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	Guidelines for Hard Copy Artwork Submissions

Authors are asked to provide final manuscripts and artwork as electronic files (MSWord, WordPerfect or LaTeX for text; EPS or TIFF for images). If it is not possible to submit electronic files for artwork images, hardcopy figures are acceptable. There is a service fee to convert these figures. Information regarding this fee and other publication fees is available on the Tools for Authors page.

If you are sending harcopy figures as original artwork (i.e., first-generation; note: photocopies are not acceptable), submit high-resolution laser prints [at least 600 dots per inch (dpi)]; photo mechanical transfers (PMTs); or photostats along with your accepted manuscript. All figures should be on high-quality paper. If using photographs, please submit the original photographs, not reproductions of the photographs.

Care should be taken to ensure that all figures are free of smudges and stray marks. Note that creases, tape, correction fluid, and other surface irregularities may interfere with clear reproduction. Information written in pen on the back of a figure may bleed through.

When using overlays, keep in mind that all layers must be in register, i.e., aligned with one another. Registration marks should be outside the image area.

Black and White, Gray Scale, and Line Art Graphics

Continuous tone shading in a black and white (or gray scale) image is simulated by very fine dot patterns called “screens.” If shading must be used, make sure that the screens are between 20% and 70% black. Values outside this range often reproduce as either solid white or solid black.

Screen differences of less than 20% will not have enough contrast to reproduce distinctly. Any adjacent screens that represent different values in the same figure must differ by at least 20%, as screened shades with insufficient contrast may blend into a single shade when printed. For example, screens that are 20% and 30% black should not be used together, but screens that are 30% and 50% black are acceptable.

Because the reproduction of figures for publication involves the use of screens for simulating continuous tone shading, prescreened figures that already contain a dot pattern may end up with a moiré pattern when screened by the printer. This pattern is an undesirable “waviness” or “blotchiness” that appears in a screened area of a printed figure. Because of the unpredictability of moiré, consider using one or more varying patterns (see example at right) in lieu of screens.

Lines

Unless figures are created for reproduction at 100%, make sure that all lines are at least 1 point thick and that they are crisp and unbroken. Lines thinner than 1 point may disappear if the figure needs to be enlarged. In no case should lines be thinner than 0.5 point.

Labels and Lettering

For labeling and lettering use a sans serif typeface, such as Helvetica (the text subheadings in this document are set in a sans serif typeface). The largest lettering within a figure should be no more than twice the size of the smallest lettering. Pay particular attention to superscripts and subscripts, ensuring that they will be large enough to be read once reduced for publication. Generally, symbols (e.g., circles, squares) should be about the same size as the lettering. Use a white background for lettering that runs into shading or a pattern.

Label all multipart figures with a, b, c, etc. Label parts from left to right, top to bottom.

For more information, please contact graphics-help@agu.org.