Many researchers assume that peer review begins once a manuscript is assigned to reviewers. Increasingly, however, journals perform editorial screening before peer review, and image integrity has become one of the key checkpoints. Major publishers, including Springer Nature and Wiley, state that submitted figures may be examined for evidence of inappropriate image manipulation, with queries raised before the manuscript proceeds further.
Importantly, image integrity screening is not intended to identify research misconduct alone. International recommendations developed by the STM Association emphasize that many image anomalies arise from inappropriate figure preparation rather than deliberate falsification. Legitimate adjustments to brightness or contrast are generally acceptable when applied consistently, whereas selective editing, duplication, or removal of features may require explanation or access to the original data.
For laboratory scientists, the implications are practical. Many journals now request original, unprocessed image files when questions arise, particularly for microscopy images and electrophoretic gels or blots. Maintaining well-organized raw image archives and documenting image-processing steps can help avoid unnecessary delays during editorial assessment.
As research integrity initiatives continue to evolve, image screening is likely to become an increasingly routine component of manuscript handling. Researchers who adopt transparent image management practices today will be well positioned to meet future editorial expectations and facilitate a smooth publication process.
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