Presenting Research › Module 4: Posters
Readable from two metres
Lesson 2 of 3 · 2 min
People look at posters from across an aisle, often two metres away or more. If they have to step closer to read the title, most won't.
Type sizes that work (for a typical A0 or 36×48 inch poster)
| Element | Size |
|---|---|
| Title | 85 points or more |
| Main finding | As large as fits; often 100+ points |
| Section headings | 44–60 points |
| Body text | 24–32 points |
| Figure labels | 24 points or more |
- Title
- Size: 85 points or more
- Main finding
- Size: As large as fits; often 100+ points
- Section headings
- Size: 44–60 points
- Body text
- Size: 24–32 points
- Figure labels
- Size: 24 points or more
Test: print your poster on A4 paper. If you can read all the text at arm's length, it'll be readable on the full poster from about two metres.
Layout
- Columns of text, not lines stretching across the whole width.
- White space around blocks: crowded posters look hard and get skipped.
- Alignment: line up blocks and figures along the same edges.
- Visual hierarchy: the eye should go to the finding first, then figures, then text.
Colour and contrast
- Dark text on a light background is most readable in bright halls.
- Use colour to group or highlight, not to decorate.
- Check figures are colour-blind safe (viridis, not rainbow).
Check the venue's rules
Size and orientation (portrait or landscape) vary. Read the instructions before you design.
RememberTitle and finding readable from two metres. Body text at least about 24 points. Columns, white space and contrast.