ACS Publications: High Quality, High Impact

Preparing Graphics

General Information

The quality of the illustrations in ACS journals largely depends on the quality of the illustrations provided by the authors. In preparing artwork for publication, keep in mind the following points:

  1. For hardcopy manuscript submission, submit original artwork or a photographic print of the original for publication. Do not submit photocopies.
  2. Use dark black ink on high-quality, white, smooth opaque paper.
  3. During the editing process illustrations are reduced to fit a single- or double-column format according to these guidelines:

Item Settings
maximum width 3.25 in. (preferred)
double column 7 in.
maximum length 9.5 in.


Chemical Structures

Prepare chemical structures according to the guidelines below. These parameters are specifically for ChemDraw (make sure to use the ACS-1996 document settings); authors using other drawing packages should adapt these parameters to their systems.

As drawing settings select:

Item Settings
chain angle 120 degrees
bond spacing 18% of width
fixed length 14.4 pt (0.2 in.)
bold width 2.0 pt (0.0278 in.)
line width 0.6 pt (0.0083 in.)
margin width 1.6 pt (0.0222 in.)
hash spacing 2.5 (0.0345 in.)

As text settings select:

Item Settings
font Helvetica (Mac), Arial (PC)
size 10 pt
Under the preferences choose:  
units points
tolerances 3 pixels


What Will Reproduce Poorly?
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This figure will not reproduce well. The formatting choices here would result in possible loss of critical information or production delays. The following are the highlights of the problems with this figure:

  1. At final reduction, this lettering is too small to be readable.
  2. This line is too thin. At final reduction, this line may not show up at all.
  3. These symbols are too small. Different symbols of this size will look the same on the printed page.
  4. This lettering is too large when compared with that of point 1. All of the lettering should be of similar size.
  5. This line is too broad. Lines of this size will merge when reduced for publication.
  6. The patterns that simulate grays will appear blotched when printed.


What Will Reproduce Well?

A figure like the one above will reproduce well, especially if the original is submitted at a size that will fit the single-column format (8.25 cm, 3.25 in.) without further reduction. The following are the highlights of changes made:

  1. Larger lettering is used.
  2. A thicker line of 1 point is used. This line is thick enough to be effectively picked up by the scanner.
  3. Larger symbols are used. Symbols and lettering are of similar size.
  4. Smaller lettering is used.
  5. A thinner line is used. This line will not easily merge with the other data.
  6. The shading is eliminated.


Tips for Achieving High-Quality Published Artwork

  • Submit originals (they will be returned upon request).
  • Use dark black ink on high-quality, smooth, opaque white paper.
  • Use lettering that will be no smaller than 5 points at final reduction. Helvetica or Arial works well for lettering.
  • Use lines no thinner than 1 point.
  • When possible, submit artwork that does not have to be reduced to fit a single column in the journal (3.25 in. across).
  • Use the best resolution available (graphics plotter, 600 or higher dpi laser printer).
  • Avoid textures and shadings


A Note on Photographs

When submitting photographs (black and white or color) for publication, provide high-contrast prints that are of single- or double-column width and therefore will not have to be reduced when printed. Negatives, slides, and overhead transparencies should not be submitted; prints of such may be submitted. Photographs produced on a laser printer or otherwise digitally reproduced (i.e., photographs cut from a printed publication) should be avoided because they scan poorly.

Do not submit color prints to be printed in black and white.

For Further Information:

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   E-mail: paragonhelp@acs.org

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