Can You Use AI to Make a Graphical Abstract? How to Check

The short answer

AI tools can create a graphical-abstract draft, but that does not answer whether a specific journal permits the resulting image in a submission. Policies differ by publisher, journal, image type, and intended use, and they change over time.

Start with the rule for the image you intend to submit, then check the exact journal's instructions.

Two current restrictions to check first

ACS specifically excludes AI-generated images from TOC graphics. Elsevier excludes general-purpose generative-AI image tools for graphical abstracts and distinguishes dedicated scientific illustration tools subject to licensing and disclosure conditions. Calling a service a scientific tool does not establish that its generated output meets that exception. Treat Abfig output as a draft; check the intended image-production method with the exact journal before using it in a submission.

Official policy starting points

Publisher or journal group	Official page
Elsevier	Generative AI policies for journals
Nature Portfolio	AI editorial policies
Wiley	Publishing ethics guidelines
ACS	AI policy for authors
Frontiers	Policies and publication ethics
PLOS ONE	Ethical publishing practice
Science	Information for authors

Then open the exact journal's author instructions. A publisher-level page may not describe every artifact or journal-specific exception.

What to look for in the policy

1. Search the official pages for “graphical abstract,” “visual abstract,” “TOC graphic,” “image,” “figure,” and “illustration.”
2. Identify the rule for the artifact you intend to submit; cover art, manuscript figures, and graphical abstracts may be treated differently.
3. Record the permitted production method, required disclosure location, and any licensing conditions.
4. Recheck immediately before submission rather than relying on an older summary.

Where Abfig fits

Abfig generates a raster draft from an abstract or sketch. It supports full-image Refine, brush-mask Inpaint, and RGB PNG or TIFF export. It does not decide whether a journal permits the intended use.

Treat every generated result as a draft until you have checked scientific accuracy, dimensions, file type, production method, rights, and disclosure against the exact journal's current instructions.

Frequently asked questions

Does using an AI tool always require disclosure? Follow the exact journal's current wording. Do not infer a universal disclosure rule from another publisher or another image type.

Can I submit an Abfig image as-is? Do not assume so. First verify the scientific content and the journal's current format and AI-image rules.

Which journals allow AI-generated graphical abstracts? There is no durable answer that can safely replace the live official pages. Use the links above and the exact journal instructions.

Draft a graphical abstract in Abfig →