Your One Stop for Poster Presentations
Note: SU branded PowerPoint presentation templates are on the Guidelines, Policies & Templates Page.
Abstract Guides
Write a first-class abstract!
Create Your Poster
Don’t Use Google Slides
Creating your poster in Google Slides will render images blurry when printed.
Poster Templates
Download a Template (40w x 32h). Do not open in Google Slides. If you create a custom poster in PowerPoint, you must change the size in the Design Tab (see Poster Design below).
Include References
To avoid using valuable poster space for references, add a sentence along the bottom that says “References Available Separately” then print a reference sheet for visitors to pick up. Check out Adding References to a Poster from The Oxford University Press.
Poster Design
Please place only one SU Logo on your poster per the SU Graphics and Editorial Style Guide.
- Title: Use 68-72 point font size readable from 10 feet (3 meters)
- Section Headers: Use 40-52 point font size
- Main body text: Use at least 24-34 point font size
- Fonts: Use sans-serif fonts such as Calibri, Gill Sans, Arial
- Less Words: Use bullets, figures, images, graphs, tables to illustrate your work
- White Space: Leave plenty of space between elements so your audience can easily distinguish separate ideas
- Avoid jargon: Design your poster for a general audience
- Organization: Create a sensible flow from one section to the next
- Emphasize: Highlight the core aspects of your work with images or graphs
1. Open PowerPoint
2. Select a Blank Presentation
3. Select Layout and click Blank
4. Click the Designs tab (at the top)
5. Click Slide Size (at the far right)
6. Select Page Setup
7. Set Width and Height to your preferred size (32 x 40 for SUpr Summit)
9. Click OK
You are now ready to design your poster.
When finished, Click File, Save As, select PDF.
Humanities and Social Science Posters
Looking for proven techniques or inspiration? David Forrest’s Web Article “Creating and Presenting Posters in the Humanities” provides guidelines, tips, and examples for designing humanities posters. Examples for social sciences, natural sciences, and humanities can be found on the Washington University in St. Louis web site.
Printing
The SU Copy Center can print your poster on glossy paper at an affordable price. Please allow at least 2 days for printing, drying, and trimming. Email your poster PDF to copycenter@su.edu.
Presentation Tips
Check out the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library for Elements of a Great Poster Presentation, or use the quick list below.
- Describe your project to the judges in 5-7 minutes
- Answer judges questions thoughtfully and thoroughly
- Smile—Be positive and professional
- Be proactive—Approach a viewer who is looking at your poster
- Compliment other exhibitors and graciously accept compliments on your work
Poster Examples
You can get ideas for your poster from the short video below (no audio).
Poster Archive
CTLT has set up an archive for posters to inspire others. Please send a copy of your poster as PDF to ctlt@su.edu.