Professional Manuscript Typesetting Services
Articles typeset to PDF, HTML, EPUB and JATS XML on PubCrafts, our own production software
Why Professional Typesetting Matters in Academic Publishing
Manuscript typesetting is far more than just "formatting a document." It's the technical process of transforming author-submitted manuscripts into standardized, indexing-compliant, and reader-friendly publication formats. Poor typesetting can result in metadata extraction failures, indexing rejections, and damaged journal credibility.
Major indexing databases like PubMed Central, Scopus, and DOAJ increasingly require or strongly prefer JATS XML (Journal Article Tag Suite)—a structured format that enables precise metadata extraction, semantic tagging, and interoperability across systems. Simply providing a PDF is no longer sufficient for journals aiming for international visibility.
Critical Reality: PubMed Central mandates JATS XML for full-text indexing. Journals submitting only PDFs face limited discoverability and exclusion from advanced search features. Over 80% of modern scholarly publishers now deliver content in multiple formats (PDF + HTML + XML) to maximize reach.
Our typesetting service handles the complete transformation pipeline on PubCrafts, the production software we built: taking Word documents, LaTeX files, or raw manuscripts and producing professionally formatted PDF, responsive HTML, EPUB, and NLM/JATS XML outputs, plus Crossref, PubMed and DOAJ deposit files, that meet international publishing standards and indexing requirements.
We work with journals across disciplines—from medical sciences requiring strict NLM compliance to humanities journals needing elegant typography and complex footnoting. Every article receives expert attention to detail, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and technical compliance.
Common Typesetting Challenges Journals Face
Inconsistent Formatting
Authors submit manuscripts in varying formats with inconsistent citation styles, figure placements, and heading structures—requiring extensive manual cleanup.
Complex Tables & Figures
Large tables, multi-panel figures, mathematical equations, and chemical structures require specialized formatting expertise and proper resolution optimization.
XML Complexity
Creating valid JATS XML requires deep knowledge of DTD structures, semantic tagging, metadata schemas, and validation against NLM standards.
Time Constraints
Editorial teams lack the time and technical skills to professionally typeset articles while managing peer review workflows and journal operations.
Multi-Format Delivery: PDF, HTML, EPUB & JATS XML
Every article is delivered in the four formats readers and indexes expect, generated from a single source
Professional PDF
- Print-ready, high-resolution output (300 DPI minimum)
- Embedded fonts for consistent display
- Hyperlinked references and DOIs
- PDF/A compliance for long-term archiving
- Searchable text with proper metadata
- Optimized file size without quality loss
- Bookmarks for easy navigation
- Accessible (508-compliant) when required
Responsive HTML
- Mobile-friendly, responsive design
- Fast-loading, optimized for web
- Semantic HTML5 with proper structure
- Embedded metadata (Dublin Core, Highwire)
- Linked figures and supplementary materials
- In-text citation links to reference list
- Enhanced readability with clean typography
- Compatible with Google Scholar
JATS XML
- NLM/JATS 1.1, 1.2, or 1.3 compliant
- Validated against official JATS DTD
- Complete semantic tagging of all elements
- Structured metadata (authors, affiliations, funding)
- Machine-readable citations and references
- PubMed Central submission-ready
- Crossref metadata deposit compatible
- Enables text mining and data extraction
EPUB E-book
- Reflowable layout for e-readers and tablets
- Generated from the same source as PDF and HTML
- Embedded metadata and table of contents
- Figures and tables with captions
- Linked references and DOIs
- Readable offline, on any device
Understanding JATS XML: The Gold Standard
JATS (Journal Article Tag Suite) is an ANSI/NISO standard for representing scholarly articles in XML
Sample JATS XML Structure
<article>
<front>
<journal-meta>...</journal-meta>
<article-meta>
<title-group>
<article-title>Article Title</article-title>
</title-group>
<contrib-group>
<contrib contrib-type="author">
<name><surname>Doe</surname><given-names>John</given-names></name>
<xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1">1</xref>
<contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">0000-0002-1234-5678</contrib-id>
</contrib>
</contrib-group>
<aff id="aff1">Department of Science, University Name</aff>
<abstract>...</abstract>
<kwd-group>...</kwd-group>
</article-meta>
</front>
<body>...</body>
<back>
<ref-list>...</ref-list>
</back>
</article>
Why JATS XML Matters
- Required for PubMed Central and Europe PMC
- Enables advanced search and filtering
- Supports text mining and AI analysis
- Facilitates metadata exchange between systems
- Improves discoverability in databases
- Future-proofs your content
Our JATS XML Expertise
- 10+ years working with NLM/JATS standards
- Support for JATS versions 1.0 through 1.3
- Custom DTD compliance (journal-specific)
- Validation using official JATS tools
- Experience with PMC submission requirements
- Semantic tagging of complex elements
Complete Typesetting Services We Provide
PDF Formatting
Professional, print-ready PDFs with proper typography, embedded fonts, hyperlinks, and archival compliance (PDF/A).
HTML Conversion
Responsive, mobile-friendly HTML with semantic markup, metadata integration, and Google Scholar compatibility.
JATS XML Creation
Standards-compliant NLM/JATS XML with full semantic tagging, validated against official DTDs, PubMed-ready.
Table Optimization
Complex tables reformatted for clarity, accessibility, and proper rendering across PDF, HTML, and XML formats.
Figure Enhancement
Image optimization (resolution, format, compression), figure numbering, caption formatting, and accessibility compliance.
Reference Formatting
Citation standardization (APA, Vancouver, Chicago, etc.), DOI linking, and structured reference lists in all formats.
Mathematical Equations
LaTeX equation conversion to MathML and image formats, ensuring consistency across output types.
Quality Assurance
Multi-level proofreading, XML validation, link checking, and cross-format consistency verification.
Typeset in PubCrafts, our own software
We typeset articles in PubCrafts, production software we built ourselves. It reads the accepted Word file, applies your journal’s template and citation style, and produces the PDF, HTML, EPUB and JATS XML from the same source, along with Crossref, PubMed and DOAJ deposit files.
Your template is set up once, so every article in an issue looks the same. Equations, tables and figures are carried over from the manuscript, and references are matched and formatted in your style. Authors check their article through a private proof link.
If you would rather handle production in-house, your own staff can use PubCrafts directly.
Our Typesetting Workflow
1
File Reception
Receive manuscripts in Word, LaTeX, or PDF format along with figures, tables, and supplementary files.
2
Content Structuring
Parse document structure, identify all elements (headings, citations, figures), and prepare for multi-format output.
3
Format Generation
PubCrafts generates the PDF, HTML, EPUB and JATS XML from one source at the same time, in your journal’s design.
4
Quality Check
Cross-format verification, proofreading, link testing, XML validation, and metadata accuracy confirmation.
5
Author Proofing
Authors receive a private proof link and comment in place. Corrections are applied the same day.
6
Final Delivery
Deliver all formats (PDF, HTML, EPUB, XML) with Crossref, PubMed and DOAJ deposit files, ready for publication.
7
Publication Support
Upload to journal website, assist with DOI assignment, and support Crossref/PubMed submission if needed.
8
Archival Package
Provide complete archival package with source files, fonts, images, and version history for long-term preservation.
Our Quality Standards & Compliance
NLM/JATS Compliance
All XML output follows NISO JATS specifications (versions 1.0-1.3), validated against official DTDs, and tested for PubMed Central submission readiness.
PDF/A Archival Standard
PDFs conform to ISO 19005 (PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b) for long-term digital preservation, ensuring files remain accessible for decades.
Web Accessibility (WCAG)
HTML output follows WCAG 2.1 Level AA guidelines with proper heading structure, alt text, and semantic markup for screen readers.
Crossref Metadata Quality
Structured metadata suitable for Crossref deposit, enabling proper DOI functionality and citation linking across platforms.
Citation Standards
Support for all major citation styles (APA 7, Vancouver, Chicago, Harvard, etc.) with consistent formatting and DOI linking.
Typography Excellence
Professional typographic standards including proper kerning, ligatures, widows/orphans control, and readability optimization.
Cross-Format Consistency
Content, numbering, citations, and metadata remain consistent across PDF, HTML, and XML versions with rigorous verification.
Metadata Richness
Complete metadata implementation including Dublin Core, Highwire Press tags, Schema.org structured data, and Open Graph tags.
Basic Formatting vs. Professional Typesetting
| Feature | Basic Formatting | Professional Typesetting |
|---|---|---|
| JATS XML Output | ||
| Responsive HTML | ||
| PDF/A Archival Compliance | ||
| Semantic Metadata | Basic | Comprehensive |
| PubMed Central Ready | ||
| Professional Typography | Standard | Advanced |
| Cross-Format Consistency | ||
| Accessibility Compliance | Minimal | WCAG 2.1 AA |
| Indexing Readiness | Limited | Comprehensive |
| Technical Validation |
5000+
Articles Typeset
3
Output Formats
48hr
Standard Turnaround
100%
JATS Validation Rate
Frequently Asked Questions
What file formats do you accept?
We accept Microsoft Word (.docx), LaTeX (.tex), PDF, OpenOffice, and rich text formats. We can also work with scanned manuscripts if necessary.
How long does typesetting take?
Standard turnaround is 48-72 hours for regular articles. Complex articles with extensive tables/equations may require 5-7 days. Rush service available.
Do you handle non-English content?
Yes, we typeset articles in multiple languages including Chinese, Arabic, Cyrillic scripts, and others with proper font support and Unicode compliance.
Can you convert old PDF articles to XML?
Yes, we provide retrodigitization services to convert legacy articles into structured JATS XML. PubCrafts brings back issues up to the same XML and deposit standards as new articles.
Is JATS XML really necessary?
Yes, for PubMed Central submission it's mandatory. For other databases, XML significantly improves discoverability, enables text mining, and future-proofs content.
Do you provide author proofs?
Yes. Authors receive a private, expiring proof link from PubCrafts and leave comments directly on the article. One round of minor corrections is included.
What about mathematical equations?
We handle complex equations using MathML for XML, maintaining LaTeX source when provided, and creating high-resolution images for PDF output.
Can you customize templates?
Yes. Your journal’s layout, typeface, logos, license line and citation style are set up once in PubCrafts and applied to every article.
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Get professional, multi-format typesetting that meets international standards and indexing requirements
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