2. Steps in Making a Map for a Journal Figure

2.6. Image Export

Refer to your publisher specifications. Export the format they ask for using the parameters they want. If it's a raster format (.jpg, .png, .tiff), export the image in the highest resolution they ask for.

Often you will submit lower resolution images for the review process and higher quality images for the final submission.

Caveats for the final submission: If they ask for 300 dpi or less, I'm still sending 600. If they don't specify an image format or resolution, I default to 600 dpi .tiff or .png. If they ask for a .ai or .eps file and you don't have access to Adobe Illustrator to create that, a plain .svg, or a .pdf will also work because Illustrator can open and edit these formats too.