IN THIS GUIDE
1. Message and audience
Can a passer-by read the title from three metres and understand the main finding in ten seconds? Is there one large take-home statement near the top? Does the poster tell them what you want next (a conversation, a collaboration, a citation)?
2. Reading path
Do columns read top to bottom, left to right, in the order you would speak? Are sections numbered or clearly headed? Is the results panel the largest element on the poster?
3. Typography
Title 85–120 pt, section headings 36–48 pt, body 24–32 pt, captions no smaller than 18 pt. One sans-serif family throughout. Lines of body text no longer than 60–70 characters.
4. Figures
Are figures at least 1500 px on the long side or true vectors? Do axis labels read at poster distance? Do all figures share the same palette? Have you removed chart junk (gridlines, 3D effects, redundant legends)?
5. Colour and white space
No more than one accent colour plus neutrals. Minimum 30% of the poster left empty. Backgrounds plain or very subtle; text always on a plain area.
6. Print specifications
Correct final size (A0 841 × 1189 mm; 36 × 48 in in North America), 3 mm bleed if required, CMYK or the printer's profile, fonts embedded or outlined, exported as PDF. PaperPict's Scientific Poster Maker exports print PDF and editable PPTX at these sizes.
7. Before you leave
QR code to the paper or preprint, your email visible, a printed A4 handout version, and a spare copy of the file on your phone.
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