Nursing Tools

DO

• Consider your audience
• Have a focused, succinct message
• Determine size requirements (how big should the poster be), what layout (square, landscape rectangle, etc)
• Use text sparingly with no large blocks of text
• Text size matters! Must be readable from 10 ft away. Approximate recommended sizes:
  • 85+ pt for Title
  • 56+ pt for Authors
  • 36+ pt for Subheadings
  • 24+ pt for Body text
  • 18+ pt for Captions
• Group author names and affiliations
• Use images/tables/graphs to tell the story and engage reader
• Use images at least 150 dpi
• Include your contact information
• Have peers give you feedback prior to printing

DON'T

• Use dark or heavy backgrounds
• Use more than 2-3 colors
• Forget to leave white (blank) space to keep your poster readable and uncluttered
• Use someone's else image without seeking permission or crediting your source
• Mix and match content boxes...most people start reading from the top left
• Have images that seem too small or blurry (will look worse once enlarged)
• Order too late!
• Rely only on the poster to tell your story, make sure you have 3-5 min verbal explanation ready