Technical Help

We provide these helpful tips as a resource for you. If you don’t find the information you’re looking for, please give us a call 846-1055 or e-mail us at spgm@ncifcrf.gov.

Scientific Posters

One-piece posters

When we are designing your poster, it's best if you provide your text in a document such as MS Word or Word Perfect, and your images in their original form. If images are already embedded into PowerPoint or Microsoft Word, that's okay, too - however, we usually have to extract those images before we can use them. We also can provide scanning and color correction services.

If you prefer to build your own poster, we recommend using a page layout program such as Adobe InDesign, or a graphic program such as Adobe Illustrator. See also: Supported Software, Presentation Tips.

PowerPoint can be used to build poster presentations, but be aware that this software was not designed for high-resolution printing and problems can occur as a result. We strongly recommend making a proof print and allowing time to address any difficulties encountered.

Here are some things to keep in mind when using PowerPoint for posters:

• Set your page size to the actual size of the finished poster whenever possible; or to half-size if it is larger than 56 inches
• Ensure your images are at least 150 dpi at their final printed size
• PowerPoint does not alert us about any missing fonts used in your document-review your proof print carefully for any font issues.
         PC users: Be sure to select "embed" fonts from the "save" options tab under the "tools" menu. This will ensure that your text will appear in the finished poster as you had intended.
     Mac users: Please inform us if you have used any special fonts.
  
  Basic poster templates which include appropriate logos and suggestions for an effective presentation are available from SPGM at http://web.ncifcrf.gov/spgmposters.
  

Multi-piece posters

The benefits of a multi-panel poster are that it is usually quick and inexpensive to produce and it can travel flat, usually in your briefcase or ordinary luggage, whereas one-piece posters have to be packed separately, in a tube or box.

We can produce a multi-piece poster for you, from your text and images, or help you turn your onscreen PowerPoint presentation into a poster. In either case, bring us your Microsoft Word, Word Perfect and/or PowerPoint files.

• If you build your presentation in PowerPoint, it’s best to use TrueType fonts. If you use a PC, be sure to select the “embed fonts” option on the “save” options tab under “tools”.
• You should change the page layout size to the actual size you want your poster panels to be printed – usually 8-½” x 11” (letter) or 11” x 17” (tabloid). This way you can take best advantage of the actual size and proportion of the page you’ll be working with.
• Remember to take into account the extra space (usually ½” all around) taken up by the mounting board.
• Default paper sizes aren’t always space efficient. If you know the size of the display board you’ll be assigned, it’s a good idea to figure out how your panels will fit on the board. Sometimes it works best to plan for a custom panel size to take best advantage of the space.

Poster Titles

We can make your poster title in color or black and white, and it can be made to roll up, or to fold flat.

• Bring us your text file and your size and space requirements.
• If you’re planning a multi-piece poster that you know will be a tight fit, we can help you plan how to fit your panels together, and make your title a custom size which will take best advantage of the space available.
• If we’re producing your title, and you’re producing your own poster panels, we’ll do our best to match your fonts and colors. Just tell us what you need!