Graphical abstract

Guidelines for Authors: How to Prepare a Graphical Abstract

1. What is a Graphical Abstract?
A graphical abstract (GA) is a single, concise, and visually appealing panel that summarizes the core concepts, methodology, and key findings of your research article. Its primary goal is to immediately capture the reader's attention and allow them to quickly determine if the paper aligns with their research interests. In modern academic publishing, it is a crucial tool for increasing the visibility of your work in scientific databases, search engines, and social media.

2. Core Design Principles

• Concision and Focus: The GA should not attempt to summarize the entire paper. Instead, it should visualize your most significant finding or innovation (e.g., a novel LCC assessment model, an innovative diagnostic method for wear, or the implementation of Digital Twin technology in maintenance). Avoid overcrowding with unnecessary details.
• Logical Information Flow: The design should naturally guide the reader's eye. A left-to-right or top-to-bottom layout works best. Consider using a clear structure: Research Problem ➔ Methodology/System ➔ Main Result.
• Minimal Text: Avoid long blocks of text. Use only essential labels (short phrases or single words) to complement the graphics. Do not include full sentences or paragraphs.
• Originality: The abstract must be custom-designed for this specific purpose. Avoid directly copying complex charts, tables, or mathematical equations from the manuscript, as they lose clarity without a broader context.

3. Technical Requirements
To ensure the highest publication quality in Eksploatacja i Niezawodność – Maintenance and Reliability, please adhere to the following parameters:

• Size and Proportions: Horizontal orientation. Recommended size is 1200 × 600 pixels (aspect ratio approx. 2.5:1). Minimum dimensions are 500 × 200 pixels.
• Resolution & Size: A minimum of 300 dpi is required. Maximum file size is 5 MB.
• File Formats: PDF and TIFF are preferred or high-resolution JPG or PNG (with no layered or transparent objects).
• Typography: Use standard sans-serif fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, or Calibri. Font size must remain fully legible when the image is scaled down for web viewing (minimum 12-14 pt in the source file is recommended).
• Color Palette: We encourage a consistent, professional color palette with high contrast. Ensure the image remains readable in grayscale and avoid red-green color combinations for accessibility.

4. What to Strictly Avoid

• Visual clutter or packing too many elements into one space.
• Small, unreadable text or detailed experimental procedures.
• Including unnecessary titles or headings within the image file itself (e.g., typing "Graphical Abstract").
• Complex charts, raw data sheets, or mathematical formulations.

5. Submission and File Naming

• Separate File: The GA must be submitted as a separate file during the online manuscript submission process. Do not embed the graphical abstract within the manuscript text file.
• File Naming: Clearly label the file description as “Graphical abstract”. We recommend using the following filename format: GA_AuthorName_Year (e.g., GA_Smith_2026.png).

6. Recommended Tools
Authors are free to use any graphic design software. For convenience and professional results, we recommend:

• General Office Tools: Microsoft PowerPoint (ensure correct slide size and export to 300 dpi) or Canva (maintain a scientific aesthetic, avoiding marketing styles).
• Scientific Platforms: BioRender or Mind the Graph.
• Vector Software: Inkscape (free open-source), Adobe Illustrator, or CorelDRAW

Licensing and AI Note: It is the author's responsibility to ensure they hold the appropriate publication licensing rights to publish the generated images under Open Access conditions. AI-generation tools may be used only if the authors retain full control, verify factual accuracy, and possess full rights to the final output.