Style Considerations

Use color wisely

It can enhance or destroy a poster. Colored borders, bullets and blocks serve to draw attention to specific details. Dark letters on light background are easiest to read. Stick to a theme of 2-3 colors. For example, don't use bright yellow text on a white background.

Text size

All text should be large enough to read from 1-2 meters, including the text in figures. The title should be larger, to attract attention from far away.

Main headings

Should be brief and to the point. Use a simple font ranging from 140 to 200 point sizes (about 2 inches high). For maximum legibility, use capitals with lowercase lettering.

Backgrounds

Taken from the Web or a source other than PowerPoint, backgrounds may not print properly. Posters with a colored background that starts with a tile-like center and gradient that gets either lighter or darker around and away from the center do not print correctly. Do not choose such backgrounds.

Objects

Make sure they are grouped (and set forward or backward accordingly) before saving the final product.

Draft prints

Small desktop printers use less ink and do not capture the full color range or exact location of objects the same as a large plotter.