Creating posters to present scientific data
The print and its challenges
NB: Even once you have all the content together and nicely arranged, something can still go wrong. So plan enough time for this step so that it is possible to reprint the poster.
Print your figures in their final size (possibly without the rest of the poster).
Check the printout for resolution and colour fidelity.
Look at the printout from 3 m away to make sure all the essential content:
- is displayed large enough
- the figure has sufficient contrast (here your main concern is the legibility of the captions).
The final print
Despite all the preparation and even test prints, in the end the finished poster may still not look the way you imagined it.
Decide early on where you are going to have your poster printed. Note the processing times of your provider and, if in doubt, talk to the provider again before placing the order, to ensure whether the poster can be finished by the required date.
It may well be that your test prints on your home printer produce perfect results, but the final print has washed out images or that the printed colours differ significantly from the colours you have chosen.
Tip: Poster printing at Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen Computing Centre
What kind of paper?
What kind of paper?
Posters look better on glossy paper with a weight of over 200 g/sqm than on matt, thin paper.
However, this type of paper is also more expensive and not every supplier offers every size of paper in every quality.
- The best way to decide which type of paper to choose is often to look at the papers yourself and possibly actually pick them up and hold them. It is also helpful to see a section of the poster printed on the different types of paper.
- It may make sense to have your poster laminated as well, e.g. because you have to transport it a long way or if you expect it to be on display for a longer period of time. Some printers also offer printable fabrics (canvas).
- Where applicable, you should find out what material the poster boards will be made of and how the posters will be attached to them (drawing pins, magnets, (double-sided) adhesive tape).