Poster Tips:

1. Poster can be easily created in PowerPoint or other tool that will print on a large format printer (plotter)
2. Poster text should be LARGE.  Posters should be readable from 3' away.  Consider 16 point type or larger.
3. Don't feel the need to cover every square inch of space, use white space to emphasize the elements of your poster.
4. Posters are a visual medium.  Use graphical elements such as graphs, flow charts, and photos (see below).
5. Photos:  The minimum resolution for photos and graphics (like logos) should be 150 dots/inch (dpi).  Photos will look fuzzy below 150 dpi.  To determine the maximum size divide the pixels by 150.  For example a 600 pixel x 800 pixel photo can be displayed as 4" x 5.3" or smaller.   Scanned photos and graphics should be scanned at resolutions high enough to provide enough pixels for the final size required for the poster. 
6. Contrast is important for easy reading.  Avoid dark backgrounds with dark type.  Avoid colors like red on green since these cause problems for many folks with some color blindness.  Consider the contrast AND the color.
7. Poster information should have a natural flow of information usually beginning at the upper left.  Flow can be in columns or across (see samples below).  Typically posters will begin with an introduction and end with a conclusion or summary.  
8. Caption graphics and sections to allow the reader to easily understand what you are depicting.
9. Proof read the posters carefully before printing actual size (costly).  Some tools like PowerPoint will allow you to print in reduced size. This is helpful in catching typos.

Poster Flow Schemes

Presentation Tips:

• Bring tape, pins, binder clips, and scissors to mount your posters and make minor repairs.  Art Gripper tape is useful for temporary mounting.
• Bring handouts or other media that provide additional information (25).  A brief handout can supplement the poster and provide viewers with something to read at their leisure.  You can share audio or video materials (e.g., on CD) or supply them on your website as a means of providing additional information.
• Bring business cards in case folks want to contact you later.  Consider making a small envelope in which you can put copies of your business card (or a similar slip of paper with your contact information on it). Attach this envelope to your poster, so people who are interested in your work can help themselves.  Remember the poster abstract will also be published in the conference proceedings.
• Be available.  Don't wander away from your poster, but don't hover while people view your materials. Give them only as much information as they seem to want, but don't be shy about giving more information when people are interested.
• Be prepared to offer a quick summary of your poster. 

• A survey was conducted by the American Psychology Association at their 1993 meeting regarding poster sessions.  They found that the "… most commonly noted distracting mannerism was involvement of the presenter in conversation unrelated to the poster" (Welch & Waehler, 1996: 43).  They also found that overzealous presenters, those who were arrogant, uninviting, and not available for questions were also unpleasant (43).  What particularly impressed the respondents were:

  visual presentation of the poster was the most commonly endorsed category (41%), with preference given for large print within the body of the report, high-quality graphics, use of color, and a large title.  Effectiveness with which the ideas were communicated was the second most commonly endorsed category (37%).  Among important communication aspects of the poster were brevity, clarity of writing, supportive graphs and charts, and highlighted main points (43-44).

Poster Publishing: 

To save your poster in PDF format you will need Adobe Acrobat (or similar product).  To create the file "print" your poster using the actual size of the poster.  Persons viewing the poster can choose the Acrobat Reader "Page Scaling" function to print the poster on smaller format paper (11 x 17 works well).  Copies of your poster printed on 11x17 paper can make a suitable handout for posters with substantial visual content.

Transporting Your Poster:

• Posters printed on a plotter can be rolled and then stored in a mailing or map tube.  Map tubes have sliding covers.  Class 125 PVC pipe can be used to make a durable tube.  Tape a business card to the tube to identify it as yours.  If you tape the tube closed, be prepared to open the tube for inspection if traveling by air.
• Flat presentation boards that fold into a case can also be used.  Poster can usually be mounted on the boards in sections that fit the presentation boards.   These are usually large enough that they will need to be "checked" if traveling by air.

Poster Mounting Supplies:

• 4 – 1” binder clips (can be used foam up to ¾” thick)
• “T” pins (work better in foam) or Push Pins
• Tape (can be used for repair as well as mounting)
• Adhesive Velcro (2’)

T Pins	Binder Clips

Additional References:

Designing Effective Posters

Advice on designing scientific posters

Poster Presentations - University at Buffalo Libraries

Sources of Art Gripper® poster mounting tape. (A very cool product that allows you to mount posters temporarily on walls).

Sporty's® Pilot Shop
IMA School Supplies and Educational Products
Teacher discount supply store

Welch, Andrea A. & Charles A. Waehler.  1996.  "Preferences about Poster Presentations."  Teaching of Psychology, vol. 23, no. 1 (February), pp. 42-44.