Editorial Policy

Metal Finishing aims to provide its readers with informative articles that contribute exclusive, technically competent information.

Writer's Guidelines

Stories and Technical Articles

Deadlines: The deadline is the due date for the story or technical article. It is imperative that deadlines are met in order to ensure the timely publication of the magazine. The deadline will be established by the editor. If the author has a problem meeting the deadline, let the editor or managing editor know immediately. If for whatever reason the author is unable to meet this date, there is no guarantee that the article will be published in the targeted issue.

Story Length: The story length, unless otherwise indicated by the editor or managing editor, should be no more than 2,500 words.

Submission of Stories: Metal Finishing prefers electronic submission of stories. Please e-mail stories or abstracts to re.tucker@elsevier.com. We can accommodate stories that are submitted in text-only format or Microsoft Word on a CD, provided that CD is sent to us in plenty of time. We do not accept paper-only submissions.

Artwork: Freelance and technical writers are responsible for providing artwork to accompany their article in a form that meets the specifications of the Metal Finishing production department. Normally, suggestions will be made when the assignment is given. If not, it is up to the writer to come up with appropriate illustrations.

All photography should be submitted by the story deadline.

Electronic photography is preferred and should be emailed to the editor. To be usable, photos must be 300 dpi and saved as a JPG, TIF, or EPS files.

Writers are responsible for captions and ideally they should accompany the story or technical article.

Each writer is responsible for submitting at least TWO pieces of artwork (preferably four-color) to accompany their story. Artwork takes many forms, such as a photograph, chart, illustration, table, or figure. Failure to submit photography by deadline will jeopardize the article’s chances of being published in the magazine.

Topics of Interest

Each month Metal Finishing focuses on a theme. Several articles related to a single topic are incorporated in the theme issue, along with other articles of general interest. Individual issues may also spotlight an additional topic.

Metal Finishing readers are looking for practical information related to the surface treatment and coating of metals and plastics. Feature material is directed to decorative and protective applications as applied in the captive departments of manufacturing establishments or in contract finishing shops. Topics include, but are not limited to, processes, materials, and equipment utilized for:
 

• Anodizing
• Blackening and Antiquing
• Blasting and Shot Peening
• Cleaning and Degreasing
• Conversion Coating/Phosphating
• Electroforming
• Electroless Plating
• Electroplating
• Electropolishing
• Environmental/Regulatory Compliance
• Hot Dip Coating
• Mass Finishing/Tumbling/Vibratory 
• Mechanical Plating  
• Painting and Powder Coating
• Pickling and Descaling
• Plating on Plastics (POP)
• Polishing and Buffing
• Stripping of Metals and Paint
• Thickness Testing/Plating Bath Control
• Vacuum Coating

Include a cover letter with your manuscript stating that it is intended for the exclusive use of Metal Finishing and that it has not been submitted to another periodical. Upon acceptance you will be asked to sign a Copyright Transfer agreement. Papers should have appropriate clearance from the organization with which the author is affiliated before submission to Metal Finishing, if such clearance is necessary. Authors are obliged to reveal exceptions to these conditions at the time of submission.

Manuscript Preparation

Text

Paper manuscripts should be 6 to 10 double-spaced pages on 8½ x 11-in. paper with 1-in. margins all around (approximately 1,500 to 2,500 words). Submit both a hard copy and an electronic copy of the manuscript. Additional instructions for electronic submission follow. Generic names should be used in place of trade names.

Tables

Data tables should each be on a separate page at the end of the text, not included within the text. Each table should be numbered, have a descriptive title, and be cited in the text. When using numerical data in tables, numbers less than one should have a zero before the decimal point.

References

References should be cited in the text and listed at the end of the paper in the order of appearance. Please include volume number, page, and date for periodicals, and also title, publisher, and location for books.

Permissions

Authors are reminded that they must obtain permission to reprint material from other publications including lengthy quoted text, tables, or illustrations. Authors should include appropriate credit lines for all reprinted material.

Electronic Submittal

Text

Preference will be given to manuscripts submitted by e-mail or via CD-ROM. They must be PC compatible. The author should retain copies of all files as backup. Manuscript files should be submitted at the same time that the final manuscript is sent to the editor. CDs and accompanying manuscripts should be labeled with the author's name and manuscript title. For the filename itself, the first author's last name is suggested.

CDs should be packed in jewel cases. They should be mailed inside an envelope, which clearly states that magnetic media is contained. Do not attach CDs to the manuscript with paper clips.

Files should be saved as plain text. Please be sure to send the actual text of your article, not a PDF, Postscript, or other output file.

Tables

Data tables should each be in separate files, not included within the text. Each table should be numbered, have a descriptive title, and be cited in the text. When using numerical data in tables, numbers less than one should have a zero before the decimal point. Tables in Power Point format are acceptable.

News Submission

Metal Finishing encourages submission of timely items of interest to our readers. News releases should be brief and include applicable glossy color or black and white photographs or, preferably, high-resolution computer image files such as JPEG, TIF, or EPS. Resolution should be 300 dpi to ensure reproductive quality.

New Products: Eligibility for this section is limited to new or substantially changed equipment, processes, and materials.

Product Showcases: As determined by the Editors, the Product Showcase section highlights a particular segment of products relevant to the finishing industry. These should include a brief (50 to 75 word) description of an existing or new line of products with an optional accompanying high-resolution image. Company logos will not be accepted for this section.

Industry Activities: Announcements of new personnel, offices, warehouse facilities, plant expansion, mergers, etc.

New Literature: Books offered for review and new publications will be considered.

Calendar of Events: A listing of upcoming conferences, seminars, courses, and exhibits of interest to our readers. Announcements should include the name, address, telephone number, and e-mail of a person to contact for further information on these scheduled events.