Poster Presenter Instructions

POSTER DESIGN TIPS

 Choosing the Right Font and Font Size

• Avoid all uppercase type for titles.
• Use no more than 2 or 3 compatible typefaces throughout the poster.
• Keep font size ≥ 24-point font for all text. Font sizes used in template poster as a sample:
  • Main Finding or Title: 130 pts
  • Subtitles: 44-72 pts
  • Headings: 50-60 pts
  • Body Text: 30 pts
  • Figure Labels: 24 pts

Adding Tables, Figures, and Images

• Use graphic elements often. Posters are a visual format. 
• Use photographs sparingly.
• Avoid using hand drawn images, figures, charts, or tables.
• Use high-quality images that look good on screen or printed. Avoid pixelated images.
• Use appropriate charts/graphs for the type of data you are presenting.
  • Pie charts are best for showing percentage breakdowns of a whole.
  • Line charts are best for showing trends.
  • Bar charts are best for comparing quantities.
  • Tables are best for showing side-by-side comparisons of quantitative data.
• Label all figures, drawings, photos, charts, and graphs.
• Give credit to the original creator of an image or graphic.

Deciding on Layout and Text

• Keep at least a 1-inch margin on all sides.
• Limit the amount of text on the poster to 300-500 words.
• Break up longer sections of text with graphics or bulleted lists.
• Use plain language. Avoid acronyms and jargon unless the majority of viewers know them.
• Use blank space to avoid a cluttered look, and to create defined sections of your poster. Blank space is your friend! 

Choosing Colors

• Use a high contrast between the color of the text and the background. For example, use a light color for the background with a dark colored text or a darker background with light text.   
• Avoid harsh colors (e.g., neon colors) or color combinations that are hard to read (e.g., red and green, red and black, light green and yellow, green and blue, purple and red).
• Limit the number of colors (photos and drawings don’t count) on the poster to 3 or 4.
• Use color and design to create a point of emphasis and a flow for the viewer’s eye to follow.
• Use color to evoke emotion that reinforces what your poster is teaching.

Designing for Accessibility

Ensure accessibility by considering these recommendations: 

• Color Contrast: To maximize readability, ensure there is sufficient color contrast between text and background colors. Use a color contrast checker such as WebAIM to check contrast between text and background color.
• Text Alternatives: For all meaningful images, develop descriptive text, known as alternative text or alt text for short, that screen readers can detect. The alt text should be concise and illustrative. 

Note: Microsoft PowerPoint has a built-in accessibility checker that is located under the Review tab.

Adding Quick Response (QR) Codes

The STI Prevention Conference supports the use of presenters using QR codes on posters, slides, and other resources. Follow the guidelines below if using QR codes.

• QR codes must link to educational content relevant to the poster or presentation on which the QR code is place.
• Do not use QR codes to link to advertisements, copies of audio or video presentations, or websites with for-profit company branding.