Creating a poster project Poster Making 101 Creating a poster project

A Few Things You Will Need to Start Know what kind of poster you want to make You need to decide if you would prefer to make a trifold, a single page poster in portrait or landscape layout, or some other unusual format Know the dimensions of the poster board you will use If possible, purchase the board before you start working. This will give you an idea of how much space you have to include all images and information you want on your poster, as well as preventing formatting issues that may arise when it is time to print. A form of software that allows you to design images and presentations PowerPoint is recommended by the Library. For tri-fold posters, use our poster template

First Step: Set your poster dimensions This step will be a little different depending on whether you are using a Mac or Windows computer. On a Mac: Start by opening the “File” menu, then select “Page Setup” and set the width and height

First Step: Set your poster dimensions This step will be a little different depending on whether you are using a Mac or Windows computer. On a Windows: Start by going to the “Design” tab, then select “Slide Size”, “Custom Slide Size”, and set the width and height.

A Note on Dimensions Be aware that the when printing from the R.A. Williams Library poster printer, one of the set dimensions cannot exceed 24 inches. This means that printing a trifold poster (with standard dimensions of 48”x36”) requires some extra work. To print a trifold (of any size) you will create two slides using the height of the trifold for the slide height and half the width of the trifold for the slide width. For more information see slide 7

Second Step: Designing the Poster This stage of poster making is really up to you and/or your group, but there are a few tips: Use large images and text If you are including images on your poster, make sure that they are of a high resolution or dimensions. If this is not done the pictures will print out blurry and pixelated. Be concise Generally speaking, using less text on your poster makes a more visually appealing presentation. Make use of shadows, borders, frames, colors, etc. Adding small, thematically appropriate, additions to pictures and text will not only look better if done well, but will also show that you have done more than simply download pictures from Google.

Designing a Trifold When designing a trifold, you will need to split your work into two separate slides. One slide will be completely blank when you begin (this will be the center panel of the trifold) and one will have a line down the middle (this will be cut and form the two side panels; see image at right). A premade PowerPoint template for trifold posters of 48’x 36’ is available here.

Third Step: Saving Your Poster The library only accepts posters in PDF format. PDF format ensures that the library is able to preserve your formatting when printing your poster. To save your document as a PDF simply change the format when saving your final document. (see right)

Fourth Step: Printing Your Poster To submit your poster for printing, go the library website and fill out the Poster Printing Request Form. We will contact you via email when your poster is ready to pick up at the library service desk.