Cell Press publishes some of the most visually polished figures in biology. Their figure requirements are precise, and Cell's production team enforces them strictly. This guide covers the exact specifications for Cell, Cell Reports, Cell Systems, Cell Metabolism, Current Biology, and all Cell Press journals.
Cell Press figure dimensions
Cell Press journals use an 85 mm / 170 mm two-column layout:
| Figure type | Width |
|---|---|
| Single-column | 85 mm |
| Full-width (double-column) | 170 mm |
| Maximum figure height | 225 mm |
The critical difference from Nature: Cell uses 85 mm single-column (vs Nature's 89 mm). This 4 mm difference matters — a figure built for Nature at 89 mm will be slightly too wide for a single-column Cell figure. Always check the target journal.
Resolution requirements
| Content type | Minimum DPI |
|---|---|
| Photographs | 300 DPI |
| Combination figures (image + line art) | 500 DPI |
| Line art, graphs, and vector content | 1000 DPI |
Cell Press requires 1000 DPI for graphs and diagrams at print size. This is higher than many authors expect.
Accepted file formats
Cell Press preferred formats in order of preference:
- PDF — preferred for vector graphics (graphs, diagrams, flow charts)
- EPS — acceptable for vector content
- TIFF — required for photographs and microscopy images
- PNG — acceptable for initial submission; production will request TIFF/PDF for final files
Avoid JPEG for any figure with line art, labels, or statistical graphs.
Font and typography requirements
- Fonts: Arial or Helvetica exclusively; embed all fonts in EPS/PDF files
- Minimum font size: 6 pt at final print size
- Panel labels: Uppercase bold (A, B, C), 9–10 pt
- Axis labels: 7–8 pt
- Tick labels: 6–7 pt
- Scale bars: Required for microscopy; label in the figure, not only in the legend
Cell Press specifically calls out that fonts must be embedded in PDF/EPS files. Un-embedded fonts substitute to a different typeface in production and create resubmission requests.
Figure structure and layout
- Margins: 2–3 mm between panels within a figure
- White space: Keep to a minimum — do not add large empty areas
- Panel letters: Single uppercase letter, bold, positioned inside the figure area at top-left of each panel
- Arrows and annotations: Use sufficient weight (≥0.5 pt line) so they reproduce at print size
Color requirements
- RGB colorspace for initial submission; Cell Press converts to CMYK for print internally
- No extra charge for color in most Cell Press journals
- Color-blind accessibility: Cell Press recommends avoiding green/red combinations
- Consistent colors across all panels and all figures in the same paper
Figure legend requirements (not in the figure file)
Cell Press figure legends must:
- Be included in the manuscript Word/PDF file, not embedded in the figure
- Define all abbreviations used in the figure
- Specify statistical tests used, n values, and error bar type (SD, SEM, CI)
- For microscopy: state magnification, scale bar value, and staining method
Cell vs Cell Reports: What's different?
Cell and Cell Reports use the same core figure specifications, but Cell Reports:
- Has a shorter article format (4 main figures maximum in some categories)
- Requires a graphical abstract (see how to make a graphical abstract)
- Has a required STAR Methods section
Cell Reports Medicine and Cell Systems also require graphical abstracts and follow the same figure specifications.
Graphical abstract requirements for Cell Press
All Cell Press journals require a graphical abstract:
- Width: 85 mm (single-column) or wider
- Height: Maximum 85 mm
- Landscape orientation preferred
- No text smaller than 7 pt
- Must be a single panel — no multi-panel layout
- Should convey the key finding visually, not be a copy of Figure 1
See our guide on how to make a graphical abstract for step-by-step instructions.
Preparing Cell figures in FigureGuild
FigureGuild includes Cell Press journal presets. Select "Cell (single-column)" or "Cell (full-width)" and the assembler sets 85 mm or 170 mm automatically. For graphical abstracts, use Abstract Studio — it generates AI-assisted abstracts at the correct Cell Press dimensions.
Checklist: Is your Cell Press figure ready?
- Width is 85 mm (single) or 170 mm (full); height ≤225 mm
- Line art at 1000 DPI; photographs at ≥300 DPI
- File is PDF or TIFF (not JPEG)
- Font is Arial or Helvetica, all fonts embedded
- Minimum 6 pt text at print size
- Panel letters are uppercase bold
- Scale bars present on all microscopy
- Graphical abstract included (if required by journal section)
- Figure legend in manuscript, not in figure file
FAQ
Is there a charge for color figures in Cell? No. Cell Press does not charge for color figures in online publication. For print, color is included at no charge in most Cell Press journals.
Can I use PDF for Cell figures? Yes — PDF is actually the preferred format for vector content (graphs, diagrams) in Cell Press journals.
What is the graphical abstract size for Cell? 85 mm wide × maximum 85 mm tall, landscape orientation preferred.
Does Cell use the same dimensions as Nature? Almost. Cell uses 85 mm for single-column figures; Nature uses 89 mm. The full-width is 170 mm (Cell) vs 183 mm (Nature). Always use the specific journal's dimensions.
What fonts are allowed in Cell Press figures? Arial and Helvetica are the standard and recommended fonts. Fonts must be embedded in all EPS and PDF files submitted.