---
name: science-figure-guide
description: "Figure and image preparation guide for Science (AAAS) journal. Covers resolution (150-300+ DPI), file formats (PDF, EPS, TIFF), RGB color mode, Myriad/Helvetica fonts, and strict image manipulation policies including gamma adjustment disclosure."
license: CC-BY-4.0
compatibility: Python 3.10+, Pillow, Matplotlib
metadata:
  authors: HITS
  version: "1.0"
---

# Science (AAAS) Figure Preparation Guide

## Overview

This guide provides the complete specifications for preparing figures for submission to **Science** journal (published by AAAS). Science has different requirements for initial vs. revised manuscript submissions and requires explicit disclosure of nonlinear image adjustments.

**Official reference**: https://www.science.org/content/page/instructions-preparing-initial-manuscript

---

## Resolution Requirements

### Initial Submission

| Image Type | Resolution |
|---|---|
| All figures | **150-300 DPI** |

### Revised Manuscript (Higher Standards)

| Image Type | Minimum Resolution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Line art | **300 DPI+** | At final print size |
| Grayscale and color artwork | **300 DPI+** | Higher resolution preferred |

**CRITICAL**: Upsampling (artificially increasing resolution) is **prohibited**. The resolution must be native to the image.

```python
from PIL import Image

def check_science_resolution(image_path, stage='initial'):
    """Check image resolution for Science submission.

    Args:
        image_path: Path to image file
        stage: 'initial' (150-300 DPI) or 'revised' (300+ DPI)
    """
    img = Image.open(image_path)
    dpi = img.info.get('dpi', (72, 72))

    min_dpi = 150 if stage == 'initial' else 300

    print(f"Stage: {stage} submission")
    print(f"DPI: {dpi[0]} x {dpi[1]}")
    print(f"Minimum required: {min_dpi} DPI")

    if dpi[0] >= min_dpi:
        print("PASS: Resolution meets Science requirements")
    else:
        print(f"FAIL: Need at least {min_dpi} DPI")

    return dpi[0] >= min_dpi
```

---

## File Format

### Revised Manuscript Formats (in order of preference)

| Figure Type | Preferred Formats |
|---|---|
| Vector illustrations/diagrams | **PDF, EPS, Adobe Illustrator (AI)** |
| Raster illustrations/diagrams | **TIFF** (300+ DPI) |
| Photography/microscopy | TIFF, JPEG, PNG, PSD, EPS, PDF |

### Initial Submission
- Figures can be embedded directly in `.docx` or PDF manuscript files

---

## Figure Size and Dimensions

| Layout | Width |
|---|---|
| 1 column | **3.4 inches** (86 mm / 20.38 picas) |
| 1.5 columns | **5.0 inches** |
| 2 columns | **7.0-7.3 inches** |
| Maximum | **6.5 x 8 inches** (16.5 x 20 cm) |

Figures should be sized to fit 8.5" x 11" or A4 paper.

```python
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

SCIENCE_WIDTHS = {
    'single':  3.4,   # inches
    'middle':  5.0,
    'double':  7.3,
}

def create_science_figure(layout='single', aspect_ratio=0.75):
    """Create a Matplotlib figure sized for Science journal."""
    width = SCIENCE_WIDTHS[layout]
    height = min(width * aspect_ratio, 8.0)  # max height 8 inches

    fig, ax = plt.subplots(figsize=(width, height))
    fig.set_dpi(300)
    return fig, ax
```

---

## Color Mode

- **RGB** is the standard practice
- Journal handles CMYK conversion for print
- No explicit color mode mandate, but RGB is recommended

---

## Font Requirements

| Element | Font | Size | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preferred font | **Myriad** | — | Sans-serif |
| Alternative fonts | Helvetica, Arial | — | Sans-serif |
| Panel labels | — | **8 pt** | **Bold** |
| Other figure text | — | 5-7 pt | Max 7 pt, min 5 pt |

### Critical Rules
- **All fonts must be embedded**
- Use sans-serif fonts whenever possible
- Simple solid or open symbols reduce well at small sizes

```python
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt

def set_science_fonts():
    """Configure Matplotlib for Science journal figure fonts."""
    plt.rcParams.update({
        'font.family': 'sans-serif',
        'font.sans-serif': ['Myriad Pro', 'Helvetica', 'Arial'],
        'font.size': 7,
        'axes.labelsize': 7,
        'axes.titlesize': 7,
        'xtick.labelsize': 6,
        'ytick.labelsize': 6,
        'legend.fontsize': 5,
    })
```

---

## Labeling Conventions

### Figure Numbering
- Cite figures in numerical order in the text

### Titles and Captions
- Figure titles go at the **beginning of the caption**, NOT inside the figure
- No single caption should exceed approximately **200 words**

### Axes
- Label ordinate and abscissa with: **parameter/variable**, **units**, and **scale**
- Use sans-serif fonts for all labels

```python
def format_science_axis(ax, xlabel, ylabel, x_unit='', y_unit=''):
    """Format axes following Science journal conventions."""
    if x_unit:
        ax.set_xlabel(f"{xlabel} ({x_unit})", fontsize=7)
    else:
        ax.set_xlabel(xlabel, fontsize=7)

    if y_unit:
        ax.set_ylabel(f"{ylabel} ({y_unit})", fontsize=7)
    else:
        ax.set_ylabel(ylabel, fontsize=7)

    ax.tick_params(labelsize=6)
```

---

## Image Integrity and Manipulation Policy

### PERMITTED
- **Linear adjustments**: Brightness, contrast, color — applied **uniformly to the entire image**

### REQUIRES DISCLOSURE
- **Nonlinear adjustments** (e.g., gamma corrections) must be **specified in the figure caption**

### PROHIBITED
- **Selective enhancement**: Altering one part of an image while leaving other parts unchanged
- Adjustments that cause changes in data interpretation
- Manipulations applied to local areas only

### Best Practices
- Perform all manipulations only on **copies** of unprocessed image data
- Adjustments must be moderate and not misrepresent the data
- All changes must be applied to the **whole image**

---

## Python Quick Start: Full Validation

```python
from PIL import Image
import os

def validate_science_figure(image_path, stage='initial'):
    """Full validation of a figure against Science requirements."""
    img = Image.open(image_path)
    issues = []

    # 1. Resolution check
    dpi = img.info.get('dpi', (72, 72))
    min_dpi = 150 if stage == 'initial' else 300
    if dpi[0] < min_dpi:
        issues.append(f"Resolution {dpi[0]} DPI below minimum {min_dpi} DPI for {stage} submission")

    # 2. Color mode check
    if img.mode not in ('RGB', 'RGBA'):
        issues.append(f"Color mode is {img.mode}; RGB recommended")

    # 3. Dimension check
    if dpi[0] > 0:
        width_in = img.size[0] / dpi[0]
        height_in = img.size[1] / dpi[1]
        if width_in > 7.3:
            issues.append(f"Width {width_in:.1f}\" exceeds maximum 7.3\"")
        if height_in > 8.0:
            issues.append(f"Height {height_in:.1f}\" exceeds maximum 8.0\"")

    # Report
    print(f"=== Science Figure Validation ({stage}) ===")
    print(f"Dimensions: {img.size[0]} x {img.size[1]} px")
    print(f"DPI: {dpi[0]} x {dpi[1]}")
    print(f"Color mode: {img.mode}")

    if issues:
        print(f"\nISSUES FOUND ({len(issues)}):")
        for issue in issues:
            print(f"  - {issue}")
    else:
        print("\nAll checks PASSED")

    return len(issues) == 0
```

---

## Pre-Submission Checklist

Before submitting figures to Science, verify:

- [ ] Initial submission: 150-300 DPI minimum
- [ ] Revised submission: 300+ DPI minimum (no upsampling)
- [ ] Vector figures in PDF, EPS, or AI format
- [ ] Raster figures in TIFF at 300+ DPI
- [ ] Font is Myriad, Helvetica, or Arial (sans-serif)
- [ ] Panel labels at 8 pt bold; text between 5-7 pt
- [ ] All fonts embedded
- [ ] Figure titles in caption, not inside figure
- [ ] Captions under 200 words
- [ ] Axes labeled with parameter, units, and scale
- [ ] All adjustments applied uniformly to entire image
- [ ] Gamma/nonlinear adjustments noted in caption
- [ ] No selective enhancement of image regions
- [ ] Original unprocessed data preserved

---

## References

- Science Initial Manuscript Instructions: https://www.science.org/content/page/instructions-preparing-initial-manuscript
- Science Revised Article Instructions: https://www.science.org/content/page/instructions-authors-revised-research-articles