Desk Rejection Shield
A 3-in-1 Shield to Help Your Paper Clear Desk Checks
Desk rejection is frustrating, especially when the reasons are easily preventable. Get a rapid, expert-driven pre-submission check and comprehensive formatting to ensure your paper clears the first hurdle in journal publishing.
Plagiarism Check
(powered by iThenticate)Formatting
Desk Check Report
Expert Review | 2-Day Delivery | Journal-Ready
Your 3-in-1 Shield Against Journal Desk Rejection
Plagiarism Check
Know what the journal will flag before you submit.
• Powered by iThenticate
• Similarity report with source matches
• High risk overlaps highlighted for action
• Guidance on what to rewrite vs what’s acceptable
Manuscript Formatting
We format your paper to your target journal.
• Journal specific layout, sections, and order
• Reference and in text citation checks
• Mandatory files flagged if required by journal
• Major style guides supported (APA, AMA, IEEE, etc.)
Desk Check Report
Catch desk rejection triggers editors reject for early
• Scope match with manuscript and journal
• Compliance checklist: ethics, disclosures, funding, etc.
• Journal requirement flags: graphical abstract, keywords, etc.
What you receive with the Desk Rejection Shield
Designed to reduce desk rejections by combining a human-expert led comprehensive
editorial desk check, journal-specific formatting, and plagiarism check.
01
Alignment to
Journal Scope
Journal Scope
02
Declaration and
Disclosure Check
Disclosure Check
03
Author and Keyword
List Review
List Review
04
Complete manuscript
formatting
formatting
05
Accurate Reference and
Citation Formatting
Citation Formatting
06
Plagiarism Check
How it works
Step 1
Submit your Manuscript
Upload your paper and
any reference files
Step 2
Select Target Journal
Specify your preferred journal for tailored
formatting
Step 3
Expert formatting and review
Our team performs comprehensive checks
and formatting
Step 4
Download your final file
Receive your manuscript within
2 business days.
Editage safeguards against desk rejection
70% of all paper submissions face desk rejection before they can progress to peer review.
Papers accepted using Editage
10,000 / every month
Paper checked against journal's scope and article requirements
Complete formatting for target journal, including verification of references
Comprehensive ethics and compliance checks to ensure all declarations and disclosures are present
Plagiarism check powered by iThenticate
Papers desk rejected
1 million / every month
Mismatch between submitted paper and journal scope
Incorrect formatting and ineffective references
Ethical compliances missing or incorrect
High similarity rates and plagiarism scores
Increase your manuscript's chances of acceptance with expert guidance
Why Choose Editage for Desk Rejection Shield?
2 million+ papers enhanced in last 22 years
Assured Expertise
Your manuscript is evaluated by seasoned academic professionals (not automated tools), thereby ensuring practical, actionable guidance.
Fast Delivery Guaranteed
No need to wait as your manuscript is formatted and checked in just 2 working days, and you get a guaranteed refund if we miss the deadline.
High Security Standards
To ensure your research remains safe and secure, strict confidentiality and data protection protocols are followed.
See how your manuscript improves
- Formatting
- Plagiarism Check
- Desk Check Report
Why Choose Us?
ISO Certified
Excellence
We use ISO/IEC 27001:2013, ISO 17100 & ISO 18587 certified security systems.
Highest Quality
Standards
We deliver exceptional quality through refined processes and a robust Quality Management System.
Quick Delivery
Time
With 1,500+ expert linguists, we deliver projects on tight timelines without compromising quality.
24x7 Support
Available
We are working round the clock to ensure your publication success. We respond to all enquiries within one hour.
Accelerate your publication journey
| ⏰ Turnaround time | 2 business days |
|---|---|
| 💲 Rate | $100 |
| 📄 Document types | Journal articles/Research papers and Case studies |
| ✨ Benefits | Plagiarism Check, Manuscript Formatting, Desk Check Report |
Frequently Asked Questions
- 01
Why does my formatted paper look different from papers published in the target journal?
We format the manuscript according to the journal submission guidelines. After the journal accepts the paper, the journal will make several typesetting and other formatting related changes; therefore, the final format of the published paper may differ from the format of the submitted manuscript. At the submission stage, journals only expect and require that authors apply the formatting guidelines provided by the journal. We only refer to sample papers or published papers on the journal website when journal guidelines ask authors to do so for the purpose of complying with the journal's guidelines. - 02
What separate files will you create for me within this formatting service?
If required by the journal, we will move sections such as the title page, figures, and tables to separate files. However, this service does not include the creation of separate abbreviation lists, highlights, cover letters, or reporting guideline checklists. Additional files required by the journal, like graphical abstracts, cover letter, etc., can be requested separately and will be chargeable. - 03
If I use this journal formatting service, will my paper be considered ready for journal submission?
Please refer to the comments left in the paper by the publication expert before submitting to the journal. The expert will highlight any additional requirements that might need to be met before submission.
What is the difference between manuscript formatting and editing?
Our formatters ensure your manuscript follows journal guidelines for layout, fonts, spacing, citations, headings, and more, but do not correct grammar or language in the paper. - 04
Are figures or measurement units also included in the formatting?
Changes to measurement units, number styles, gene name/symbol notation, table size/resolution, etc. are not included in the scope of this service. Please contact your customer service manager for these requirements, and they will direct you to the correct Editage service to meet your needs. - 05
Can you format references that have been processed using EndNote software?
Currently, this service only supports the manual formatting of references and does not support the formatting of reference lists made using EndNote software. - 06
Can you add subheadings to my abstract if needed by the journal?
Adding subheadings to the abstract and making it structured would require content understanding, which formatting experts do not have. - 07
How does desk rejection work?
When a journal editor receives a submission, they perform initial checks (also called desk checks) to determine whether the manuscript is suitable for peer review. These checks include matching with journal scope, adherence to journal formatting guidelines, plagiarism checks, and journal compliance for all submitted files. If your submission does not clear this first round of editorial screening, it leads to a desk rejection. - 08
What is a typical reason for desk rejection?
The most common reason for desk rejection is a journal mismatch. This is followed by poor manuscript formatting and lack of novelty/originality in your work. High similarity scores during plagiarism checks are another common reason for desk rejection. - 09
What percentage of papers get desk rejected?
Desk rejection rate varies based on a journal’s ranking. For instance, the rejection rates of high-impact journals are approximately 80%, whereas those of upcoming journals range between 10% and 30%. On average, most journals have a rejection rate of nearly 70%. - 10
Can you appeal to a desk reject?
Yes, but there will be certain terms and condition set forth by the journal. You need to check the journal’s policy on appealing desk rejects and understand under what circumstances they agree to review the submission again. You should appeal a desk reject only if you have strong reasons to believe that the reasons for rejection are unwarranted. - 11
Can you resubmit after desk rejection?
Resubmitting to the same journal after desk rejection may not be fruitful, especially if the reason for rejection was journal mismatch. Depending on the reason for rejection, you can decide whether you wish to resubmit to the same journal or select an alternate, better-suited journal. When submitting to a different journal, address the suggestions provided by the first journal in the decision letter and ensure the submission is formatted as per the second journal’s guidelines. - 12
How to keep your dignity after being rejected?
Desk rejection does not mean the end of road for your publication journey. Accept the feedback gracefully, be respectful of the journal’s decision, take time to analyze the areas of improvement, and move on to prepare submitting to the next journal. Do not argue with the journal editor by writing a rude email or letter. If you do need clarity on why your paper was rejected, write to the journal editor politely and see if appealing the decision would be worth your time. - 13
How long does desk rejection take?
Desk rejections can happen within 1 to 2 weeks of journal submission. However, it is difficult to pinpoint an exact duration for desk rejection. Some journals respond within two days, while others could take at least a month because of the unavailability of editors. - 14
Why are desk rejection rates high?
The top three reasons for desk rejection are journal scope mismatch, lack of novelty in the research, and major flaws in research methodologies. But the root cause for high desk rejection rates has two facets:
First, authors are often pressured by the concept of “publish or perish.” And in their haste to publish papers in a short time they tend to make mistakes during manuscript preparation. Second, editors are tasked with managing a huge volume of submissions while taking into account the limited availability of peer reviewers. Therefore, there is a need to filter out papers in the early stages of editorial review.
Both editors and authors succumbing to these publication pressures often results in high journal desk rejection rates. - 15
Does under review mean not desk rejected?
Yes. In most journals, the status “under review” indicates that your paper has cleared editorial checks and is being evaluated further. It signifies that the peer review process has begun and external reviewers are assessing your research’s readiness for publication. - 16
Is desk rejection bad?
Desk rejections can indeed make authors feel bad. But it does not mean that your entire research work was bad. The reasons for desk rejection are outlined in the decision letter by the journal editor, and authors need to take this feedback and work on turning their desk reject into a successful publication.
What is Desk Rejection?
Desk rejection is when your research paper is rejected by the journal without being sent for a formal peer review. A desk reject happens when the journal editor deems the submission unsuitable for further consideration due to various reasons, the most common one being a journal mismatch. Most researchers who have successfully published would have experienced journal desk rejection at least once in their academic career, so it is important to take learnings from it and push past this first-stage hurdle by preparing a journal-ready manuscript.
Common Reasons for Desk Rejection
There can be several reasons for desk rejection, and being aware of them helps you prepare your manuscript better.
Reason 1: Mismatch with journal’s aims and scope
Regardless of how good your research is, if it does not fit the scope of the journal, the paper gets rejected before peer review. Rather than focusing only on the impact factor of the journal, read the aims and scope of the journal and recognize whether your research will be suitable for the journal’s readership. Essentially, your goals should align with the journal’s goals.Reason 2: Lack of clarity on the originality, novelty, or significance
Any study that does not offer new insights or a novel perspective is not likely to be accepted for publication. Clearly highlight in your cover letter as well as your abstract as to what shortfalls in existing research you have investigated, be specific about how your study addresses this knowledge gap, and explain why your research can offer the correct solutions for the problems identified.Reason 3: Poor language and manuscript presentation
A research paper that is not easily consumable or a manuscript that is haphazardly formatted can make reading a tedious experience. Editors like to skim certain sections of the manuscript instead of diving deep into the complete paper. So, if your language is not up to the mark, if your writing has many grammatical errors, or if the paper is not well-formatted, it is likely to be desk rejected.Reason 4: Ethical issues like plagiarism, simultaneous submission, and non-disclosures
Avoid the below unethical practices to prevent desk rejection.
1. Plagiarized content that shows high similarity scores gets flagged as unethical.
2. Submitting the same manuscript simultaneously to two journals is also considered unethical behavior.
3. Not disclosing the use artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the preparation of your manuscript, be it for data collection, data analysis, or research paper writing, can be deemed unethical by journals.Reason 5: Flaws in research methodology or study design
When an inaccurate method or a flawed study design is implemented to obtain research findings, it could mislead future research directions. Therefore, journal editors check for the accuracy of methods and steps in experimental analyses to ensure that no incorrect research findings get published.Reason 6: Your tables and figures are not clear
Some journals provide guidelines on how your tables, graphs, figures, and other illustrations should be formatted. They might even have guidelines on the required image resolution, how table footnotes should be indicated, the number of display items allowed in a submission, and whether they should be uploaded as separate files or included in the main manuscript. Not adhering to these guidelines could result in desk rejection.
How to Handle Desk Rejections
Even if authors take sufficient measures to avoid a desk rejection, there could be something that’s been overlooked which has resulted in a negative decision from the journal. Or the journal editor may have misinterpreted your submission. Nevertheless, you are now reading a rejection letter. What next? Here are some immediate actions that help.
1. Be disappointed
Let that emotion of disappointment run its course. Share your thoughts with a close one and get timely support. Each of us have our own way of dealing with rejection. Do what suits you best!2. Move on
“Be” disappointed, but do not “stay” disappointed. Accept that the journal has given its decision and move forward from it. A journal desk rejection is just one minor setback in your submission journey, which can still continue and result in a successful publication.3. Do not react in haste
Choose to “respond” rather than “react.” It is the editor’s job to be objective when choosing the research papers most suited for publication in their journal. If they consider your research to be a misfit, do not paint them as the villain and write an angry email.4. Let the feedback settle
Treat the decision letter as the foundation for your next steps. Decision letters often include recommendations on improving your manuscript. Read the detailed feedback and digest the reasons provided before acting on the suggestions.5. Check if the decision can be appealed
You might want to appeal the journal’s decision of rejecting your submission. Check the journal’s policy on appealing desk rejections and see if writing to the journal editor would help.
Tips for Avoiding Desk Rejections
1. Select journals wisely: Always read the journal’s aims and scope on the website before shortlisting target journals. Knowing what the journal expects of the submissions, the types of papers accepted, the common subject areas covered, and the journal’s readership will help you determine whether your research topic would be suited for that journal. 2. Clearly explain the study’s significance: Highlight how your study contributes to enhancing existing knowledge in the research field and why it will be valuable for the journal to have the paper published on their platform. Ensure that the cover letter, the abstract, and the Introduction in your manuscript clarifies how the knowledge gap will be addressed. 3. Maintain high-quality writing and presentation: Scientific writing requires you to follow a certain style, tone, and format. Avoid excessive jargon and present your content in a way that’s easy to consume. Format the major sections of your manuscript correctly, divide paragraphs into well-defined sub-sections, and use meaningful sub-headings. 4. Follow the journal’s ethical guidelines: Read the journal’s ethical guidelines regarding animal/human trials, clinical registrations, or AI usage carefully and ensure that your submission adheres to all requirements. Include copyright statements whenever applicable, cite the original work correctly in the reference list, and use appropriate disclosure statements. 5. Identify correct study designs: Plan your research well in advance and identify the correct research methodology to perform your research (e.g., quantitative versus qualitative approach). Avoid using outdated techniques or methods to evaluate your hypotheses when a more recent and highly accurate one exists. 6. Pay attention to details: Always follow fundamental guidelines like the recommended length of the manuscript, word counts for sections, or page count limits suggested by the target journal. If a template is provided, maintain the same line spacing, margins, fonts, and number of columns. Check for consistency between figures, tables, text, and reference numbering.
How to Prepare your Manuscript to Avoid Desk Rejections?
Most journals have a rejection rate of around 70%; this number depends on the ranking of the journal. While the rejection rates of high-impact journals lean toward 80%, those of new, upcoming journals range between 10% and 30%. Understanding the reasons for rejection will help researchers prepare a complete submission package.
• Study the journal closely before submission and look beyond the aims and scope statement. Read recent editorials, examine the types of papers published in the last year or two, and observe how authors frame their contributions. Your introduction should be adjusted to clearly show how your work fits into that specific scholarly conversation. • State your research question and contribution explicitly and early in the manuscript (e.g., Abstract and Introduction). Highlight why addressing that research gap is important now, making your research relevant with respect to time and content. • Outline your manuscript as a narrative, with each section having a clear purpose and connecting directly to the central argument. Use signposting to help editors understand where they are and why each section matters. Read the manuscript from the perspective of a non-specialist editor to identify gaps in logic and flow. • Treat language editing and formatting as integral parts of the publishing process, not final afterthoughts. Separate content revision from language polishing to ensure that the manuscript adheres strictly to the journal’s guidelines.