Project Checklist

Step 1: Go to target journal website “For Authors” page. Determine the following information:

• Dimensions:

• Minimum DPI/PPI:

• Color Space (RGB or CMYK)

• Font:

• Font Size:

Step 2:  Open and define document setup according to journal specifications.

Step 3: Create or select the appropriate workspace for figure creation. Tutorial: “Workspace Setup”

Step 4: Import and place image files.

Step 5: Select font and font size according to journal specifications.

Step 6: Check figure accessibility. Tutorial: “Accessibility (Ai)”

Step 7: Save and Package the file. Tutorial: “File Packaging (Ai)”

Step 8: Embed all linked images. Tutorial: “Embedding Links (Ai)”

• Save As: “FileName_EmbeddedImages.ai”

Step 9: Organize and label all image layers. Tutorial: “Intro to Layers (Ai)”

Step 10:  Use the Type tool to add labels on a separate layer.

• Label layer “Type.”

• Save (windows = Ctrl + S, mac = Cmd + S)

Step 11:  Use the Pen tool to add leader lines and the Shape tool to add shapes on a separate layer. Tutorial: “Intro to tools (Ai).”

• Label layer “Lines.”

• Save

Step 12:  Reduce image size. Tutorial: “Reduce File Size (within Ai)”

• Rasterize images – reduce to the minimum required PPI from the journal (usually 300 PPI)

• Crop images as needed

• Save

Step 13:  Export & Save required filed types. Tutorial: “Export & Save File Types”

• TIFF (with LZW compression)

• PDF (de-select “Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities”)

Step 14:  Embed all fonts. Tutorial: “Embedding & Outlining Fonts (Ai)”

• “Save As” – FileName_EmbeddedFonts.ai

Step 15: “Save As” an EPS file for final submission

Step 16:  Create a sub-folder for completed figures in your “figures” package, and include the date in the title. This way, if you have multiple rounds of editing and review, you can have a new sub-folder for each submission.