What this page is for
Eligible FigureLabs plans allow users to download a Publication Authorization Certificate together with a figure export.
The certificate is linked to a specific figure and export version. It can be retained as supporting documentation when a publisher, journal, institution, client, marketplace, or other external reviewer requests confirmation of 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.
How to download a certificate
When exporting an eligible figure, select:
Include authorization certificate
The certificate will be downloaded as a PDF together with the exported figure.
Each certificate applies only to the specific asset and export version identified in the certificate.
What the certificate confirms
- It is a platform-issued record linked to a specific FigureLabs asset and export version.
- It confirms that the identified figure was generated, edited, or refined using FigureLabs and exported under an eligible subscription plan.
- It documents the usage authorization granted by FigureLabs for eligible academic, educational, professional, publishing, and commercial purposes, subject to the FigureLabs Terms of Service and the user's plan status.
- It may be used as supporting documentation when an external party requests confirmation of the figure's permitted use.
- It remains applicable after minor post-export changes that do not materially alter the figure, such as cropping, resizing, labeling, annotation, or layout adjustment.
What the certificate does not cover
- It is not a copyright registration, copyright ownership certificate, or government-issued document.
- It does not guarantee that a publisher, journal, conference, institution, marketplace, or other platform will accept the figure.
- It does not confirm the scientific, technical, ethical, or factual accuracy of the figure.
- It does not transfer ownership of user-supplied text, data, reference images, or other external materials.
- It does not grant permission to reuse or adapt third-party copyrighted material.
- It does not replace the submission, disclosure, copyright, research-integrity, or AI-use policies of the target publisher or institution.
- It does not automatically apply to materially modified, regenerated, or newly exported versions of the figure.
Third-party materials
The certificate only covers rights that FigureLabs is authorized to grant.
If the figure includes or is based on third-party material, such as a textbook illustration, previously published figure, photograph, copyrighted diagram, logo, dataset, or other external content, the user remains responsible for:
- citing the original source where required;
- determining whether permission is needed;
- obtaining any necessary permission or license; and
- complying with the requirements of the original rights holder and the target publication.
FigureLabs authorization does not replace permission from the owner of third-party material.
When to generate a new certificate
Generate a new certificate when:
- you materially change the figure's composition, scientific content, or visual design;
- you regenerate the figure or create a substantially revised version;
- you export a new version that you intend to submit or publish; or
- you combine the figure with other material to create a substantially different final asset.
Minor changes
Minor changes such as cropping, resizing, repositioning, labeling, annotation, or manuscript layout adjustment generally do not require a new certificate, provided that the underlying figure content has not materially changed.
What to provide to a publisher or reviewer
When supporting documentation is requested, provide:
- the final figure version you intend to submit;
- the Publication Authorization Certificate that corresponds to that specific export version;
- the original-source citation or permission documentation for any third-party material, where applicable; and
- any acknowledgment or AI-use disclosure required by the target publisher, journal, institution, or research field.
The certificate does not normally need to be submitted unless the publisher, reviewer, institution, or other external party requests supporting documentation.
Acknowledgment & AI-Use Disclosure Guidance
Some publishers, journals, institutions, and research policies may require authors to disclose the software or AI-assisted tools used to create or edit figures.
The wording below is provided as general guidance. Always follow the current requirements of your target publisher, journal, institution, or research field.
General acknowledgment
Use this version when a brief acknowledgment of the software is requested:
Figure X was created and refined using FigureLabs (figurelabs.ai). The authors reviewed and approved the final figure and take responsibility for its scientific accuracy.
AI-assisted figure generation
Use this version when FigureLabs was used to generate the initial illustration, diagram, or schematic:
The initial illustration for Figure X was generated using FigureLabs, an AI-assisted scientific illustration platform (figurelabs.ai). The authors subsequently reviewed, edited, and verified the final figure for scientific accuracy.
Where required, also disclose the tool version, access date, model used, prompts, or a brief description of the authors' subsequent modifications.
Figure editing or refinement
Use this version when an existing figure was edited, regenerated, enhanced, or refined using FigureLabs:
Figure X was edited and refined using FigureLabs (figurelabs.ai). The authors reviewed and approved the final content and take responsibility for its scientific accuracy.
Figures based on third-party material
If a figure created or edited with FigureLabs is based on third-party material, cite the original source and obtain any required permission.
Adapted from [original source] using FigureLabs (figurelabs.ai).
Authors remain responsible for complying with the attribution, acknowledgment, disclosure, and copyright requirements of the original rights holder and the target publication.
Before submitting
Adapt the suggested wording to accurately describe how FigureLabs was used.
An authorization certificate documents the usage authorization granted by FigureLabs. It does not replace a publisher's acknowledgment, disclosure, copyright, or AI-use requirements.
Quick reminder
The Publication Authorization Certificate is intended to support a specific external-use scenario and should correspond to the final figure version you plan to submit or distribute.
If the figure changes materially, regenerate or re-export the final version and download a new certificate.
Need help? Contact FigureLabs Support at support@figurelabs.ai.
This page provides general user guidance and does not replace the FigureLabs Terms of Service.