Journal requirements decoded: a practical compliance playbook

Checklist

• Article type matches the contribution (Original Research, Short Communication, Methods, Data Note, Review, Perspective).
• Scope statement uses the journal’s language (target community, organism/system, methods family).
• Abstract aligns to the article type (structured vs unstructured; limits respected).

Figure specs to set

• Resolution: 300 dpi (raster) for print; line art often higher.
• Dimensions: width in mm/px for single vs double-column.
• Formats: TIFF/PNG (raster), PDF/SVG/EPS (vector).
• Color: RGB for online; CMYK if the journal requires print CMYK.
• Fonts embedded; panel labels readable at print size.
• Captions self-contained; define symbols and abbreviations.

Export tip: save named presets per journal, e.g., JNL_Single_85mm_300dpi.

• Report n, effect size, and variation (CI/SD/SE) per result.
• State test names and two-sided/one-sided choice; check assumptions or use robust alternatives.
• Adjust for multiple comparisons when relevant; declare the plan (preregistered vs exploratory).
• Provide software and version; include code or a DOI where allowed.

• Human/animal ethics approvals and consent language as required.
• Conflict of interest statement (none or disclose specifics).
• Funding statement with grant numbers; role of funder if any.
• Author identifiers (ORCID) and contribution taxonomy (e.g., CRediT).
• Permissions for reused figures/tables where needed.

• Open access route (gold, hybrid, green) and embargo rules.
• APC price, discounts, institutional agreements, or country waivers.
• License options (CC BY, BY-NC, etc.) that match funder mandates.

• Cover letter: fit statement, main claim, delta vs prior work, disclosures.
• Highlights, TOC blurb, keywords: match journal taxonomy.
• Supplementary files labeled and cited in the text.
• Metadata consistency: title, author order, affiliations, corresponding author email.
• Presubmission inquiry if fit is uncertain; include 150-word pitch plus two similar recent papers.

Use this as a living checklist during formatting. Keep sentences brief in the table; details remain in the manuscript and captions.

Journal: [Name]      Article type: [Type]      Version: [Date]

LIMITS
- Words: [max]          - Figures: [max]            - Tables: [max]
- References: [max]     - Supp. items: [rules]      - Abstract: [limit/type]

IMAGES
- Size: [single/double column widths]   - Resolution: [300/600 dpi]
- Format: [TIFF/PNG/PDF/SVG]            - Color: [RGB/CMYK]
- Fonts embedded: [Yes/No]              - Captions: [Self-contained]

STATISTICS
- n + effect size + variation: [Yes/No]
- Test names + assumptions: [Yes/No]
- Multiple comparisons: [Method/NA]
- Software + version: [List]

DATA & CODE
- Data statement: [Link/DOI/Embargo end]
- Code statement: [Link/DOI/License]
- Preregistration/Protocol: [Registry/ID]

ETHICS & DISCLOSURES
- IRB/IACUC: [ID/NA]
- Consent: [Included/NA]
- Conflicts: [None/Details]
- Funding: [Grant numbers]
- ORCID/CRediT: [Completed]

SUBMISSION PACKAGE
- Cover letter: [Done]
- Highlights/Graphical abstract: [Done/NA]
- Keywords (journal taxonomy): [Done]
- Metadata consistency: [Checked]
- Presubmission inquiry: [Sent/NA]
        

1. Hour 1: Lock article type and collect a recent accepted example to mirror structure.
2. Hour 2: Apply limits (words, figures, tables). Cut or move content to Supplementary, not Methods.
3. Hour 3: Export all figures with journal presets; fix caption completeness.
4. Hour 4: Statistics audit: add n, effect size, variation, test names, and assumption notes.
5. Hour 5: Draft data/code/ethics/conflict/funding statements; insert DOIs and IDs.
6. Hour 6: Build cover letter and portal metadata; verify author order and affiliations.
7. Hour 7: Final pass on abstract, title, and keywords; confirm taxonomy match.
8. Hour 8: Package check in the portal with placeholder files to catch format errors, then submit once.