Figures decide fate: 7 image traps behind desk rejections (and how to pass)

Reading time ~10 minutes · Updated August 5, 2025

Composite figure grid on dark background—image checks and integrity
TL;DR: Editors run fast figure checks before they commit reviewer time. Rejections often come from resolution and size errors, wrong file formats, color/contrast issues, missing scale bars, messy composite panels, and integrity red flags. We standardize exports, fix panels, and produce an integrity-clean figure set—typically in 24 hours for up to six figures.
Contents

Why figures trigger desk rejections

Figures are the fastest quality proxy a journal has. If images fail basic checks, editors cannot trust the rest of the package. Passing early image checks buys goodwill for the science itself.

The 7 traps and how to avoid them

1) DPI and scaling

  • Export at native size; avoid scaling in Word or the portal.
  • Raster images: 300 dpi for print; line art may require 600–1200 dpi.
  • Never upsample a small image—re-export from source.

2) Wrong width

  • Match the journal’s single-column and double-column widths (e.g., ~85 mm vs ~180 mm).
  • Keep labels readable at print size; test at 100 % zoom.

3) File formats & fonts

  • Raster photos/plots: TIFF or PNG; vector line art: PDF/SVG/EPS.
  • Embed fonts; avoid text rasterization when exporting vectors.

4) Color & accessibility

  • Use color-blind-safe palettes; avoid red/green pairs without redundancy.
  • Ensure contrast; thin lines become invisible in print.

5) Scale bars & units

  • Every micrograph needs a scale bar and unit in the caption.
  • Verify that the bar length matches the magnification.

6) Composite panels

  • Consistent panel lettering (A, B, C…), spacing, and alignment.
  • Captions are self-contained; symbols and abbreviations defined.

7) Integrity red flags

  • No selective enhancement; apply brightness/contrast uniformly.
  • No cloning or splicing without explicit demarcation.
  • Keep original files; be ready to provide raw data on request.

Export presets that prevent errors

Preset name            Size (w)   DPI   Format   Use
JNL_Single_85mm_300    85 mm      300   TIFF    Single-column photos/plots
JNL_Double_180mm_300   180 mm     300   TIFF    Double-column photos/plots
JNL_LineArt_85mm_600   85 mm      600   PDF     Single-column line art/vector
JNL_LineArt_180mm_600  180 mm     600   PDF     Double-column line art/vector

Adopt a file naming rule such as Fig1A_single_85mm_300dpi.tif so audits are mechanical.

30-minute figure audit (run today)

  1. Open at print size: 100 % zoom. Check label legibility and line weights.
  2. Check metadata: width matches single/double-column; DPI ≥ required.
  3. Run a contrast pass: overlay for color-blind safety or add a redundant marker.
  4. Scale bars: confirm length and add units in captions.
  5. Composite hygiene: align panels; unify lettering and spacing.

One-day rescue plan

  1. Morning: Lock target widths; re-export from source using presets.
  2. Midday: Redraw weak lines/text in vector; embed fonts; fix color palette.
  3. Afternoon: Add scale bars; rewrite captions to be stand-alone; rebuild composites.
  4. Evening: Final audit at print size; package as per journal portal rules.
Need help? We can audit and standardize up to six figures in 24 hours, deliver export-ready files, and return an integrity checklist for the rest of your set. Fix my figures

Tags: Figures Image integrity Formatting