Preparing publication figures shouldn't be the slowest part of writing a paper
Every manuscript eventually reaches the same stage: arranging your panels (images, plots, gels and blots, micrographs, and schematics) into a clean multi-panel figure that meets the journal's requirements. Researchers usually do this in PowerPoint, Illustrator, or Photoshop, even though none of those tools was designed for the task.
What is FigureForge?
FigureForge is a free, browser-based application built specifically for assembling publication figures. Import your panels, arrange them automatically, choose your journal, and export a submission-ready figure. Nothing is uploaded, and no account is required.
A short walkthrough: assemble the panels, label them, set the journal, and export a submission-ready figure.
Why it exists
FigureForge was built because preparing a publication figure is still surprisingly manual. Researchers spend hours aligning panels, adjusting labels, checking DPI, and re-exporting files after journals reject them for formatting problems. It is built and maintained by one researcher, which is also why guest use stays free.
What it does
Arranges your panels
Import your panels (images, plots, gels, blots, micrographs, schematics) in any common format, PNG, JPEG, TIFF, SVG, PDF, WebP, or BMP, and let FigureForge arrange them, with independent control over every panel boundary.
Labels them automatically
Panel labels appear in the order and style your journal uses: A, B, C, lowercase, numbers, or roman numerals, with optional parentheses.
Matches the journal
More than 1,000 journal presets set the column width, height limit, DPI, and accepted formats for you. Switch journals and the figure reflows to spec.
Exports submission-ready
PNG, PDF, TIFF, or JPEG with the correct DPI and colour metadata, re-rendered from your original files so nothing loses quality.
Keeps your data private
All image processing happens in your browser. Files never leave your computer, and you do not need an account to use it.
Who it is for
Researchers, students, and anyone preparing figures for a manuscript, thesis, poster, or grant. If you currently assemble figures in PowerPoint, Illustrator, or Inkscape, FigureForge does the same job faster and to the journal's spec.