Introduction to the production process

Skip to navigation

This section covers the process that your article goes through once it has been accepted for one of our journals. You can find out what we do with your article as it goes through the production process, and we also explain how to check your proofs and how to mark your corrections.

If you have any suggestions for other useful information we could provide, please contact our Author Services department at authorqueries@tandf.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

My article has been accepted. What will happen next?
The editor will send your article to the production editor at Taylor & Francis. You will then receive an email from the production editor with further details. (Please make a note of your CATS log-in details and keep them handy.) Your article will then go through several production processes before you receive proofs to check. Please note that if your journal publishes Accepted Manuscripts Online, your article will appear in this form before you see the proofs.

How can I find out what stage my article is at?
If it has not yet been accepted, please contact the editorial office of the journal, or use the tracking facility provided by any electronic submission system you have used. If it has been accepted, contact your production editor by logging into CATS (the Taylor & Francis Central Article Tracking System).

When will I receive proofs to check?
Please log in to CATS using the details you received in your email. You can then see the expected proof date. Please contact the production editor if you have any questions.

I am waiting for my proofs but the date I have been given is not convenient. What should I do?
Contact your production editor as soon as possible and explain the situation so that a new date can be agreed. Please note that it is important to return the proof corrections as soon as you are able.

My proofs have now arrived. What does AQ mean?
AQ stands for Author Query. Author queries are inserted when a copy editor, production editor, or typesetter has noticed something in your article that requires clarification or correction before publication. There may be hyperlinks allowing you to go straight from the query number to the relevant place in the text. You should deal with all queries as necessary.

Can I submit other corrections as well?
Yes, but please make sure that you read our guidance first.

I am having problems with CATS. Can you help?
Please contact the CATS Helpdesk at Catshelpdesk@taylorandfrancis.com and they will help you. If your proof deadline is due, please also contact the production editor.

I have submitted my corrections but how can I be sure you have received them?
When you submit the correction file and mark this as your final set of corrections, CATS recognizes that a correction file have been uploaded. It is not able to review or note the number of corrections listed in the file. If you look at the bottom of the email, you will see that it says "Correction file has been uploaded." This means that the production editor has received your corrections. The email you receive will also have been sent to the production editor automatically as soon as you click "Submit" in CATS.

I have a problem with the Author Publishing Agreement. What should I do?
Please contact the production editor.

I have returned my Author Publishing Agreement and my corrections. What happens next?
The production editor will check that the corrections are made, and then your article will be published. You will receive an email when this happens, giving you access to your article on our website, Taylor & Francis Online and enabling you to share free eprints with your colleagues.

I would like to order reprints of my article. What should I do?
You will receive an email from your production editor containing a link for you to use when ordering article reprints. Please note that this is a separate website, and you will need to register before placing your order.

I would like to order a copy of the issue containing my article. What should I do?
Please contact your production editor if your article has been produced by our U.S. office. Please contact our Customer Services team if your article has been produced in our U.K. office. If you are unsure, please contact authorqueries@tandf.co.uk and we can help.

How will I know which issue my article will be published in?
This information will be available in CATS as soon as we know. Please contact your production editor if you have any questions.