Key points at a glance
- Preserve vector charts where practical.
- Check labels and lines at final size.
- Inspect and test-print the exported PDF.
Know which artwork benefits from vectors
Charts, formulas and diagrams often consist of lines, text and filled shapes. Vector elements remain sharp when enlarged, while a screenshot represents them with fixed pixels. Photographs are naturally raster images and do not need to be converted into vectors. The relevant question is whether labels and details remain clear at their actual printed size.
Example: A bar chart looks fine on a large monitor. As a 900-pixel screenshot in half an A4 column, labels become tiny and edges soft. Where possible, export directly from the analysis or design tool as PDF or another suitable vector format and insert it into the document carefully.
Test the document export early
A chart may start as vector artwork yet be rasterised during insertion or PDF export. Test one representative chart before producing twenty more. Zoom into the exported PDF: stepped edges suggest rasterisation, while smoothly scaling paths are a positive sign. This visual check does not by itself prove the fonts or underlying numbers are correct.
Check that fonts are embedded and symbols render accurately. PDF pages can contain text, vector shapes and images together; a document is not wholly “vector” or “raster”. Inspect important figures individually.
Make the figure understandable
Technical sharpness is not the same as readability. Use labels large enough for the bound page, visible line weights and contrast that survives grayscale printing. Distinguish curves with patterns or direct labels when colour alone might fail. Compare legend, units, axis origin and values against your actual analysis output.
Keep figure numbers and source statements consistent. Adapting somebody else's figure still requires appropriate attribution and permission where applicable; changing file format does not change rights. Explain the main result in the prose so readers do not have to decode a dense chart without guidance.
Perform a print-sized final check
View the PDF near its final page size and test-print at least the most demanding figures. Small text, pale colours and close lines deserve special attention. Check the inner margin for the chosen binding so no useful information disappears near the fold.
After final edits, export the whole thesis again and review the list of figures, cross-references and page breaks. The file you submit or send to print is the authoritative version. Compare its name and page count with the tested PDF before placing an order.
Final submission context
Formal details can feel like a separate writing task, but they matter just as much for a printed submission. Anything missing, misplaced or inconsistently formatted in the document will also appear in the bound copy.
Use this guide together with your cover page, table of contents, page numbers, source notes and appendices. Prepare the final PDF for printing and binding only after the complete file has been checked.
Practical check before PDF export
- Do headings, chapter structure and page numbers match?
- Are sources, figures and tables included completely?
- Are required elements such as declarations, appendices or the cover page included where required?
- Did you open and check the final PDF after exporting it?
Checklist
- Tested vector export.
- Checked fonts and symbols.
- Reviewed contrast at final size.
- Compared print test with final PDF.
Common mistakes
- Using chart screenshots.
- Equating sharp edges with good readability.
- Uploading a different PDF after testing.
Prepare the finished thesis for submission
Once the content and university requirements are checked, review your PDF and the available printing and binding options.
Review printing optionsRelated content
Explore related guidance on thesis structure, sources, formatting and final submission.
Frequently asked questions
Must photographs be vectors?
No, photos are raster images and need enough resolution at print size.
How can I spot rasterisation?
Zoom for pixelated edges and make a print test.
Can a PDF mix vectors and images?
Yes, page elements can use different representations.