JOT & IST – A Year in Headline Photos

Year after year, the covers of JOT and IST showcase the diversity of surface technology. This retrospective brings together all the cover images from 2025 and highlights the role that high-quality images play in effective technical communication.

Images speak their own language—and often more than words. In IST —Journal for Surface Technology, they are an essential part of technical communication. They complement texts, enhance understanding, and clarify content. The IST and JOT editorial team therefore not only prepares the technical articles in terms of content and language, but also ensures that the accompanying images and graphics are presented in the best possible way. When the editorial deadline approaches, the aim is to present an attractive cross-section of the magazine's content on the cover – comparable to a carefully decorated shop window. We design the front page to be both visually appealing and informative.

Image Quality Requirements

The star of the front page is, of course, the cover image, which is selected after reviewing the images for all articles. This is followed by a multi-stage selection process, which is usually based on the main topic. For printing at 300 dpi, a minimum size of 2500×2100 pixels is required, provided that the image section can be used unchanged. Since adjustments are necessary in most cases – for example, to make room for the headline – the original image should be significantly larger.

Many of the images submitted do not meet these requirements, usually due to insufficient resolution or quality. This is surprising, given that powerful smartphones with large megapixel sensors and inexpensive compact or system cameras are widely available. Nevertheless, we often receive image material that is unsuitable for use and have to request better replacements.

Image Editing

Once a suitable motif has been found, it is optimized and aesthetically enhanced. We primarily use Adobe Lightroom for this purpose. After basic corrections to white balance, exposure, contrast, saturation, dynamics, highlights, and shadows, we then perform noise reduction, sharpening, perspective correction, cropping, and lens correction as needed. In addition, we use selective adjustments with linear, circular, or local gradient filters, and sometimes color-selective changes to luminance, saturation, or hue. Finally, we determine the image section based on classic photographic design rules and the position of the headline.

Appeal to Authors and Companies

Professional editing is only possible if the source material is of high quality. That's why we appeal to all authors, agencies, and companies: Always send us the best possible image material—only then will your motif have a chance of making it onto the cover! In addition to JPG files, PNG, TIF, and other common formats are also welcome. We also prefer RAW files, as their color depth offers much more scope for editing. Ultimately, 18 eye-catching images have graced the covers of JOT this year. Which one is your favorite?

Cover of the year 2025

The star of the front page is, of course, the cover image.

This is a partly automated translation of this german article.