Resources for making conference posters

There are two general approaches to making a poster:

• make one big page, using Powerpoint
• make a whole bunch of small pages, using various programs (word processors, spreadsheets, Powerpoint...)

The first approach creates a more elegant, but also more expensive (to print) poster.

The "how-to" instructions below focus on the one-page approach.Consider the same aesthetic guidelines for both approaches.

Here are some resources for poster-making, suggested by members of our Department.

• http://faculty.washington.edu/robinet/poster.htmlThis is a short document with lots of good guidelines for using powerpoint to make a poster.
• https://undergradresearch.missouri.edu/research-poster/ This informative website include links to videos about using powerpoint to make a poster.
• Guidelines I used to learn to make posters: https://www.unh.edu/undergrad-research/sites/default/files/media/2022-07/building-a-poster-using-powerpoint.pdf
• Another set of guidelines, adapted from a handout by Aya Matsuda, with permission:

  Content

  Your poster should provide relevant information about your project, highlighting the most important parts, and leaving out the rest.

  Be sure to include Title, Author(s), Abstract, References.

  Format

  Visual

  • What makes posters different from papers and oral presentation is the role visuals play in its presentation. In papers and oral presentations, visuals (graphs, tables, photos, maps, diagrams, cartoons, etc.) are used to illustrate points made in the text/speech, help the audience follow your argument, and/or assist them remember what you said.
  • In a poster, visuals play a more central role—the visual is “what you say.” You may use text, of course, but do not post a paper.
  • Rather, use bulleted lists, quotations or short paragraphs to make your points.
  • Use larger fonts than usual for papers—at least 18 point type.

  Make it attractive

  During a conference poster session, the audience will walk by many posters, stopping only at the ones which look interesting to them. Thus, getting (and keeping) the attention of the audience is very important. Use informative text and attractive graphics to catch the audience’s attention—for example, the color contrast between the background (even the poster board) and posted material can be very eye-catching.

  Keep it simple

  Try not to present much detail because cluttered posters are hard to read and not inviting. Give only the outline/main points.

  Be creative

  Experiment with different fonts, formats, colors, layout, etc. to make your poster effective and attractive.

  You could provide more information in a handout or by including a short URL or QR code on the poster.

Printing the poster

When you've finished making your poster, you need to get it printed somewhere with a large format printer.
Consider printing on fabric as a format that travels easily (you don't need a poster tube). Plus you may think of creative uses for the "document" afterwards.

This page was last updated November 4, 2023 .