Frequently asked questions
On this page
Author reprints
- What is a reprint?
A reprint is a copy of an article or advertisement. They are available exactly as originally printed, on 70# glossy paper, in multiples of 100 up to a total number of 500. Reprints can be ordered in black and white or full colour, and can be customized with additional typesetting, logos and covers.
- Can I add a cover to my reprint?
Title page covers are included. These covers include the journal's logo, article title, author name(s) and citation information printed on plain white paper. Alternatively, the issue cover of the desired journal can be added for an additional fee.
- Can I add supplementary information to my reprint?
Reprints can be customized with additional typesetting (including supplementary information published online), product codes or logos, as well as info about your project or organization, a CV/résumé, biography or advertisement. Additional fees may apply.
- Can I reprint my colour article in black and white?
Yes, colour graphics can be converted to grayscale for printing in black and white.
- Can I reprint an older article?
Generally articles published within the last three years are available. Please e-mail author-reprints@nature.com for availability of older material.
- Can I see a proof of my reprint?
Proofs are not standard, however you can request a proof.
- Can I order more than 500 reprints?
Author reprints are not available in quantities of greater than 500. After that commercial rates apply. Commercial reprints can be ordered online or by contacting your regional sales representative.
- How are reprints shipped?
UPS Ground or International shipment is included, and faster shipment is available at extra cost. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
- Can my order be mailed to more than one address?
Split-shipment is available at no extra charge. Please contact author-reprints@nature.com for more information.
- Can I post a PDF reprint on my website?
Encrypted PDFs can be purchased for your website. These PDFs are sold in lots of 100 views (usage is calculated by IP address) or on a limited-time basis. They require the end-user to install a one-time plug-in to Acrobat Reader.
- What forms of payment are accepted?
Payment may be made by purchase order, credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express), personal cheque, money order and bank wire transfer. Please include an additional $25 fee for wire transfers (e-mail author-reprints@nature.com for details). Government and Institutional Purchase cards are also accepted.
Commercial reprints
- How are articles reprinted?
Reprints are available exactly as originally printed, on 70# glossy paper, in multiples of 100. They can be ordered in black and white or full colour and can be customized with additional typesetting, logos and covers.
- Can I add a cover to my reprint?
Title page covers are included. These covers include the journal's logo, article title, author name(s) and citation information. Alternatively, the issue cover of the desired journal can be added for an additional fee.
- Can I add supplementary information to my reprint?
Reprints can be customized with additional typesetting, product codes or logos, as well as info about your project or organization, or advertisement. Additional fees may apply.
- Can I reprint my colour article in black and white?
Yes, colour graphics can be converted to grayscale for printing in black and white.
- Can I reprint an older article?
Generally articles published within the last 3 years are readily available and can be ordered online. Please contact your regional sales representative for availability of older material.
- Can I reprint an entire supplement or issue?
Yes, generally it is possible to reprint entire issues in large quantities. Please contact your regional sales representative for availability and pricing.
- Can I combine various articles into one reprint?
Yes, please contact your regional sales representative to discuss options.
- Can I see a proof of my reprint?
A proof will be sent to you by e-mail.
- Can I request shrink-wrap?
Shrink-wrapping is available for a small additional fee. This can be ordered online, or contact your regional sales representative.
- Can my order be mailed to more than one address?
Split-shipment is available at no extra charge. Please contact your regional sales representative for more information.
- How long does it take for delivery of my reprints?
Reprints are normally dispatched within 15 working days from confirmation of order. We also offer an express service, where reprints are delivered within 10 working days. For prices please contact your regional sales representative.
- How are reprints shipped?
UPS Ground or International shipment is included in the quoted price, and you should allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Expedited shipment is available at extra cost. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.
- Can I post a PDF reprint on my website?
Encrypted PDFs can be purchased for your website. These PDFs are sold in multiples of 100 views (usage is calculated by IP address) or on a limited-time basis. They require the end-user to install a one-time plug-in to Acrobat Reader.
- How much do reprints cost?
The price of reprints depends on the number of pages in the article, the number of reprints ordered, whether the reprints contain colour, and whether you require any 'custom' options such as the addition of your product information or logo.
- What forms of payment are accepted?
Payment may be made in regional currencies via purchase order, credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express), personal cheque, money order and bank wire transfer. Please e-mail reprints@nature.com for bank details. Government and Institutional Purchase cards are also accepted.
- Can I translate the article?
Articles from any Nature Publishing Group journal can be translated into any language and produced as translated commercial reprints. This service is offered by Nature Publishing Group's sister company, Macmillan Medical Communications. Please visit the Macmillan Medical Communications website for further information.
Permission requests
- Why do I have to use Rightslink® to obtain my permission?
Where possible, all permissions for NPG material are now processed through Rightslink®. This allows the quickest turnaround for requestors and enables us to track all the requests we receive through a single system.
- Can I still fax a form from my publisher for you to sign?
No. NPG will no longer sign and return other publishers' standard permission forms, as these do not contain NPG's terms and conditions. A printable licence is available through Rightslink®.
- I have received free permission in the past. Why am I now being asked to pay?
While setting up the Rightslink® application, we reviewed our pricing for permissions. While reasonable amounts of material are still granted free to academics and various non-profit organizations, we have revised the policy on who we charge, in order to protect the value of what we publish.
- My publisher is an STM member, and yet I'm being asked to pay. Why?
NPG applies the STM policy on permissions only to those publishers who are actually signatories to the agreement [82k PDF].
- I am gaining a free permission. Why do I have to enter my credit card details on Rightslink®?
You don't. If you register to pay (even though you're not going to on this occasion) by invoice, your credit card details will not be required.
- The permission usage I require is not listed as an option on Rightslink®.
Are you sure? Please bear in mind that we are primarily concerned with WHY the material is being produced, as opposed to the medium in which the material will exist. So if, for example, you are producing a CD-rom for CME training purposes, you should select 'Use in training materials' as your 'Type of Use'. The fact that you cannot actually enter 'CD-rom' does not matter to us.
If you are certain that your intended usage cannot be accommodated by Rightslink®, please contact the appropriate permissions manager for the journal.
- I need permission to re-use online material published as supplementary information to a paper. What do I do?
NPG does not have the right to grant permission for supplementary information. Please apply to the authors of the paper.
- I need permission to adapt NPG material. Will a licence from Rightslink® allow for this?
Yes. The terms and conditions generated when a permission is processed through Rightslink® allow for the material to be adapted without additional permission.
- I need permission to reproduce NPG material in print AND electronically. What do I do?
Permission granted free of charge through Rightslink® for material in print is also usually granted for any electronic version of that work, provided that the material is incidental to the work as a whole and that the electronic version is essentially equivalent to, or substitutes for, the print version.
Where print permission is granted for a fee, separate permission must be obtained for any additional, electronic re-use (unless, as in the case of a full paper, this has already been accounted for during your initial request in the calculation of a print run).
ePrint PDFs
- What is an e-print PDF?
E-prints are encrypted PDFs created for hosting on websites. They are available exactly as originally printed in the journal, in lots of 100 views or on a time-specific basis (eg. one year of unlimited views).
The final PDF will be sent directly to your email address for placement on your website. This PDF must be hosted on your site, but the hyperlink leading to it can be sent to as many users as you like. Alternatively, we can also encrypt your PDF specifically for emailing to multiple users or burning on CDs (please note your preference when placing your order).
Each download can be viewed and printed by the end-user, by installing one-time plug-in software to Acrobat Reader. Users are guided through the brief installation process, and the e-print PDF opens automatically once the plug-in is installed.
- Can I add a cover to my e-print?
Yes, there are 2 types of covers:
- Title page cover, which includes the journal's logo, article title, author name(s) and citation information, OR
- Issue cover of the desired journal.
- Can I add supplementary information to my e-print?
E-prints can be customized with additional typesetting (including supplementary information published online), product codes or logos, as well as info about your project or organization, a CV/Résumé, bio, or advertisement. Additional fees may apply.
- Can older articles be supplied as e-prints?
Yes, any article available in our digital archive can be made into an e-print PDF. The weekly journal nature is available back to 1950 and most other journals are available back to start date.
- Can I see a proof of my e-print?
Yes, while proofs are not standard, you can request a proof.
- How is the usage calculated? Can I keep track?
Usage is calculated by IP address, so one user may continue to open the PDF on the same computer, and it will only count as one use. When the final view is downloaded, the PDF will no longer open on any computer.
While we cannot grant access to statistics, please feel free to call your sales representative at any time for a usage update.
- What happens when the PDF uses run out?
You will be notified that your PDF uses are about to run out. At that time you may purchase additional uses.
- Can I email the PDF to others?
Only e-print PDFs which are specially created can be emailed to multiple users (as in email alerts). PDFs encrypted for web download can not be emailed.
Please note that email-able PDFs can be forwarded to other users. Each PC user who opens it will count as 1 view.
- Can the e-print be viewed on PCs and Macs?
Yes, the encryption is browser-based so it will work on any operating system.
- What version of Acrobat Reader do I need?
Acrobat 7.0 or higher is necessary for the PDF to be viewed, it will not display on lower versions.
- What forms of payment are accepted?
Payment may be made by purchase order, credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express), check, money order and bank wire transfer. Please include an additional $25 fee for wire transfers (email author-reprints@nature.com for details). Government and Institutional Purchase cards are also accepted.
The appropriate contact details for commercial e-prints may be found on the contacts page.