FigureLabs

Publication support

FigureLabs Publication Authorization

A short guide to the authorization certificate that accompanies eligible figure exports—what it confirms, when to refresh it, and how to describe FigureLabs in a submission.

Purpose of this page

Eligible FigureLabs plans let users download a Publication Authorization Certificate together with a figure export.

The certificate is linked to a specific figure and export version. Keep it as supporting documentation when a publisher, journal, institution, client, marketplace, or other external reviewer asks how the figure may be used.

This page explains what the certificate confirms, what it does not cover, when to generate a new certificate, and how to acknowledge or disclose the use of FigureLabs when required.

Start with the matching export

Eligible plans let you download a Publication Authorization Certificate with the figure export. Keep the PDF with the exact version you plan to submit or distribute.

  1. Export the final figure

    Finish the figure in FigureLabs and choose the export format you need.

  2. Keep the PDF beside it

    The certificate is generated for that asset and export version.

  3. Share when requested

    Provide it as supporting documentation for a publisher, reviewer, or client.

Know what the certificate means

What it confirms

  • A platform-issued record tied to one FigureLabs asset and export version.
  • That the figure was generated, edited, or refined in FigureLabs under an eligible plan.
  • Usage authorization for eligible academic, educational, professional, publishing, and commercial purposes, subject to the Terms of Service.
  • Supporting documentation when an external party asks how the figure was produced.

What it does not replace

  • Copyright registration, ownership proof, or a government-issued document.
  • Publisher, journal, institutional, research-integrity, or AI-use requirements.
  • Permission to reuse third-party copyrighted material or user-supplied assets.
  • Coverage for a materially changed, regenerated, or newly exported version.

Refresh it when the figure changes

Generate a new certificate when the final asset you will send is materially different from the exported version named in the PDF.

  1. Change the composition, scientific content, or visual design.
  2. Regenerate or substantially revise the figure.
  3. Export a new version for publication or delivery.
  4. Combine it with other material into a different final asset.

Minor edits usually stay covered: cropping, resizing, repositioning, labeling, annotation, or manuscript layout changes generally do not require a new certificate when the underlying figure remains the same.

Send the right supporting set

  • The final figure you intend to submit.
  • The authorization PDF for that exact export version.
  • Any citation, acknowledgment, or AI-use disclosure requested by the target publication.

Acknowledgment & AI-use guidance

Use the examples below as a starting point, then adapt them to the current rules of your target publisher, journal, institution, or research field.

General acknowledgment

Use when a brief software acknowledgment is requested.

“Figure created or edited with FigureLabs.”

AI-assisted figure generation

Use when FigureLabs generated the initial illustration, diagram, or schematic.

“The initial figure was generated with FigureLabs and subsequently reviewed and edited by the authors.”

Figure editing or refinement

Use when an existing figure was edited, regenerated, enhanced, or refined.

“FigureLabs was used to edit and refine the figure; the authors reviewed the final content.”

Third-party material

If the figure includes third-party material, cite the original source and obtain any permission required by the rights holder and the target publication.

Need help? Contact FigureLabs Support at [email protected].

This page provides general user guidance and does not replace the FigureLabs Terms of Service.