpi', (72, 72)) print(f"Dimensions: {w} x {h} px") print(f"DPI: {dpi[0]} x {dpi[1]}") if is_striking: if w >= 1800 and h >= 900: print("PASS: Meets striking image minimum (1800x900 px)") return True else: print(f"FAIL: Striking image needs 1800x900 px, got {w}x{h}") return False else: if dpi[0] >= 300: print("PASS: Resolution meets standard (300+ DPI)") else: print(f"NOTE: DPI is {dpi[0]}; 300+ DPI recommended") return True ``` --- ## File Format ### Regular Figures | Format | Accepted | |---|---| | **TIFF** | Yes | | **EPS** | Yes | | **PDF** | Yes | | **JPEG / JPG** | Yes | | **GIF** | Yes | | **PS** (PostScript) | Yes | | **RTF** | Yes | | **Microsoft Excel** | Yes (for data-based figures) | | **CorelDraw** | Yes | ### Striking Images | Format | Recommended | |---|---| | **PNG** | Yes (preferred) | | **TIFF** | Yes | | **JPEG** | Yes | --- ## Figure Size and Dimensions ### Striking Images (Graphical Abstract) - Minimum: **1800 x 900 pixels** - Format: **Landscape orientation** - Composed of **1-2 panels maximum** - **No labels or text** should be included ### Regular Figures - Each figure uploaded as an **individual file** - No specific column width requirements published --- ## Color Mode - No explicit RGB/CMYK mandate in published guidelines - Follow standard practice: RGB for digital submission --- ## Font Requirements ### Striking Images - **No labels or text** should be included in striking images ### Regular Figures - No strict font specifications published - Follow standard scientific figure conventions (sans-serif, 6-8 pt) ```python import matplotlib.pyplot as plt def set_elife_fonts(): """Configure Matplotlib with standard settings for eLife.""" plt.rcParams.update({ 'font.family': 'sans-serif', 'font.sans-serif': ['Helvetica', 'Arial'], 'font.size': 7, 'axes.labelsize': 7, 'axes.titlesize': 8, 'xtick.labelsize': 6, 'ytick.labelsize': 6, 'legend.fontsize': 6, }) ``` --- ## Labeling Conventions ### Figure Supplements (eLife-Specific System) eLife uses a unique **figure supplement** system instead of traditional supplementary figures: - Format: `Figure 1--Figure Supplement 1`, `Figure 1--Figure Supplement 2`, etc. - Each supplement should have a **short title** and an optional legend - Supplements are linked to their parent figure in the publication ### Striking Images - Must NOT contain any labels or text - Limited to 1-2 panels ```python def generate_elife_supplement_names(main_figure_num, n_supplements): """Generate eLife figure supplement naming. Args: main_figure_num: The main figure number (1, 2, 3, ...) n_supplements: Number of supplements for this figure Returns: List of supplement name strings """ names = [] for i in range(1, n_supplements + 1): names.append(f"Figure {main_figure_num}--Figure Supplement {i}") return names # Example supplements = generate_elife_supplement_names(3, 4) for s in supplements: print(s) # Output: # Figure 3--Figure Supplement 1 # Figure 3--Figure Supplement 2 # Figure 3--Figure Supplement 3 # Figure 3--Figure Supplement 4 ``` --- ## Image Integrity and Manipulation Policy ### CRITICAL: eLife Screens Images Routinely eLife **routinely screens submitted images** for inappropriate digital processing. This is not a random check — it is a systematic process. ### PROHIBITED - Enhancing, obscuring, moving, removing, or introducing any specific feature within an image - **Selective enhancement constitutes research misconduct** - Example: Adjusting the intensity of a single band in a blot = **misconduct** ### PERMITTED - Brightness, contrast, and color balance adjustments applied **equally across the entire image** - Adjustments must NOT obscure or eliminate information present in the original ### Consequences - Inappropriate image manipulation may result in: - Manuscript rejection - Investigation by the author's institution - Public correction or retraction of published articles --- ## Python Quick Start: Full Validation ```python from PIL import Image import os def validate_elife_figure(image_path, is_striking=False): """Full validation of a figure against eLife requirements.""" img = Image.open(image_path) issues = [] w, h = img.size # 1. Striking image checks if is_striking: if w < 1800 or h < 900: issues.append(f"Striking image: {w}x{h} px below 1800x900 minimum") if w < h: issues.append("Striking image should be landscape orientation") # 2. Resolution check (standard recommendation) dpi = img.info.get('dpi', (72, 72)) if not is_striking and dpi[0] < 300: issues.append(f"Resolution {dpi[0]} DPI; 300+ DPI recommended") # 3. Format check fmt = img.format accepted = ['TIFF', 'JPEG', 'PNG', 'EPS', 'PDF', 'GIF'] if fmt and fmt.upper() not in accepted: issues.append(f"Format '{fmt}' may not be standard") if is_striking: striking_formats = ['PNG', 'TIFF', 'JPEG'] if fmt and fmt.upper() not in striking_formats: issues.append(f"Striking image: prefer PNG, TIFF, or JPEG (got {fmt})") # Report print(f"=== eLife Figure Validation {'(Striking)' if is_striking else ''} ===") print(f"Dimensions: {w} x {h} px") print(f"DPI: {dpi[0]} x {dpi[1]}") print(f"Color mode: {img.mode}") print(f"Format: {fmt}") if issues: print(f"\nISSUES FOUND ({len(issues)}):") for issue in issues: print(f" - {issue}") else: print("\nAll checks PASSED") print("\nWARNING: eLife routinely screens images for manipulation") print("Selective enhancement (e.g., single band intensity) = MISCONDUCT") return len(issues) == 0 ``` --- ## Key Concepts ### Figure Supplement System eLife replaces traditional supplementary figures with a linked figure supplement system. Supplements are named "Figure X--Figure Supplement Y" and are directly associated with their parent figure in the publication. Each supplement requires a short title and optional legend. This system improves discoverability compared to buried supplementary files. ### Striking Image Requirements eLife requires a striking image (graphical abstract) with specific constraints: minimum 1800 x 900 pixels, landscape orientation, 1-2 panels maximum, and no labels or text. This image appears prominently in article listings and social media. It must be a standalone visual that conveys the paper's main finding. ### Routine Image Screening Policy eLife routinely screens all submitted images for inappropriate digital processing. This is systematic, not random. Selective enhancement of any part of a scientific image (e.g., adjusting intensity of a single band in a blot) is treated as research misconduct and may result in rejection, institutional investigation, or retraction. ## Decision Framework ``` What type of figure are you preparing? ├── Striking image (graphical abstract) │ ├── Dimensions: 1800 x 900 px minimum, landscape │ ├── Format: PNG (preferred), TIFF, or JPEG │ └── Content: No text, no labels, 1-2 panels max ├── Main figure │ ├── Standard format: TIFF, EPS, PDF, JPEG │ └── Upload as individual file └── Figure supplement ├── Naming: "Figure X--Figure Supplement Y" ├── Include short title └── Same format requirements as main figures ``` | Scenario | Format | Resolution | Notes | |---|---|---|---| | Striking image | PNG | 1800 x 900 px minimum | No text or labels | | Western blot | TIFF | 300+ DPI | Will be screened for manipulation | | Graph or chart | EPS or PDF | Vector | Individual file upload | | Micrograph | TIFF | 300+ DPI | Uniform adjustments only | | Supplementary panel | Same as main | Same as main | Name as "Figure X--Figure Supplement Y" | | Data from Excel | Excel (.xlsx) | N/A | Accepted for data-based figures | ## Best Practices 1. **Prepare striking images without any text**: eLife strictly prohibits labels or text in striking images. The image must communicate visually without words 2. **Use the figure supplement system correctly**: Name supplements using the exact format "Figure X--Figure Supplement Y" with double hyphens. Include a short descriptive title for each 3. **Apply all adjustments uniformly to entire images**: eLife's screening software detects selective enhancement. Any brightness/contrast change must cover the whole image 4. **Maintain original unprocessed data**: Given eLife's screening policy, having originals available demonstrates integrity and speeds up any inquiries 5. **Submit each figure as an individual file**: Do not combine multiple figures into a single file. Each figure gets its own upload 6. **Use landscape orientation for striking images**: Portrait-oriented striking images do not meet eLife's requirements. Ensure width exceeds height with minimum 1800 x 900 pixels 7. **Describe all processing in Methods**: Document every image processing step (software used, adjustments applied) to preempt screening concerns ## Common Pitfalls 1. **Adding text or labels to striking images**: Any text in the striking image violates eLife requirements - *How to avoid*: Create a purely visual composition; remove all annotations, labels, and text overlays 2. **Selectively enhancing parts of scientific images**: Adjusting one region (e.g., a single gel lane) while leaving others unchanged is treated as misconduct - *How to avoid*: Apply all brightness, contrast, and color adjustments to the entire image uniformly 3. **Using incorrect figure supplement naming**: Missing the double-hyphen format or incorrect numbering breaks the linking system - *How to avoid*: Use the exact format "Figure X--Figure Supplement Y" with double hyphens (--) and sequential numbering 4. **Submitting striking images below minimum size**: Images under 1800 x 900 pixels are rejected - *How to avoid*: Check pixel dimensions before upload; create striking images at or above the minimum 5. **Submitting portrait-oriented striking images**: eLife requires landscape orientation for striking images - *How to avoid*: Ensure width (1800+ px) exceeds height (900+ px) in the final composition ## Pre-Submission Checklist Before submitting figures to eLife, verify: - [ ] Striking image: minimum 1800 x 900 px, landscape, no text/labels - [ ] Striking image format: PNG, TIFF, or JPEG - [ ] Regular figures: 300+ DPI recommended - [ ] File format: TIFF, EPS, PDF, JPEG, or other accepted format - [ ] Each figure uploaded as individual file - [ ] Figure supplements named: "Figure X--Figure Supplement Y" - [ ] Each supplement has a short title - [ ] **No selective enhancement** of any image region - [ ] All brightness/contrast adjustments applied to entire image - [ ] Adjustments do not obscure or eliminate original information - [ ] Original unprocessed data retained - [ ] Aware that eLife routinely screens images for manipulation --- ## References - eLife Author Guide: https://elife-rp.msubmit.net/html/elife-rp_author_instructions.html - eLife Image Screening Policy: https://elifesciences.org/inside-elife/77dd2808/taking-a-closer-look-screening-of-images - eLife Submission Guidelines: https://reviewer.elifesciences.org/author-guide/full