Salud ColeCtiva. How to export images. Initial recommendations. A guide created by the editorial team of Salud Colectiva

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1 A guide created by the editorial team of Salud Colectiva Initial recommendations 1. Do not increase the resolution of a file in image format. This will not improve the quality of the image, it will in fact worsen the overall quality. There is no way to improve the quality after an image has been generated if the original image does not have the necessary quality or resolution. 2. If you were asked to resend images it will be necessary to export them again taking into account the steps described below or, in some cases, to send the files from the original program in which they were generated. 3. Image quality is extremely important in ensuring satisfactory results within the printing process. Images that do not meet the quality requirements will not be published, as they will inevitably be blurry or illegible. 4. The journal s editorial team is available to respond to any doubts that may arise regarding this process. Contact us at: revistasaludcolectiva@yahoo.com.ar

2 Step 1: Program of origin Making an image file suitable for the printing process starts in the program in which it was generated. Given the great variety of formats, we detail here how to send files according to the program of origin. Graphs, diagrams and maps PowerPoint: For graphs and/or charts created in this program, send the original file without exporting the image. Excel: Graphs created in this program should be sent in the original file without exporting the image. Epi Info: Maps generated in this program should be saved or exported in vector format (.eps). This format allows us to edit, expand or reduce the image without losing information. Otros programas: If the program does not give the option of exporting or saving the file in vector format (.eps), it should be exported or saved in JPEG format with a resolution of 300 pixels per inch, with maximum quality, at 100% of its size. Screen capture: Once the screen image (that is, what is presently being shown on the screen) has been captured using the corresponding keyboard key, open a new file in an image editing

3 program (for example, Adobe Photoshop or similar program) and paste the captured image in the new file. When saving the file, select the JPEG format of maximum quality, at 100% of its size, without changing the scale or original resolution. The captured image should not be pasted in Microsoft Word or other word processor, as these programs compress the image in a way that impedes their use in publishing. Photographs In the case of photographs that have not been scanned nor extracted from another document, send the original file in JPEG format with a resolution of at least 300 pixels per inch, with a width no greater than 20 cm and a height of no more than 27 cm. If the photograph has been scanned from another document, please see the guide How to digitalize documents written by the journal s editorial team. The guide can be found in the section Illustrations of the Guidelines for Authors on our website. If we consult the option Image Size in any image editing program, we should obtain information similar to that shown in Figure 1.

4 Figure 1. Image size information in a file of 20,17 X 26,52 cm, with a resolution of 300 pixels per inch. The pixel dimensions shown in Figure 1 express the quantity of information the image contains; each pixel provides information about the image. If the image were to have a resolution of less than 300 pixels per inch, there would be a smaller number of pixels and therefore less information. If you were to attempt to increase the resolution using an image editing program, the program would invent the missing information, making the image quality even worse.

5 An image of average letter size, scanned at 300 pixels per inch and saved as a JPEG of maximum quality will result in a file size of approximately 2,7 megabytes per image. The following two examples demonstrate different procedures that result in better or worse image clarity. Example 1: Optimum resolution Example 2: Poor resolution If the steps described above were followed correctly, the image resolution achieved should similar to Example 1. However, if an attempt was made to modify an image file after it was generated, the image will have lost clarity and the contours will have become blurry, as in Example 2. If you encounter any difficulties in this process, don t hesitate to contact the editorial team at: revistasaludcolectiva@yahoo.com.ar