Create an Academic Poster

• Contrast is essential for readability; use simple colour, boxes and lines. A contrast ratio of at least 7:1 is ideal. Use a contrast checker such as WebAIM to ensure your content is readable.
• It’s easier to read dark text on a light background, and you might find that this prints more clearly as well.
• Avoid neon colours and gradients.
• Use neutral background images and colours that don’t detract from the text content.

Resources

• Maximize space for content by leaving only 1 cm (or 0.5”) borders.
• Use white space to help define points and make your poster more readable.
• Use pictures or diagrams to make your points instead of text when appropriate.
• Use bullets instead of full sentences to shorten your text and create space between points.

• Use one, or a maximum of two, typefaces. Use Sans Serif typefaces for smaller body text because they are easier to read.
• Choose suitable font sizes for each poster section (see suggested ranges below) and use them consistently.
• If you use bold, italics, or underlining, use them consistently.
• Check if the conference or event has specific guidelines for formatting posters and follow them.

Suggested ranges for font sizes of different poster sections:

• Poster title: 100-120 pts. (bold recommended).
• Author name(s): 60-90 pts.
• Institution name(s): 40-60 pts.
• Headings: 40-60 pts.
• Body text: 28-32 pts.
• Figure captions: 18 pts.

These resources provide

• recommendations to consider when creating a poster
• downloadable preformatted templates in PowerPoint to start creating your poster
• tips to save you time and money to create a quality final product