How to Prepare your Poster for Printing on the Large Format Printer

I. Create Your Blank Poster Template

  1. Open PowerPoint 2007 to create a new file
  2. Proceed to the Design Tab and click Page Setup
  3. Specify the Width and Height of your poster in inches. Note: The maximum printing area is 56” x 42”, but typical posters may be 32” x 42”, 36” x 42”, 48” x 42”, etc.  Please discuss the proper size for your poster with your instructor
 page setup
poster size

II. Remove the formatting from the slide

  1. Proceed to the Home Tab and click Layout
  2. Select the Blank slide option

 

layout

You have now set up the basic template for your full size poster, and you may begin adding content. If you have an existing PowerPoint presentation that you would like to turn into a poster, click the following link for alternate instructions: Creating a Poster from an existing PowerPoint Presentation

III. Adding a Title and other Text to your Poster

  1. Proceed to the Insert Tab and click Text Box
  2. The cursor will turn into crosshairs.  Click and drag your mouse to create a box where you wish to place your title (you can edit the size of the text box later, if necessary)
  3. Type your title into the text box (you can edit the text later, if necessary)
  4. Repeat this process for adding additional text boxes to your poster, as needed
Note: To move or alter the size/shape of your text box, place your cursor over a corner of the text box until it changes shape to look like either 2 or 4 black arrows. If the cursor changes to 2 arrows, click and drag your mouse to change the size of your text box. If the cursor changes to 4 arrows, click and drag your mouse to move the text box.

IV. Adding Images and Logos

  1. Proceed to the Insert Tab and click Picture
  2. In the dialog box that appears, browse to the location of the image on your computer and click the Insert button
  3. You may now move or resize the image within PowerPoint. To alter the size/shape of your image, place your cursor over a corner of the image until the cursor changes shape to look like either 2 or 4 black arrows. If the cursor changes to 2 arrows, click and drag your mouse to change the size of your image. If the cursor changes to 4 arrows, click and drag your mouse to move the image.
You may also insert Charts or Tables into your PowerPoint presentation by following these steps and selecting the appropriate option from the Insert Tab. 		insert image

V. Finishing Up

  1. When you are done adding content, proofread your poster and double-check your size
  2. Save the PowerPoint file to a removable storage device, such as a USB flash drive or a CD
  3. Print and fill out the Poster Printing Form and have it signed by your professor
  4. Bring the signed form and your PowerPoint file to the Print Shop to have it printed by their staff

Tips on proper poster design:

  1. Do not use colored backgrounds. Your poster will print faster and look cleaner with a white background (and could potentially cost you less money for printing)
  2. Proofread your poster before submitting it to be printed. If possible, have a friend or colleague proofread it as well to minimize mistakes. You don't want to pay the Print Shop for multiple versions of your poster due to your own errors.
  3. If you are using a photograph or logo, ensure that it is of high enough resolution so that it does not appear pixilated when viewing the poster at a zoom-rate of 100%