Veterinary Pathology is known for the very high quality of its illustrations, and we are striving to maintain this quality in the era of electronic manuscript submission. In order to do this, however, we must receive from our authors correctly prepared electronic files based on properly composed and well-focused images. Although the Editorial Office and the publisher can improve figures somewhat, our ability is strictly limited by the quality of the files provided to us. If you are unfamiliar with programs for adjusting digital images, please seek assistance from someone with appropriate experience. Here are the requirements for digital images for submission to Veterinary Pathology through AllenTrack.
1. Figures
General: Image modification or enhancement should be limited to that obtainable by ordinary photographic techniques. Micrographs cannot contain photographic or tissue artifacts.
Illumination: In many photomicrographs, the central region of the figure is much brighter than the periphery. This is the result of uneven field illumination. This defect cannot be corrected in the Editorial Office or by the publisher, instead the author must provide improved figures.
Focus: All figures must be in focus. Out-of-focus figures cannot be adjusted electronically.
Contrast: The background of figures must be the very lightest shade of gray for black and white figures and very close to white for color figures. With digital techniques, it is very easy to obtain figures that actually have too much contrast, giving the figures a “burned out” look. This cannot be rectified in the Editorial Office or at Allen Press.
Color: We frequently receive very peculiar color images. Many figures have a markedly green color that is undoubtedly very different from the true colors of the specimen. While we can adjust this to some extent, it is important for authors to provide us with figures that accurately represent the specimens.
Orientation: In gross photographs and photomicrographs, correct anatomic orientation should be maintained; for instance, the surface of the skin should be at the top of the figure.
Scale bars: Scale bars in figures for Veterinary Pathology are now optional. If you choose to include a scale bar, it should be about 1 cm long. Give its equivalent (10, 25, 100 µm, etc.) in the legend. Length bars should be placed in the lower right hand corner of the figure. Never include the magnification of the figure in the figure legend.
Numbering: All figures must be numbered. Figure numbers should be placed in the lower left hand corner and should be large enough to be readily visible.
Labels: All lettering on figures, including graphs and drawings, must be large enough to be easily read.
2. Files
Type: All figure files should be saved as TIF files using an IBM-compatible rather than a Mac format.
Resolution: Images should be saved at a minimum of 300 pixels per inch.
Size: Standard figure width is 90 mm (one column width) or 180 mm (two column widths). All figures should be cropped or reduced to this size. It is important to be sure that figures are the appropriate size at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch.
Color mode: Figures in RGB or CMYK mode will be accepted.
Layers: All images uploaded to AllenTrack should be flattened; multiple layers should be included only at the request of the Editorial Office.
Drawings and graphs: Drawings and graphs should be submitted as TIF files at 300 pixels per inch, not as Word, PowerPoint, or Excel files.
3. Plate composition
General: The editor reserves the right to regroup figures as required to meet typesetting requirements. Authors may make suggestions for figure groupings in plates. Color figures should be grouped as efficiently as possible to reduce the cost of color plates.
Size: Plates cannot exceed a width of 18 cm and a height of 21 cm.
Arrangement: Figures in a plate must form a square or rectangle. Irregular plate outlines are not acceptable.
Numbering: The figures in a plate must be numbered left to right and top to bottom, beginning in the upper left corner. Do not use Fig. 1a, 1b, 1c, etc. except for different staining techniques on the same sample, preferably on the same microscopic field (e.g., HE and avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method).
Borders: Spaces between figures that form a plate are inserted at Allen Press. Plates uploaded to AllenTrack should be arranged so that the edges of the component figures are touching.
Cost: The full cost for color illustrations must be borne by the author. The current price is US $900 for the first color plate and US $450 for each additional plate. The author will be billed directly by: ACVP Executive Offices, 7600 Terrace Avenue Suite 203 Middleton, WI 53562. Tel: (608) 833-8725. Fax: (608) 831-5122. E-mail: journal@acvp.org. Color proofs will be sent for the author's approval prior to publication.
4. Text
Legend location: Each figure legend must be uploaded to AllenTrack in conjunction with the appropriate figure or plate as the Object Description; the figure number should be included as the Object Title. A chart with special characters for inclusion in legends is provided by AllenTrack. Once your figure legend appears in association with the thumbnail sketch of the figure, be sure to check that it is correct and that all symbols are accurate. Legends should also be included as part of the manuscript text.
Legend format: Legends for gross or microscopic pictures of tissues must be in the following format: Fig. 1. Organ or tissue; animal identification, Case No. Sentence description of the change that is visible in the figure. Complete staining method with names of stains and counterstains. Bar = X µm.
Please note that scale bars are now optional.
Text references to figures: All illustrations must be identified with Arabic numerals. Figures must be numbered consecutively. It is essential that figures be mentioned consecutively in the text.
5. Uploading figure files to AllenTrack
Initial Submission and Submission of Revised Manuscripts: AllenTrack makes it very easy to upload figure files to their website. Follow the instructions carefully. Files to be uploaded are identified by AllenTrack-directed browsing. If your figure files are very large, they may take several minutes to upload and convert to PDFs, so please be patient. It is not the policy of the Editorial Office to upload figures for authors.
After provisional acceptance: Once your manuscript has been accepted for publication, the Editorial Office checks the quality of your figures. If the quality of the figures is acceptable, final adjustments will be made and Allen Press will download the figure files directly from the AllenTrack website. If figure quality is not acceptable, you will be informed of the specific problems and new figure files will be requested. Please provide improved figure files by submitting a revised manuscript. In this way, you will be able to retain, add, replace, and delete files as necessary. Please note that AllenTrack will not allow you to make changes in the files that form part of a previously submitted version of the manuscript. When appropriately revised material has been correctly entered into the system, the Editorial Office will prepare your manuscript for publication.
6. For assistance with figures please contact Connie Braden. Her email is bradecs@vetmed.auburn.edu
