Before uploading a paper to a journal portal, check more than whether the PDF compiles. Editors and production teams often care about the exact class file, bibliography style, figure resolution, metadata, supplemental files, and whether source files can be rebuilt.
Pre-submission checks
- Confirm the document class and template version match the publisher's current author instructions.
- Compile from a clean project folder so missing image, .bib, .bst, .cls, and .sty files surface before submission.
- Check title page metadata, author affiliations, corresponding author details, funding statements, and conflict disclosures.
- Review every figure caption, table caption, equation number, cross-reference, and appendix reference in the final PDF.
- Export or package all required source files, not just the compiled PDF.
Class files and templates
Many journals provide an official .cls file or a specific template package. Download the latest version from the journal's author guidelines page rather than reusing an older copy from a colleague. Check that the class file name matches exactly and that there are no local redefinitions overriding journal defaults.
Figure and table preparation
Verify that every figure meets the journal's resolution and format requirements — typically 300 dpi minimum for color images, 600 dpi for line art. Vector formats (PDF, EPS) are preferred when supported. Check that tables use the journal's prescribed booktabs or grid style and that every table is referenced in the main text.
Bibliography and citation engine
Confirm the bibliography backend matches the journal's requirements: BibTeX, biblatex with Biber, natbib, or a publisher-provided .bst file. Run a clean compilation from a fresh directory to catch missing .bib entries, undefined citations, and style mismatches before submission.
Metadata and submission package
Most submission systems require a title file, authorship file, cover letter, and source archive. Create a zip file containing the main .tex file, all included figures, the .bib file, any custom .cls or .sty files, and a compiled PDF for reference. Verify the archive opens correctly on a different machine before uploading.
Final compiled PDF review
Open the final PDF at 100% zoom and check page order, header and footer content, running headers, page numbering, and reference formatting. Use the journal's pre-press checklist if available. A final read-through of the acknowledgments, author contributions, and data availability statements can catch errors that survive automated checks.
When to consider professional formatting support
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