--- title: Publication figures url: https://www.moldraw.com/docs/import-export/how-to-make-publication-ready-figures-dpi-size-and-journal-styles/ section: Import, export and sharing updated: 2026-10-20 publisher: LabCanvas --- # Publication figures > Pick a journal style in Settings, Style presets, such as ACS 1996 or RSC. Then click Download and pick PNG, PNG (white) or JPEG. In the Export figure dialog, choose a journal width and a DPI, then click Export. A journal figure needs two things: the right drawing style and the right size. MolDraw handles the style with **Style presets** and the size with the **Export figure** dialog. 1. Open **Settings** and pick **Style presets**. 2. Click a journal card, such as **ACS 1996**. Your drawing takes that bond length, line width and font. 3. Select the part to export, or select nothing to export the whole canvas. 4. Click **Download**, then **PNG**, **PNG (white)** or **JPEG**. The **Export figure** dialog opens. 5. Pick a **Journal preset** and a **DPI**. 6. Check the **Output** line for the pixel size, then click **Export**. ## Style presets Each card shows aspirin drawn with that preset. | Preset | Sheet | |---|---| | **Balanced (screen)** | The editor default. Not a journal sheet. | | **ACS 1996** | 14.4 pt bonds, 0.6 pt lines, 2.0 pt bold bonds, Arial 10 pt. For all ACS journals. | | **RSC** | 12.2 pt bonds, 0.45 pt lines, Helvetica 7 pt. | | **Nature Portfolio** | 0.381 cm (10.8 pt) bonds, Arial 6 pt. | | **Nature Chemistry (classic)** | ACS 1996 geometry with Arial 8 pt labels. | | **ACS, large labels** | ACS 1996 geometry with 11 pt labels, for screens. | | **Large (17 pt)** | Longer bonds and heavier wedges. | | **Slides & posters** | 1.2 pt strokes and bold 12 pt labels that stay clear on a projector. | A preset sets the drawing style only. Your theme and language stay as they are. To fine tune a preset, see [Style and display](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/drawing/how-to-change-structure-style-colors-and-display/). ## Export figure dialog | Option | Choices | Default | |---|---|---| | **Format** | PNG (white), PNG (transparent), JPEG | PNG (white) | | **Background** | White, Transparent. Locked to white for JPEG. | White | | **Journal preset** | Actual size (as printed at 100%), ACS single column (85 mm), ACS double column (178 mm), Nature single (89 mm), RSC single column (83 mm), Custom | ACS single column | | **Width** | 1 to 500 | 85 | | **Units** | mm, inches | mm | | **Height (locked aspect)** | Read only. It follows the shape of your figure. | | | **DPI** | 72, 150, 300 (publication), 600 | 300 | The pixel size is the physical width times the DPI. Canvas zoom has no effect. For example, 85 mm at 300 DPI gives about 1004 pixels wide. When you type a width, the preset changes to **Custom**. If you pick **PNG** from the Download menu, the dialog starts on a transparent background. MolDraw remembers your last choices in this browser. The exported PNG and JPEG carry their DPI. Word, PowerPoint and page layout apps place them at the physical size you chose. See [Word and PowerPoint](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/import-export/how-to-use-moldraw-structures-in-word-and-powerpoint/). ## Exact print size MolDraw maps the canvas to print with one fixed scale: a 42 pixel bond prints at 14.4 pt, the ACS bond length. Every export and print uses this scale. - **Actual size (as printed at 100%)** in the dialog keeps that scale. Place the image at 100% in your document and the bonds keep their true length. - To see the printed size on screen, open the [command palette](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/settings/how-to-use-the-command-palette/) and run **Actual print size**. - SVG files are written at the same print size, in points. ## Settings that affect exports Open **Settings**, **General**, then the **Export** group. | Setting | What it does | Default | |---|---|---| | **Image resolution** | 1× (match font size), low (2×), medium (3×) or high (4×). Applies to PDF and to pictures you copy. | high (4×) | | **Reaction component margin size** | Space in points around each part of a reaction. | | ## Tips - Many journals ask for 300 DPI for color and 600 DPI for line art. Check your journal's author guide. - Use **PNG (transparent)** for slides with a colored background. - For a sharp vector file, download SVG. See [Download and file formats](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/import-export/how-to-export-png-svg-pdf-mol-and-cdxml-files/). ## Questions and answers **What DPI should I use for a journal figure?** Use 300 DPI for most figures and 600 DPI for fine line art. The Export figure dialog offers 72, 150, 300 and 600 DPI. **How wide is an ACS single column figure?** MolDraw uses 85 mm for ACS single column and 178 mm for ACS double column. Pick them in the Journal preset list. **How do I export a PNG with a transparent background?** Click Download, pick PNG, and keep PNG (transparent) in the Export figure dialog. Or set Background to Transparent. **Does MolDraw have an ACS 1996 style?** Yes. Open Settings, Style presets and click ACS 1996. It uses 14.4 pt bonds, 0.6 pt lines and Arial 10 pt labels. **Does canvas zoom change the export size?** No. The pixel size is the physical width times the DPI, whatever the zoom. ## Practice it - Interactive lesson: [How to make publication quality structure figures](https://www.moldraw.com/learn/how-to-make-publication-quality-chemical-structure-figures/) ## Related pages - [Download and file formats](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/import-export/how-to-export-png-svg-pdf-mol-and-cdxml-files/) - [Style and display](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/drawing/how-to-change-structure-style-colors-and-display/) - [Word and PowerPoint](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/import-export/how-to-use-moldraw-structures-in-word-and-powerpoint/) - [Copy and paste SMILES](https://www.moldraw.com/docs/import-export/how-to-copy-and-paste-smiles-inchi-and-mol/)