Elsevier Graphical Abstract Guidelines: Size, DPI & Template

TL;DR

For most Elsevier journals, a graphical abstract should be about 112 × 45 mm (1328 × 531 px) at 300 DPI in RGB, in a landscape shape, submitted as TIFF, EPS, PDF, or JPEG. Always confirm the exact size against the Elsevier graphical abstract guidelines and your specific journal's author instructions before you submit.

Elsevier graphical abstract specs at a glance

Requirement	Elsevier value
Shape	Landscape (wider than tall)
Working size	~112 × 45 mm
Resolution	300 DPI (minimum for halftone)
Color space	RGB
File formats	TIFF, EPS, PDF, or JPEG
Text	Minimal — legible on screen

These reflect Elsevier's general guidance at the time of writing. Individual Elsevier journals can set their own requirements, so treat this as a working reference and check your target journal's submission page.

Before you submit — Elsevier and AI-generated figures. Elsevier's generative-AI policy states that general-purpose AI image tools must not be used to create graphical abstracts. Treat an AI-generated figure as a drafting and sizing aid, not a drop-in final submission. Use Abfig to plan the layout and lock in the exact landscape dimensions and 300 DPI, then make sure the figure you actually submit complies with Elsevier's AI policy and your journal's graphical abstract guidelines.

What Elsevier wants in the figure

Elsevier displays the graphical abstract next to the article in ScienceDirect, so it needs to read instantly:

• One clear message. Summarize the core finding, not the whole methods section.
• Left-to-right flow. The landscape shape suits a horizontal story: input or question on the left, outcome on the right.
• Minimal, legible text. Short labels only; avoid dense paragraphs and tiny fonts.
• Self-contained. It should make sense without reading the paper.

How Abfig helps you prepare an Elsevier figure

If you don't use Illustrator, Abfig can draft the concept and handle the sizing. The flow is:

1. Paste your abstract — optionally let the AI condense it into a tight visual brief — or upload a rough sketch.
2. Draft the figure. Abfig's AI produces a clean graphical abstract image as a starting point.
3. Export sized for Elsevier. Pick Elsevier as the target and export at the landscape dimensions and 300 DPI Elsevier expects.

Because the Elsevier graphical abstract requirements are built in as a preset, you get the right proportions and resolution automatically. Abfig exports at submission resolution as TIFF or PNG. As the AI-policy note above explains, use the draft to plan and size, and confirm the final figure meets Elsevier's policy before you submit (Elsevier also accepts EPS and PDF if your journal prefers a vector file — formats Abfig does not export, so you would convert separately).

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using a square. Elsevier's canvas is landscape — a square figure sized for Cell won't fit.
• Low resolution. Web-quality images scaled up fail the 300 DPI check. Start at the target dimensions.
• Too much text. Trim to a few labels; the figure should not need a caption to be understood.
• Ignoring the journal. Some Elsevier titles override the general spec — always check your journal's instructions.

Conclusion

For an Elsevier submission, aim for a landscape figure around 112 × 45 mm at 300 DPI in RGB, one clear message, minimal text — then confirm the live Elsevier graphical abstract guidelines and Elsevier's AI policy. If you'd rather not start from scratch, Abfig can draft and correctly size a figure for Elsevier in a few minutes — a draft to finalize against Elsevier's policy, not an auto-approved submission.

---

Related guides

• How to make a graphical abstract
• Graphical abstract size & DPI requirements