Scientific Article PDF

Overview

Producing a publication-ready PDF that meets the exact formatting requirements of a target journal or conference is one of the final and most frustrating steps of the research publication process. Each venue has its own LaTeX class file, formatting rules, margin specifications, font requirements, and reference style. Getting these details wrong can lead to desk rejection before your paper even reaches a reviewer.

This skill provides a systematic approach to generating correctly formatted scientific article PDFs. It covers obtaining and using official LaTeX templates, configuring common elements (title blocks, author affiliations, abstracts, section numbering, bibliography), and troubleshooting formatting issues that arise during compilation. The goal is to produce a PDF that compiles cleanly and passes the publisher's automated format checks on the first try.

The skill focuses on LaTeX-based workflows, as LaTeX remains the standard for most scientific venues, particularly in STEM fields. It includes guidance for major publishers and conference families.

Obtaining Official Templates

Major Publisher Templates

Always start from the official template provided by your target venue. Using a custom or outdated template is a common cause of formatting problems.

IEEE:

# IEEE conference and journal templates