Export Publication-Quality Structure Images

What you'll accomplish

By the end of this guide, you'll have exported a chemical structure image suitable for journal submission, using the ACS Document 1996 preset for correct formatting. You'll understand the difference between SVG and PNG export, when to use each DPI setting, and how dark mode is handled.

Why formatting matters

Chemistry journals have specific requirements for structure graphics. The American Chemical Society (ACS) published guidelines in 1996 defining standard bond widths, font sizes, and line weights for chemical structures. Most publishers have adopted similar standards.

Submitting structures with incorrect formatting causes desk rejections or revision requests. ChemStitch's export presets handle this automatically.

Step 1: Draw or import your structure

Have your molecule on the canvas. If you need to clean up the layout, click the clean button in the toolbar to auto-format bond angles and atom spacing before exporting.

The auto-cleanup step is recommended before publication export — it ensures consistent geometry that matches the ACS standard expectations.

Step 2: Open the publication export dialog

Open the download dropdown in the toolbar and select Publication Export. The export dialog opens with preset options.

Step 3: Choose a preset

Three presets are available:

ACS Document 1996 — The standard for ACS journal submissions (JACS, Journal of Organic Chemistry, Organic Letters, etc.). This preset sets 14.4 pt bond width, Arial 10 pt font, and 0.6 pt line width. These parameters are shown in the preset description so you can confirm they match your target journal's requirements. The ACS Document 1996 standard is a widely-adopted specification used by most chemistry publishers, not just ACS journals.

Screen — Default rendering optimized for on-screen display. Use this for presentations, posters, and web graphics where print specifications don't apply.

Custom — Adjustable bond width (0.4–2.0 pt), font size (8–14 pt), and label size (8–14 pt). ACS reference values are shown for comparison. A "Reset to ACS 1996" button restores the standard at any time. Use Custom when a journal specifies non-ACS formatting requirements.

Step 4: Choose SVG or PNG

SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) produces resolution-independent output. The image stays sharp at any zoom level. Use SVG when the publisher accepts vector formats, or when you need to edit the figure in Illustrator, Inkscape, or another vector editor.

PNG produces a raster (bitmap) image at your chosen DPI. Use PNG when the submission system requires a bitmap format.

If you're not sure which to choose: SVG is generally preferred for quality, but some online submission systems only accept PNG or TIFF. Check your target journal's author guidelines.

Step 5: Select DPI (PNG only)

PNG export supports three resolution settings:

• • 300 DPI (default) — Standard print resolution. Suitable for most journal submissions and posters.
• • 450 DPI — Higher resolution for detailed structures or large figures with many atoms.
• • 600 DPI — Maximum resolution. Use for patent filings or when the publisher explicitly requires 600 DPI.

Higher DPI means larger file size. For a typical drug-sized molecule (20–40 heavy atoms), 300 DPI PNG is usually under 500 KB.

Dark mode and export backgrounds

If you work in dark mode, don't worry about the export. All publication and custom exports automatically switch to a white background with black bonds, regardless of your dark mode setting. This ensures clean output that meets publisher requirements without manual adjustment.

The Screen preset uses the same white-background treatment, so all exports are print-ready.

Tips for publication figures

• • Run auto-cleanup before exporting — Clean geometry looks professional and matches what reviewers expect.
• • Check your journal's guidelines — While ACS Document 1996 is the most common standard, some journals (RSC, Wiley, Elsevier) have slightly different preferences. The Custom preset lets you match any specification.
• • Use SVG for posters — Poster structures are often printed at large sizes. SVG scales without quality loss.
• • Name your files clearly — Journal submission systems work better with descriptive filenames like "figure-1-aspirin-structure.svg" than "export.svg".