POSTER PRESENTER INFORMATION

Poster Guidelines

Scientific posters are meant to be conversation starters and networking tools. A well- designed poster will catch the eye and draw people in so you can share the specifics of your research with the audience. Below are some high-level tips and guidelines for designing your poster, followed by a list of resources that go into more depth.

Designing excellent science communication products takes time! Start early and plan to

spend a couple weeks on it. If you finish earlier, great!

1. Poster Dimensions & Resolution

There are many different software programs you can use to make a poster. Microsoft PowerPoint is a common tool for creating posters, and if the desktop app is not provided through your organization, you can access it free through a web browser. Other software options you might consider are Google Slides, Canva, InDesign, and Figma.

Be sure to start by defining the size of the slide or document to your desired poster dimensions.

Dimensions: The poster boards at the Bay-Delta Science Conference are 96” wide x 48” tall. Ensure your poster will fit on the board and leave space for you to stand next to the poster. Typical conference poster size is 48” wide x 36” tall (note: your poster can be portrait or landscape).

Resolution: All images and graphics should be at least 300 dpi (dots per inch) to ensure crisp, professional presentation. Avoid using web-quality images (usually 72dpi), as they appear blurry when printed.

Margins & Bleed: Leave a minimum 1-inch margin around all edges for readability and

printing safety.

2. Font Choices & Sizes

• Recommended Fonts: Use clear, sans-serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica. Avoid decorative and serif fonts, as they can be hard to read and are less accessible.

• Title: 85 - 120 pt (centered and bold for visibility across the room).

• Section Headings: 50 - 70 pt (bold and easy to spot).

• Body Text: 28 - 40 pt (never smaller than 28 pt. If it feels cramped, cut text!).

• Captions/Labels: 24 - 28 pt (keep them brief and clear).

3. Minimize Text, Maximize White Space

• Keep it simple: Use bullet points or concise statements and avoid full paragraphs. Aim for less than 800 words total.

• White space: Leave ample space between sections, images, and text. White space makes your poster visually inviting and easier to navigate. A visually appealing poster will likely have about 40% white space.

• Key takeaways: Highlight main findings, methods, and conclusions in a few short sentences or bullets.

4. Simplify Graphs & Images

• Clarity over complexity: Use simple, high-contrast graphs and visuals. Remove gridlines, unnecessary legends, and background colors.

• Limit visuals: Choose 2–4 powerful images or figures that directly support your message.

• Captions: Keep captions concise; explain what the viewer should notice in the image or graph.

5. Useful Extras

• QR Codes: Consider adding a QR code linking to your full paper, digital version of your poster, or supplementary materials.• Contact Info: Include your name, institution, and email address.

• Color Scheme: Use a consistent palette—no more than 3 colors (plus black/white). Ensure strong and accessible contrast between text/background.

• Proofread: Double-check spelling, grammar, and data accuracy before printing.

6. Final Checklist

• Is your poster readable from 3–5 feet away?

• Are your main messages clear at a glance?

• Have you removed all unnecessary text and visuals?

• Did you use high-resolution images and proper font sizes?

Remember: Your poster’s job is not to tell everything, it’s to spark interest and conversation. Make it visually appealing, easy to follow, and focused on the essentials.

7. Prepare an Elevator Pitch

In advance of the poster session, prepare a 30-60 second elevator pitch describing the importance of your research. It should include a hook and let the audience know why they should care about your research. You can go into details based on audience questions, using your poster as a tool as you converse with attendees. You should practice your elevator pitch several times before the conference.

8. Additional Resources

• How to design an award-winning scientific conference poster

• A Microbiologist’s Bible of Creating Stunning Posters - MTG

• Presentation Design Skills and Poster Design Skills — Echo Rivera

• WCAG Color Contrast Checker – Accessible Web

• There are many more good examples online!