Poster Design: Tips for Creating a Successful Poster

UWF Printing Services recommends the following software for developing your poster:

• Microsoft Publisher

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop) - Available in the UWF Libraries' Skylab

• GIMP - a free image editing software online

Photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop or GIMP is recommended for manipulating images.  From there, you may insert them into MS Publisher.

• Canva is also a great graphic design software (free!)

What about PowerPoint?

Powerpoint is a popular software for creating posters. UWF Printing Services does not recommend using it, however, because there is usually a discrepancy between how the PowerPoint file looks on a computer screen and how it actually prints. They state, "It is not uncommon for PowerPoint posters to print with missing graphics, mismatched colors, or incorrect formatting."

• Create your custom page size before you start designing


• Under Page Design/Guides
  
  
  • You may set Ruler Guides (horizontal or vertical)
• Under Format, you may select a background
  
  
  • You may select a solid, gradient, texture, pattern, or picture background


• To add text, go to "insert" to put in a text box. Text boxes may be sized to fit into your layout guide.  They may also be rotated.


• Pictures may be added by clicking "Insert" and selecting a picture from your computer.  They may also be rotated and re-sized. Enlargening pictures too much may cause distortion and poor picture quality.


• You may also insert charts from Excel