FigCanvas export formats
Last updated: October 16, 2026
FigCanvas exports PNG, SVG and PDF, plus the Python code behind data plots. The free plan exports watermarked PNG only. Pro and Credit Packs add watermark-free PNG, SVG, PDF and plot code. Data plots and diagrams export as true vector files; AI illustrations are raster images until you vectorize them.
Formats by plan
| Free | Pro | Credit Pack | |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNG | Yes, with a FigCanvas watermark | Yes, no watermark | Yes, no watermark (5 credits) |
| SVG | No | Yes | Yes (5 credits) |
| No | Yes | Yes (5 credits) | |
| Plot code (Python) | No | Yes | Yes (5 credits) |
| Vectorize an AI illustration | No | 20 credits | 20 credits |
| Cost per export | Free | No per-export cost | 5 credits per watermark-free export or code download |
Pro costs $19.90/month or $149.90/year ($12.50/month). Credit Packs cost $9.90 for 200 credits or $19.90 for 600 credits, one-time. See pricing and the figure license for what you may do with each export.
What the file contains, by figure type
Data plots (bar, scatter, heatmap, volcano, forest…)
- SVG
- True vector. Rendered by matplotlib with text kept as text elements, so labels, tick values and legends stay editable.
- Vector, converted from the same SVG. Fonts are mapped to Helvetica.
- Edit
- Open the SVG in Inkscape or Illustrator, or download the Python code and re-render.
Flowcharts and diagrams (PRISMA, CONSORT, pipelines)
- SVG
- True vector. Boxes, arrows and labels are separate SVG elements.
- Vector. Fonts are mapped to Helvetica.
- Edit
- Edit on the FigCanvas canvas, or in any SVG editor.
AI illustrations (pathways, mechanisms, graphical abstracts)
- SVG
- Raster image wrapped in an SVG file. It is not editable as shapes until you vectorize it.
- Raster image placed in a PDF page at its native pixel size.
- Edit
- Vectorize the card first (paid plans) to get an SVG with editable shapes, then export.
Multi-panel frames
- SVG
- Each panel keeps its own type: vector panels stay vector, raster panels stay raster.
- Same as SVG: vector panels stay vector.
- Edit
- Arrange panels in a frame on the canvas, then export the frame as one file.
Formats FigCanvas does not export, and how to get them
Journals often ask for TIFF, EPS, a minimum DPI or CMYK. FigCanvas does not produce these directly. Start from the SVG export and convert with free tools (Inkscape, ImageMagick).
TIFF
Many journals ask for TIFF for raster art. Export PNG (or SVG and render it to PNG at the DPI you need), then convert with ImageMagick or any image editor.
magick figure.png -units PixelsPerInch -density 600 -compress lzw figure.tif
EPS
Export SVG, then save as EPS from Inkscape or Illustrator.
inkscape figure.svg --export-type=eps --export-filename=figure.eps
PNG at a specific DPI (300, 600, 1200)
FigCanvas PNG exports are sized in pixels. For a fixed DPI at a fixed print width, export SVG and render it with Inkscape.
inkscape figure.svg --export-type=png --export-dpi=600 --export-filename=figure.png
CMYK
FigCanvas exports RGB. Most journals convert RGB themselves; if yours requires CMYK, convert the PDF or TIFF in Illustrator, Affinity Designer or Acrobat with the color profile the journal names.
Embedded custom fonts
PDF export maps text to Helvetica. SVG keeps text as text but references the font by name, so the viewer must have the font installed. If a journal needs Arial or embedded fonts, open the SVG in Inkscape or Illustrator, set the font and save as PDF.
Check your journal's artwork guidelines for the exact format, width and DPI before converting.
Frequently asked questions
Can I export a FigCanvas figure as SVG for free?
No. The free plan exports PNG with a FigCanvas watermark. SVG, PDF and plot code need Pro ($19.90/month or $149.90/year ($12.50/month)) or a Credit Pack (5 credits per export).
Is the SVG export editable in Illustrator or Inkscape?
For data plots and diagrams, yes: they are true vector files with text kept as text. For AI illustrations, the SVG contains a raster image until you vectorize the card, which converts it into editable shapes.
Does FigCanvas export TIFF or EPS?
Not directly. Export SVG or PNG and convert: Inkscape saves EPS and renders PNG at any DPI, and ImageMagick converts PNG to TIFF. The exact commands are on this page.
What resolution are PNG exports?
PNG exports use the pixel size of the figure on the canvas, doubled for figures smaller than 1,024 px on the short side. For a fixed DPI at a fixed print width, render the SVG export with Inkscape.
Can I get the code behind a data plot?
Yes, on Pro or with a Credit Pack. Every data plot is rendered with Python from your uploaded data, and you can download that code to reproduce or modify the plot.
Do exports made on a paid plan stay watermark-free after I cancel?
Yes. Files you exported while a paid plan was active keep paid-plan rights. See the figure license for the full terms.
Found a format problem with a specific journal? Email contact@figcanvas.com.