Poster+Creation

Open PowerPoint from Office 2007.
 * How to Create a Research Poster with PowerPoint**

Right click on title slide shown by default. Select Layout and choose the Blank office theme.
 * Layout**

Click on the Design Tab and choose Page Setup.
 * Page Setup**

Click on slides sized for Custom from the drop-down menu. Size is in inches. Choose 30 (w) X 40 (h).

Tips:
 * Applications have [|page-size limitations]. PowerPoint's page-size limitation is 56" (height or width).

To choose a background for the poster, select the Design tab and Background Styles.
 * Background:**

Tips: To add a text box, select the Insert tab and choose Text Box. The text box will have grab handles that will allow you to move it anywhere on the poster. It will also have a rotation handle at the top. To add more text, insert another box. You can copy and paste text from other applications such as Microsoft Word.
 * If you use a dark background, choose light text. If you have a light background, choose dark text.
 * It is best to avoid printing dark backgrounds to save on toner.
 * Text**

To format the text box, right click on it and select Format Shape. You can select a fill color or pattern.

Tips:
 * Use text that contrasts with the background.
 * Use sans serif fonts. Arial or Calibri are good choices.
 * Use an 24 point or larger font.
 * Spellcheck! Go to the review tab and select the ABC Spelling icon.

Design tab, Shapes icon
 * Shapes**

Select the Insert tab and then Picture. Browse your computer to select and to add an image. There are Sample Pictures under Libraries-->Pictures. You can also download images from the Web that are in the public domain or under the [|Creative Commons] license. Web images may have relatively low resolutions (e.g., 72 dpi).
 * Images**

Tips:
 * Use a photo editor such as [|Picnik] to edit images to maintain proportions.

It is best to embed fonts into your poster so that your poster looks the same no matter what computer it is displayed on. To embed the fonts, choose the Office button, select Save As, select the Tools drop-down menu next to the Save button. Check the box Embed Fonts in the File and choose the option to Embed all Characters (best for editing by others). Choose a name and file location and click Save.
 * Saving**

To preview what your poster will look like printed, go to the Office button at the top left of the display, select Print, and Print Preview. Click on Options and Scale to Fit Paper to see all the elements on your poster.
 * Printing**

Poster printing is available on the [|HP DesignJet Z6100 Poster Printer] in 004 Smith Hall.


 * If you only see a blank page in Print Preview, chances are you did not click on Options and Scale to Fit Paper. Your poster is huge compared to the standard letter-size paper.
 * Before printing, know the application's and printer's supported dimensions.

[|Poster Guidelines]
 * Sharing**
 * [|Google Docs]
 * [|Dropbox]
 * Further information**

Research Poster Examples [|1.] [|2.] [|Poster Templates]