Guides
Academic Poster Checklist: 12 Things to Check Before You Print
Quick answer: Before you print an academic poster, check five things first: the size and orientation the conference asks for, image resolution (300 DPI at the final size), text size (body text at least 24pt on A0), names and logos, and that you export a PDF with fonts embedded. The 12-point checklist below covers everything else.
Most poster problems we see are small and easy to fix before printing, but expensive and stressful to fix the night before a conference. Work through this checklist once your design is finished, ideally the day before you order, when you can look at it with fresh eyes.
The 12-point checklist
Size and layout
- Size matches the guidelines. Check the paper size (for example A0 or A1) and whether the conference wants portrait or landscape. Our A0 vs A1 guide explains the difference.
- Document is set to the final size. Set up your PowerPoint, InDesign, Illustrator or Canva file at the exact size you are printing, for example 841 × 1189 mm for A0.
- Nothing important is near the edge. Keep text, logos and figure labels at least 2 cm from the edges of the page.
Text
- Text is big enough. On A0, aim for a title of 85–100pt, headings of 36–48pt and body text of at least 24pt. On A1, use roughly 70% of these sizes.
- Proofread everything. Check spelling, author names, affiliations, email addresses and references. Ask a colleague to read it too.
- There is enough white space. If the poster looks crowded on screen, it will look crowded on the board. Cut words before you shrink the font.
Images, charts and logos
- Images are at least 300 DPI at the final size. Zoom to 100% on screen: if an image looks blurry or pixelated, it will print that way.
- Charts and graphs are vectors where possible. Export graphs from Excel, R, Python, GraphPad or Origin as PDF, SVG or EPS so lines stay sharp.
- Logos are the official high-resolution versions. Download university and funder logos from their brand pages rather than copying them from a website.
- QR codes work. Scan every QR code with your phone from about a metre away, and make it at least 3 cm wide.
The file
- Export a PDF with fonts embedded. PDF keeps your layout and fonts exactly as designed. Choose the highest quality or “press quality” export setting. JPG and PNG files are also accepted.
- Check the PDF, not just the design file. Open the exported PDF, zoom in on text and figures, and check the page size in the document properties. Files can be up to 150MB.
Our artwork guide explains file setup for each program in more detail, and our guide to making an academic poster covers layout and design.
Common last-minute problems
| Problem | Quick fix |
|---|---|
| Designed in A4 but need A0 | Change the slide size to A0 before adding content, or scale up and check every image is still sharp. |
| Microscopy or photo looks blurry | Re-export from the original software at a higher resolution instead of using a screenshot. |
| Fonts look different in the PDF | Re-export with “embed fonts” turned on, or use common fonts such as Arial or Calibri. |
| Poster is too text-heavy | Turn paragraphs into bullet points and move detail to a handout or QR code. |
Ready to print?
Upload your PDF on our A0 poster printing page or any size page from A1 to A4. We check every file before printing and contact you if we spot a problem. Order before 12PM Monday to Friday for same-day printing, and see how long poster printing takes to choose the right delivery option.
Frequently asked questions
What resolution should an academic poster be?
Images should be at least 300 DPI at the final printed size. Charts and text exported as vectors from a PDF will stay sharp at any size.
What file format is best for printing a poster?
PDF with fonts embedded is best, because it keeps your layout and fonts exactly as designed. We also accept JPG and PNG files up to 150MB.
What font size should I use on an A0 poster?
Use a title of about 85–100pt, headings of 36–48pt and body text of at least 24pt so the poster can be read from a metre or two away.
Will you check my poster before printing?
Yes. We check every file for problems such as low resolution or the wrong size, and contact you before printing if we find one.
