Overview
Informational and scientific posters convey research and knowledge through a combination of printed text, data visualizations, and images. Researchers often use posters to present and discuss their work with others at conferences and symposiums. Posters may contain embedded infographics, charts/graphs, maps, and photographs. Their overall organization varies across fields and range from sparse and simple to dense and complex.
Standard research posters are often in the landscape orientation (length is longer than height), although posters can also be square or in the portrait orientation. Many conference posters are in a 4:3 ratio (4 ft wide and 3 ft tall), however, be sure to check with your conference/symposium to figure out the recommended/required poster size. If this information is not readily available, we also recommend calling the venue to ask how large their poster holders are.
If you’ve never created a research poster before, talk to a colleague, mentor, or advisor for their recommendations or to see an example of their past work. Also, your organization may have their own template or required colors and logos. For example, UW-Madison has an entire website for their brand that has UW logos for print, as well as recommended colors and fonts to use.
Poster Design Tip:
Often poster sessions include a large array of posters (100+) in one large room and attendees walk through the posters at their own leisure. You want to make sure your poster draws in the attendees to your poster. A catchy heading/title can work to do that, but often a well-designed poster that uses visuals effectively will draw attendees to your poster; then your presentation will keep them there! Get some eyes on your poster before you print it by meeting with one of our DesignLab consultants!
Recommended Software
There are also many different software programs that can be used to create posters. Below is a list of the software that we recommend for making a research poster. We put the software in order from easiest to use near the top to most difficult near the bottom. We recommend using a software you know well or learning the software well enough to establish an easy workflow, so you can spend less time troubleshooting and spend more time on your poster. Check out our Software Support page for links to tutorials for all of these programs.
Microsoft PowerPoint: This software is available to UW-Madison students, faculty, and staff via Office 365. It is also installed on all the all computer lab machines. Using OneDrive will allow for collaboration between multiple creators. PowerPoint also works with Excel to easily make charts and graphs. This is the standard software for creating research posters. But, there are limited alignment and design tools. See troubleshooting below for how to export this file to other formats.
Google Slides: This software is available to UW-Madison students, faculty, and staff via Google Workspace for Education. It is a web-based system, so can transition easily between multiple computers regardless of operating systems. Google Slides are also very good for collaboration, as they allow multiple users to edit at one time. This software is based heavily on PowerPoint, so there are limited alignment and design tools.
Apple Keynote: This is a proprietary software program that is available only for Apple products. It is installed on all the computer lab machines, both in the labs and for checkout under the Mac partition. There are limited alignment tools, but the Keynote design tools are more extensive than Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides.
Canva: This online program has a limited free option, as well as monthly and annual subscriptions at a cost. Many of the functions of Canva are free, but there are certain elements available via a subscription. Canva files are created online and can be downloaded as PNG, JPEG, or PDF. They do not always allow for collaboration in the free option. Additionally, alignment tools are there but are not easy to follow.
Piktochart: This online program has a limited free option, as well as monthly and annual subscriptions at a cost. Piktochart files are created online and can be downloaded as PNG files. These files are usually lower in resolution than a typical poster, but making the dimensions larger will allow for downsizing with a higher resolution. They do not allow for collaboration in the free option and they only allow for 5 active projects at a time. Additionally, alignment tools are difficult to use. However, this software is very good for making charts and graphs!
Adobe InDesign: This software is available to UW-Madison students, faculty, and staff via all computer lab machines, both in the labs and for checkout. Using an Adobe ID will allow for easy transition from one computer to another. With layers and alignment tools, this is one of the best options for creating posters if you know or have time to learn the software.
Adobe Illustrator: Like InDesign, this software is available to UW-Madison students, faculty, and staff via all computer lab machines, both in the labs and for checkout. Using an Adobe ID will allow for easy transition from one computer to another. With layers and alignment tools, this is another good alternative for creating posters if you know or have time to learn the software.
Adobe Photoshop: Like InDesign and Illustrator, this software is available to UW-Madison students, faculty, and staff via all computer lab machines, both in the labs and for checkout. Using an Adobe ID will allow for easy transition from one computer to another. With layers and alignment tools, as well as plenty of photo editing capabilities, this is another good alternative for creating posters if you know or have time to learn the software.
Poster on Posters Examples
DesignLab’s Standard Research Poster 1:
(with a cyan background and bounding boxes)
This poster was designed to mimic the typical research poster style with a background color and white bounding boxes for the text. You can find out a lot of information about sizing and layout by clicking on the poster to see the full size.
DesignLab’s Standard Research Poster 2:
(with a white background and no bounding boxes)
This poster was also designed to mimic the typical research poster style but with a white background and no visible bounding boxes. You can find out a lot of information about sizing and layout by clicking on the poster to see the full size.
DesignLab’s Creative Poster 1:
(without graphs/charts)
This poster was designed to break from the norms of a research poster. The main point in emphasized largely, with just the basic information in the smaller section. From a design perspective, this poster is much better than the standard posters on posters above at streamlining information and being more visually appealing. However, consult with other researchers and colleagues in your field before trying to break from the norms of research posters.
DesignLab’s Creative Poster 2:
(with a graph)
This poster was designed to break from the norms of a research poster. The main point in emphasized largely, with just the basic information in the smaller section. Unlike creative poster to the left that is full of text, this poster also incorporates only one graph here. While visuals are good on a poster, too many visuals can bog down the viewer and keep them from the main point of your research. Always place visuals with intention, and when in doubt keep to one.
Student-Made Examples
Designing Posters Instructional Video
Printing Posters at UW-Madison
Please note that DesignLab does not provide poster printing services. Below is a list of places on campus where you can print posters.
Poster printing services may not always be available. We recommend contacting the services directly to confirm.
College Library
College Library provides UW-Madison students, faculty, and staff access to a wide-format poster printer. Orders can be placed at the College Library Second Floor Service Desk (right by DesignLab!) any time the library is open. You must go in person to submit a poster.
Types of Print Material Available: Satin (semi-gloss) and Glossy
Size Limit: The shortest side can be no longer than 43 inches (Example: 48in x 36in is good to print because the shorter side is 36 inches, but 56in x 48in is not printable because the shorter side is more than 42 inches)
File Format Needed: TIFF, PNG or JPEG
File Naming Convention: FirstNameLastName-OneWordDescription.filetype (Example: HelenWhite-Biology.tif or BuckyBadger-Beverage.png)
Payment Options: They accept Wiscard (with Campus Cash or a print account or department funding), credit card (Visa and Mastercard), and department funding strings. No cash and Departmental credit cards (p-cards) are not accepted.
Turnaround Time: Posters are typically printed within a few hours, but can take up to 2 days.
Questions? See the College Library poster printing website here for cost and contact information.
Steenbock Library
Like College Library, Steenbock Library provides UW-Madison students, faculty, and staff access to a wide-format poster printer. Orders can be placed at the First Floor Service Desk any time the library is open. You must go in person to submit a poster.
Types of Print Material Available: Satin (semi-gloss)
Size Limit: The shortest side can be no longer than 43 inches (Example: 48in x 36in is good to print because the shorter side is 36 inches, but 56in x 48in is not printable because the shorter side is more than 42 inches)
File Format Needed: TIFF, PNG or JPEG
File Naming Convention: FirstNameLastName-OneWordDescription.filetype (Example: HelenWhite-Biology.tif or BuckyBadger-Beverage.png)
Payment Options: They accept Wiscard (with Campus Cash or a print account or department funding), credit card (Visa and Mastercard), and department funding strings. No cash and Departmental credit cards (p-cards) are not accepted.
Turnaround Time: Posters are typically printed within a few hours, but can take up to 2 days.
Questions? See the Steenbock Library poster printing website here for cost and contact information.
StudentPrint
StudentPrint, located in 333 E. Campus Mall Suite 3301, offers inexpensive printing options as well. Posters can be submitted online through their ordering form.
Types of Print Material Available: Heavyweight Coated, Semi-gloss Photo, Full-Gloss Photo, Adhesive Matte, and Tyvek
Size Limit: The shortest side can be no longer than 42 inches and can be up to 7 feet long (Example: 48in x 36in is good to print because the shorter side is 36 inches, but 56in x 48in is not printable because the shorter side is more than 42 inches)
Preferred Formats: PDF or Image Files (such as TIFF, PNG, or JPEG)
Payment Options: They accept cash, check, Visa or Mastercard and Wiscard. They can set up accounts for anyone with a Department Funding String (UDDS#). They also accept the following ASM funding: Operations Grants, Event Grants, Open Funds, and GSSF funding.
Turnaround Time: All printing has a 2 day guaranteed turnaround. **Turnaround times may be longer due to the pandemic.**
Questions? See the StudentPrint Services website page here to estimate the cost and learn more.
Digital Publishing and Printing Services (DoIT)
DPPS has 3 locations offering printing services to departments, faculty, campus guests, researchers, staff, state and federal government agencies, and students. All orders are submitted online through their ordering form.
Types of Print Material Available: Semi-gloss, Matte, Vinyl, and Polyester Cloth (with options for mounting and framing). Additionally, they have Event Display poster options in various sizes.
Size Limit: Depends on the material. Contact DPPS for more information.
Preferred Formats: PDF, Illustrator, EPS, or TIFF
Payment Options: They accept WisCard, DoIT Number, direct bill UDDS, or purchase order for external customers.
Turnaround Time: They can provide a reduced size printed proof or a PDF proof within four hours of receiving a Print Ready File. Your final poster will be available within 24 hours of DPPS receiving an approved proof. Additional time is required for quantity orders. After Hours poster printing is available, when scheduled ahead of time, during office hours.
Questions? See the DPPS website here to estimate the cost and learn more.
Media Solutions
Media Solutions is a fee for service department within the School of Medicine and Public Health. They are located in Room 1375 of the Health Sciences Learning Center at 750 Highland Ave. They focus on serving the Health Sciences faculty, staff, and students; however, they are available to work with all departments throughout the UW-Madison campus.
Types of Print Material Available: Archival Matte Paper & Fabric (poly-fabric) material
Size Limit: 44-inch Paper and 42-inch Fabric maximum height, no width limit
Preferred Formats: If made in PowerPoint, submit a PDF and PPT file. If made in another program, only a PDF file.
Payment Options: University Funding (UDDS Funding String) or personal payment by check. No credit or debit cards accepted.
Turnaround Time: 3 working days – Less than 48 hours is considered a rush and will incur a 50% extra charge
Questions? See the Media Solutions website here to learn more.
Troubleshooting Poster Printing at UW-Madison
Converting PowerPoint files to TIFF/PNG/JPEG
(for College & Steenbock Library printing)
Exporting PowerPoint (.PPT) files to image files can lead to a loss in resolution or change in size, especially with PowerPoint for Mac, but also with PowerPoint for Windows. We recommend the following process for converting files from .PPT to .TIFF/.PNG/.JPEG:
- In PowerPoint go to File > Export As and select PDF* from the format list.
- Save file as PDF.
- Open the PDF using Photoshop.
- In Photoshop, save the PDF as TIFF/PNG/JPEG.
As far as we have tested, you cannot use Adobe Acrobat or other programs to convert the PDF file to TIFF/PNG/JPEG. If you do not have Photoshop, it should be available in any campus computer lab and on checkout laptops.
*Files exported as PDF from PowerPoint maintain their dimensions and export at a resolution of 300 ppi, which is a relatively high resolution and good for printing.
Choosing the best file type: PDF vs. Image files (TIFF/PNG/JPEG)
(for Student Print and Digital Publishing and Printing)
Easiest Option and Highest Quality: PDF – acronym “Portable Document Format,” is used when for saving files that need to be easily shared and printed. PDF files embed all of the raster and vector images, charts/graphs, colors, and fonts within in the file, so anyone who views them will be able to see the same thing you see, and thus print exactly the same from computer to computer. PDF files can have multiple layers within the file and PDF files created typically retain transparencies when printed (although if you are running and out of date program, this may not be the case).
(for College & Steenbock Library printing)
Highest Quality: TIFF – acronym “Tagged Image File Format,” is used for storing raster graphics images. This format is popular among graphic artists, publishing, and photographers and is commonly used for print media. TIFF files can have multiple layers within the file and TIFF files retain transparencies when printed.
Middle Quality: PNG – acronym “Portable Network Graphic,” is commonly used to store web graphics and digital photographs. PNG files have a lossless compression (similar to .GIF) for smaller file size. PNG files have a flattened (non-layered) image but PNG files retain transparencies when printed.
Lowest Quality: JPEG – acronym “Joint Photographic Experts Group,” is a standard image format for containing lossy and compressed image data, leading to the smallest file size, but the lowest quality image. JPEG files have a flattened (non-layered) image and do not support transparencies, which are converted to the closest color or white.