Academic Poster Printing

Guidelines for Poster Printing

The wide format printer located in the Center for Experiential Learning and Research (CELAR) is designated as an academic poster printer.  Students will be permitted to print posters or other wide-format media for academic purposes only.  Examples of academic purposes:

• Presentations at off campus academic conferences
• Academic presentations on campus for events such as Honors Week       
• Class presentations when professors agree that the department will fund the poster printing (note:  this activity will be limited to special circumstances to curtail unusually large volumes of printing)

In order to print a poster in the CELAR students or professors should come during open poster printing hours or make an appointment with the director.  

Open Poster Printing Hours for Fall 08:

Students will need to have the Approval for Poster Printing form signed in advance by their professor or advisor in order to print a poster.  Please note that each poster will cost the department $10, excluding the cost of one test print, if necessary.

Some Helpful Hints For Conference Poster Presentations

1. Consult with your conference organizers on the allowable dimensions for your poster.  Commonly poster dimensions will be approximately 42” width x 30” height.  Also find out what type of surface your poster will be mounted to which will help you determine if you need to bring along thumbtacks or Velcro strips.
   
   
2. Limit your text.  Most individuals will not be willing or able to read a lengthy script.  Bullet lists are even most appropriate (in certain cases). Your font size (within text or graphics) should be such that the poster can be easily read while standing 2 feet away.  Typically a font size of 14 will accomplish this goal.  The main title should generally have a font size ~30.
   
   
3. Avoid flashy colors or overuse of color, especially solid color backgrounds which consume large amounts of ink, require longer drying times, and really do not enhance the poster.
   
   
4. Consider placing an Albright Logo in one corner of your poster or as a faded watermark behind your images and text.  Several options are available on the Albright intranet.
   
   
5. Consider printing out an 8.5 x 11 version of your poster to hand out at the conference.