Article Processing Charge guide helps authors understand publication fees before submitting to a journal.

Fees can be confusing. Some journals charge article processing charges for open access. Some have page charges, colour figure fees or optional open access fees. Some questionable journals hide costs until late in the process.

Authors should check costs before submission, not after acceptance.

What Is an Article Processing Charge?

An article processing charge, or APC, is a fee that some journals charge to publish an article, often under an open access model.

An APC may cover:

• Editorial handling
• Production
• Online hosting
• Open access publication
• Archiving and platform maintenance

APCs are not automatically bad. Many reputable journals charge them. The issue is transparency and value.

What Authors Should Check

Before submitting, check:

• APC amount
• Currency
• What the fee includes
• When payment is required
• Whether taxes apply
• Waiver or discount options
• Funder or institution support
• Withdrawal fees
• Page or colour charges

Save the fee page or policy for records.

APC vs Submission Fee

An APC is usually paid after acceptance. A submission fee may be charged just to submit. Some journals may charge both.

Authors should read the payment policy carefully and avoid journals that hide fee details.

APC Red Flags

Be careful if:

• Fees are not clearly listed
• Acceptance is guaranteed
• Payment is requested before review without explanation
• The journal sends aggressive invitations
• Indexing claims cannot be verified
• The publisher has weak contact information

Fees should be transparent and connected to a real editorial process.

How to Ask About Fees

Authors can write:

Dear Editorial Office,

We are considering submitting a manuscript to [Journal Name]. Could you please confirm the article processing charge, any additional fees, waiver options and the stage at which payment is required?

Thank you for your guidance.

Best regards,
[Author Name]

FAQs

Q: Are APC journals predatory?
A: No. Many reputable open access journals charge APCs. Transparency and peer review quality matter.

Q: Should authors pay before peer review?
A: Be cautious. Some journals have submission fees, but payment policies should be clear.

Q: Can APCs be waived?
A: Some journals offer waivers or discounts based on country, institution, funder or financial need.

Q: Should fees affect journal choice?
A: Yes, but fees should be considered alongside scope, quality, indexing and ethics.

Check the Cost Before the Commitment

Publication fees should be clear before submission. Authors can avoid surprises by using an Article Processing Charge guide.