Upload a High Quality File: The final file size, and any graphics included in the poster, should be 150 – 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the required size measurements. By increasing the size of an image, the resolution will decrease and will make the image pixelated. If you resize images in your file, be sure to preview your poster prior to submitting it for printing. Zoom to “Actual Size” to check for any blurriness, distortion, or pixelation.
Using Fonts: Use standard fonts that are cross-platform on a variety of computers, such as Arial, Helvetica or Times. This will ensure that any font information will be secured into the file and will not be changed from your computer to our computer. If you use downloaded fonts, be sure to embed them into your file:
Embed Fonts in PDF | Embed fonts in PowerPoint
Print Safety Zone: Important graphics and text should be within a “safety zone” of the poster, at least a 0.25 in (0.635 cm) margin away from the trim edge of poster design. This will ensure that no information will be cut in the final poster.
Borderless Printing (Full Bleed): The poster printer does not support borderless printing, otherwise known as full bleed.
Avoid Data Overload: If you have too much text to add, try simplifying the content as much as possible. Break up sections of text with images (cited correctly), graphs, and/or charts to add visual interest.
Curate a Limited Color Palette: This will make the whole poster appear more cohesive. Typically, dark text on a light background offers the highest amount of contrast, making it more accessible to those with a form of vision impairment.
Layout & Content: Make the layout intuitive with the content easy to navigate. Allow for an ample amount of white space around each section to give the content room to breathe, which will make the information easier to digest.
Utilize Text Hierarchy: Split up each section by organizing the content in terms of their relative importance: headline, subheading, and body text. This creates a visual hierarchy. The poster content will become easier to read and navigate, and more visually appealing.
Add Only Solid Colors or Patterns to the Background: Avoid using gradients, as the poster printer will not accurately print the colors.
Avoid Photo Backgrounds: Picture backgrounds make it difficult to read the body text, making it less accessible to those with a form of vision impairment.
Cite Your Images: If you are not using images from the Public Domain or have a CC0 1.0 Deed (Creative Commons images with copyright waived and do not require attribution), be sure to cite the source of your image. For examples, visit the University of British Columbia's Image Citation Guide.
Download & Insert Images Directly into PPT: Avoid copying images from the web directly into your poster design. Typically, images on the web are uploaded at a low resolution and are formatted for screens, which are not suitable for printing.
Use High Resolution Images: The final file size, and any graphics included in the poster, should be 150 – 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the required size measurements. By increasing the size of an image, the resolution will decrease and will make the image pixelated. If you resize images in your file, be sure to preview your poster prior to submitting it for printing. Zoom to 200% OR “Actual Size” to check for any blurriness, distortion, or pixelation.
Use these tools to double-check your file's measurements before uploading your file: