Publishing rights for BioRender illustrations after downgrading from Premium

If you are downgrading from a BioRender Premium plan, you may be wondering whether you can still publish illustrations you created while on a paid plan. This article explains how publication rights are determined and what steps you should take before downgrading to ensure continued access to publication licenses.

Publication rights upon downgrading

Publication rights for BioRender illustrations are based on your account status at the time of export. If you exported a figure while on a paid premium license (not during the free trial period), you retain the right to use it in publications even after downgrading. However, publication rights do not apply to figures exported after your plan has been downgraded.

Steps to export publication licenses before downgrading

To ensure you have the necessary documentation for publication, follow these steps before cancelling or downgrading your subscription:

Accessing the Export Feature

1. Locate and select the illustration in your BioRender gallery. 
2. Click on the "Export" button located at the top-right corner of the editor.

You can also export directly from your gallery by clicking on the three dots on the illustration and selecting "Export". 

Downloading the Publication License

1. In the export dialogue, select the appropriate export settings.
2. Check the box labelled, "I would like a publication license with this export."
3. Click "Next" to generate and download your publication license.

📄 Note: Publication licenses are only available while on a Premium plan. Be sure to export any figures you plan to publish before downgrading.

Limitations after downgrading

After downgrading from a Premium plan:

• You can still use previously exported figures for publications if they were exported while on a paid plan.
• Editing and re-exporting figures will be restricted - there is a file storage limit of 5 figures on a Basic Plan.
  • Unless you re-upgrade to a Premium plan, all other figures will remain “Preview only”.
  • Your figures will never be deleted unless you choose to delete them.
• New figures created after downgrading will not have publication rights unless exported under a renewed Premium subscription.

Frequently asked questions

Will I retain publication rights for illustrations exported during the free trial period?

• No, publication rights are only granted for figures exported under a paid plan. Free trial exports do not include publication rights.

Can I edit my illustrations after downgrading from Premium?

• After downgrading, you can only view and edit 5 figures at a time while the others remain “Preview only”. Your figures will never be deleted unless you choose to delete them.

How can I regain full access to my illustrations after downgrading?

• Upgrading to a Premium plan will restore full access to your illustrations, including editing and exporting features.

Related articles

For more information on publishing requirements, refer to these related articles:

• Publishing in Open-Access Resources
• Publishing in Closed-Access Resources
• Exporting illustrations

What’s next?

📄 Read: Guide – Exporting Illustrations for Publication. Learn how to select the best resolution and format for journal submission. Read the guide ↗

🎓 Watch: Webinar – Top 3 Tips for Publication Figures. Learn how to design figures that meet reviewer expectations. Watch on Learning Hub ↗

Need help?

1. Email: support@biorender.com
2. Live Chat: Available by clicking on the "Help" bubble in the app on the bottom right-hand corner.