PNAS Figure Requirements

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) publishes research across all scientific disciplines. Figure requirements are well-documented and emphasize clarity.

Resolution
300 DPI
Color Mode
RGB or CMYK
Formats
TIFF, EPS, PDF, JPEG

Figure Dimensions

LayoutWidthHeight
Single Column88 mm200 mm
Double Column180 mm200 mm

PNAS single column: 88 mm (3.46 in); double column: 180 mm (7.09 in).

Resolution & Color

Resolution

Minimum: 300 DPI

Recommended: 300 DPI

300 DPI minimum. PNAS accepts both raster and vector formats.

Color Mode

RGB or CMYK

PNAS accepts both RGB and CMYK. Specify your preference in the submission form.

Accepted File Formats

TIFFEPSPDFJPEG

Maximum file size: 10 MB per figure

Submission Checklist

  • 1300 DPI minimum for raster images
  • 2Single column: 88 mm; double column: 180 mm
  • 3TIFF, EPS, or PDF preferred
  • 4RGB or CMYK accepted
  • 5Embed fonts in vector files
  • 6Use sans-serif fonts (Arial, Helvetica)
  • 7Label panels with uppercase letters
  • 8Include scale bars
  • 9Ensure text ≥6 pt at final size

Common Mistakes

Submitting at 72 DPI
Forgetting to embed fonts
Text too small
Missing scale bars
Inconsistent panel labels

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PNAS prefer RGB or CMYK?

PNAS accepts both RGB and CMYK. You can specify your preference during submission. RGB is generally preferred for digital publication, while CMYK is used for print.

Official Guidelines

Always verify requirements on the journal's official author guidelines page before submission. Journal policies may change.

PNAS official author guidelines

Related Pages

Create PNAS-ready figures

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