How to make a multi-panel figure for a paper
A figure with panels A, B, C is mostly an arranging problem: several images at consistent sizes, aligned, evenly spaced, labelled, and sized to the journal's column width at the right resolution. Doing that by hand in PowerPoint or a general image editor is slow and easy to get wrong, and researchers often spend more time aligning panels than preparing the underlying data. FigureForge automates that repetitive work so you can focus on the science: it does the arranging for you, then exports a file that passes the checks submission systems run. It is free and runs in your browser.
New to FigureForge? See what it does.
Five steps
- Import your panels. Drop in PNG, JPEG, TIFF, SVG, PDF, WebP, or BMP. The original files are kept, so nothing is downscaled before export.
- Assemble. One click scores the layout templates and arranges your panels by how well their aspect ratios fit, or pick a layout yourself.
- Choose the journal. The figure resizes to that journal's column width, maximum height, and DPI automatically.
- Label and fine-tune. Panel labels (A, B, C) are placed automatically in your chosen order. Resize any boundary, adjust gaps, and zoom or pan inside a panel.
- Export. PNG, PDF, TIFF, or JPEG with correct DPI metadata and, where the journal needs it, an embedded sRGB profile and vector labels.
Panels can be different sizes
Real figures are rarely a tidy grid. FigureForge uses a split layout: every boundary between panels can be dragged independently, so a wide blot can sit above two square micrographs without forcing everything else to match. Double-click a divider to even out a row or column when you do want them equal.
Common questions
How do I label panels A, B, C?
Labels are added automatically based on panel position. Choose the style your journal asks for: uppercase A, B, C, lowercase a, b, c, numbers 1, 2, 3, or roman numerals (I, II, III or i, ii, iii), with or without parentheses. You can switch the order (left-to-right rows, top-to-bottom columns, or panel order) and override any single label by hand.
What formats can I import?
PNG, JPEG, TIFF, SVG, PDF, WebP, and BMP. Vector sources (PDF, SVG) are re-rendered at the export resolution so they stay crisp.
Can I add or remove a panel later?
Yes. Add a panel on any side of a slot, swap two panels, or remove one and the layout reflows. There is full undo and redo.
How do I get the size right for my journal?
Select the journal from the built-in list of more than 1,000 presets and the canvas plus export already match its column width, height limit, and DPI. See journal figure requirements.