Poster Printing at West Chester University Library IMC: Software "How To"

Straight forward "how to" video series. One leads right into the other.

If you are a visual learner try Mississippi State University's YouTube video on creating a poster in MS Publisher. Very detailed!

University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire YouTube video on inserting bulleted lists into research posters.

• How to insert
  
• Changing color
  
• Changing Style
  
• Changing Size
  
• Changing distance from edge of texbox
  
• How to align all text boxes in a poster
  

3 Minute video is applicable to both PowerPoint & Publisher users.

You have two choices when designing a poster:

1. You can use a poster template. (These can be easily found; just Google "research poster templates.")
2. You can create your own poster using the instructions below.

Directions for PowerPoint 2013 

To Begin:

1. Design tab > Slide Size (on the right side)
2. Select Custom Slide Size
3. In the Slides sized for dropdown menu, select: Custom. 
4. Enter the Width and Height of the poster. IMPORTANT: You must set the poster size before you start working on your poster.  This will ensure that you images and text do not pixilate when the poster is printed.
5. In the Orientation section of the dialogue box > Slides: Landscape is most often selected, but this is your choice.
6. Once selections are completed, close the dialogue box by selecting OK.

Background: 

• On the Design tab, you'll find a number of slide themes. 
• Selecting Format Background (next to Slide Size) allows you to play with different types of fills, color and transparency.

Colors:

1. From the Design tab, click the drop down arrow in the Variants group
2. Select colors; choose a color scheme or create your own

Layout:

• On the View tab, select the Ruler and Gridlines options to assist you in placing your content and images.

Images:

• Check-out the Images tab of this guide for resources and tips.

Directions for PowerPoint 2016  

To Begin:

1. Design tab > Slide Size (on the right side)
2. Select Custom Slide Size
3. In the Slides sized for dropdown menu, select: Custom Slide Size. 
4. Enter the Width and Height of the poster. IMPORTANT: You must set the poster size before you start working on your poster.  This will ensure that you images and text do not pixilate when the poster is printed.
5. In the Orientation section of the dialogue box > Slides: Landscape is most often selected, but this is your choice.
6. Once selections are completed, close the dialogue box by selecting OK.

Background: 

• On the Design tab, select Design Ideas and you'll find a number of slide themes. 
• Selecting Format Background (next to Slide Size) allows you to play with different types of fills, color and transparency.

Colors:

1. From the Design tab, click the drop down arrow in the Variants group
2. Select colors; choose a color scheme or create your own

Layout:

• On the View tab, select the Ruler and Gridlines options to assist you in placing your content and images.

Images:

• Check-out the Images tab of this guide for resources and tips.

Save, save and then save again.  Don't forget to save!

Directions for Publisher 2013 and 2016

To Begin:

1. Under the File tab, select New, then select More Blank Page Sizes.
2. Select one of the standard sizes or select Create new page size
   1. Enter size dimensions for width and height
3. Then click on the "Create" button on the right side of the page.

Background:

On the Page Design tab, the Background function to the far right side of the menu allows you to select various options such as gradients,pictures & patterns.

Colours:

On the Page Design tab, you can also select a color scheme, or create your own.

      TIPS:

• Avoid red and green for colour blind viewers. 
• Consider using colours that might set the tone for your subject matter. 
• Solid colours in soft or pastel hues are sometimes recommended.

Layout:

On the Page Design tab, you'll find a Guides dropdown which allows you to set gridlines on your poster, to assist you in placing your content and images.

Font:  

Some suggestions:

• Don't use more than two fonts on your poster: one for the title and one for the text.
• All text should be at least 24 font size. Anything smaller is too difficult to read

   Other Font size suggestions:    

      Title: 72 pt. or larger (It should be readable by the viewer from at least 10 feet away.)  

      Subheadings: 30 - 32 pt.

      Body: 24 - 28 pt. (Anything smaller is too difficult to read.)

Images:

Check-out the Images tab of this guide for resources and tips.

     
Save, save and then save again.  Don't forget to save!