--- name: elife-figure-guide description: "Figure and image preparation guide for eLife. Covers file formats (TIFF, EPS, PDF), striking image requirements (1800x900 px), figure supplement naming conventions, and routine image screening policy where selective enhancement is treated 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 ``` --- ## 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