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gh-k-dense-ai-claude-scient…/skills/venue-templates/references/posters_guidelines.md
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Research Poster Guidelines

Comprehensive guidelines for creating effective academic research posters including sizing, layout, typography, and design best practices.

Last Updated: 2024

Standard Poster Sizes

International Sizes (ISO 216)

Size Dimensions (mm) Dimensions (inches) Common Use
A0 841 × 1189 33.1 × 46.8 Most common international standard
A1 594 × 841 23.4 × 33.1 Smaller conferences, travel-friendly
A2 420 × 594 16.5 × 23.4 Mini posters, small venues

US Sizes

Size Dimensions (inches) Dimensions (mm) Common Use
36" × 48" 36 × 48 914 × 1219 Common US conference size (portrait)
42" × 56" 42 × 56 1067 × 1422 Large format US posters
48" × 36" 48 × 36 1219 × 914 Landscape orientation
48" × 96" 48 × 96 1219 × 2438 Extra-wide format

Other Common Sizes

Size Dimensions Notes
90 cm × 120 cm 900 × 1200 mm / 35.4 × 47.2 in Common in Europe
40" × 30" 1016 × 762 mm Landscape format
3 ft × 4 ft 914 × 1219 mm / 36 × 48 in Same as 36×48

Orientation

  • Portrait: Most common (height > width)
    • Better for long visual flows (top to bottom)
    • Examples: A0, 36"×48"
  • Landscape: Less common but sometimes preferred
    • Better for wide content, timelines
    • Examples: 48"×36", 40"×30"

Always verify: Check conference specifications before designing!

Typography and Font Sizes

Recommended Font Sizes by Distance

Posters are viewed from 3-6 feet (1-2 meters) away:

Element Size Range Recommended
Title 60-85 pt 72-85 pt
Author Names 48-60 pt 54 pt
Affiliations 32-40 pt 36 pt
Section Headers 36-48 pt 42 pt
Body Text 24-32 pt 28 pt
Figure Captions 20-24 pt 22 pt
References 18-22 pt 20 pt

Font Families

Sans-Serif (Recommended for Posters):

  • Arial
  • Helvetica
  • Calibri
  • Futura
  • Gill Sans
  • Why: Clean, readable at distance

Serif (Use Sparingly):

  • Times New Roman
  • Georgia
  • Palatino
  • When: Body text if preferred, but sans-serif better for headers

Monospace:

  • Courier New
  • Consolas
  • When: Code snippets only

Typography Best Practices

  1. Limit fonts: Use 1-2 font families maximum
  2. Hierarchy: Establish clear size hierarchy
  3. Weight: Use bold for emphasis, not italics
  4. Alignment: Left-align body text, center title
  5. Spacing: Generous line spacing (1.2-1.5)
  6. Consistency: Same fonts for similar elements

Layout and Design Principles

Grid-Based Layouts

Column Structures:

Layout Columns Best For
Single Column 1 Simple, linear flow; timeline posters
Two Column 2 Most common; balanced layout
Three Column 3 Dense content; multi-part studies
Four Column 4 Very dense; avoid if possible

Recommended: 2 or 3 columns for most research posters

Visual Flow

Reading Order (Western conventions):

  1. Top to bottom
  2. Left to right
  3. Z-pattern or F-pattern

Section Ordering (typical):

+----------------------------------+
|            TITLE                 |
|     Authors, Affiliations        |
+----------------------------------+
| Introduction | Results           |
|              |                   |
| Methods      | Discussion        |
|              |                   |
| [Optional]   | Conclusions       |
+----------------------------------+
|         References / QR Code     |
+----------------------------------+

Spacing and Margins

  • Outer margins: 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) all sides
  • Column spacing: 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm)
  • Inter-section spacing: 0.5-1 inch
  • White space: 30-40% of poster should be white space

Avoid: Dense, text-heavy layouts with minimal white space

Color Schemes

Colorblind-Safe Palettes

Use colorblind-friendly color combinations:

Okabe-Ito Palette (Recommended):

  • Orange: #E69F00
  • Sky Blue: #56B4E9
  • Bluish Green: #009E73
  • Yellow: #F0E442
  • Blue: #0072B2
  • Vermillion: #D55E00
  • Reddish Purple: #CC79A7
  • Black: #000000
  • Gray: #999999

Viridis Palette (sequential):

  • Good for heatmaps and gradients
  • Colorblind-safe and perceptually uniform

Color Usage Guidelines

Background:

  • White or light gray: Most common, professional
  • Light colored: Pale blue, beige (use cautiously)
  • Avoid dark backgrounds: Harder to read, expensive to print

Text:

  • Dark on light: Black or dark gray text on white/light backgrounds
  • Contrast ratio: At least 4.5:1 (WCAG AA standard)

Accent Colors:

  • Use 2-3 accent colors maximum
  • Section headers, key findings
  • Consistent throughout poster

Figures:

  • Colorblind-safe palettes
  • Sufficient contrast
  • Test in grayscale

Color Contrast Tools

Content Structure

Essential Sections

1. Title Section

  • Title: Clear, specific, engaging
  • Authors: Names (underline presenting author)
  • Affiliations: Institutions, departments
  • Logo: Institutional logo (corner)
  • Contact: Email, QR code to paper/website

2. Introduction/Background

  • Purpose: Context and motivation
  • Length: 100-200 words
  • Include:
    • Problem statement
    • Research gap
    • Objectives/hypothesis

3. Methods

  • Purpose: How you did the study
  • Format:
    • Bullet points preferred
    • Flow diagram if complex
    • Key parameters
  • Include: Sample size, procedures, analysis

4. Results

  • Purpose: What you found
  • Format: Primarily visual (figures, tables, charts)
  • Include:
    • Key findings (2-4 main results)
    • Statistical significance
    • Visual evidence

5. Discussion/Conclusions

  • Purpose: What it means
  • Length: 100-200 words
  • Include:
    • Interpretation
    • Implications
    • Limitations
    • Future work

6. References

  • Format: Small font, abbreviated citations
  • Include: Key citations only (5-10)
  • Style: Any consistent style

Optional Sections

  • Abstract: Sometimes included, often omitted
  • Acknowledgments: Funding, collaborators
  • Future Work: Next steps

Visual Elements

Figures and Plots

Principles:

  1. Simplify: Remove clutter, emphasize key points
  2. Enlarge: Make larger than in paper
  3. Label clearly: Large axis labels, legends
  4. Standalone: Each figure tells a complete story
  5. High resolution: 300 dpi minimum

Figure Types:

  • Photographs: High quality, cropped appropriately
  • Graphs: Bar charts, line plots, scatter plots
  • Heatmaps: Use colorblind-safe colormaps
  • Schematics: Diagrams, flowcharts
  • Tables: Simple tables (complex tables → figure)

Tables

When to Use:

  • Precise numerical values needed
  • Comparisons across conditions
  • Summary statistics

Best Practices:

  • Keep simple: 3-5 columns, 5-10 rows maximum
  • Large fonts: Same size as body text
  • Clear headers: Bold column/row headers
  • Alternating rows: Light shading for readability
  • Minimal lines: Horizontal lines only (no vertical)

Icons and Graphics

Use:

  • Icons for visual interest (methods, concepts)
  • Simple graphics to break text
  • Arrows to guide flow

Sources:

Caution: Don't overuse; maintain professionalism

LaTeX Poster Packages

beamerposter

Description: Extension of Beamer for posters
Best For: Academic conferences, classic layout
Pros:

  • Familiar to Beamer users
  • Clean, professional appearance
  • Many themes available

Cons:

  • Less flexible than tikzposter
  • Can be verbose

Template: assets/posters/beamerposter_academic.tex

Example Usage:

\documentclass[final]{beamer}
\usepackage[size=a0,scale=1.24]{beamerposter}
\usetheme{Berlin}

tikzposter

Description: Modern poster package using TikZ
Best For: Colorful, modern designs
Pros:

  • Highly customizable
  • Modern, attractive themes
  • Block-based layout

Cons:

  • Steeper learning curve
  • Can be slow to compile

Template: assets/posters/tikzposter_research.tex

Example Usage:

\documentclass[25pt, a0paper, portrait]{tikzposter}
\usetheme{Autumn}
\usecolorstyle{Denmark}

baposter

Description: Box-and-poster system
Best For: Structured, multi-column layouts
Pros:

  • Excellent column control
  • Header boxes, structured layout
  • Good for dense content

Cons:

  • Complex syntax
  • Less commonly used

Template: assets/posters/baposter_conference.tex

Example Usage:

\documentclass[a0paper,portrait]{baposter}

Printing and File Preparation

File Format

For Printing:

  • PDF: Universal standard
  • High resolution: 300 dpi minimum, 600 dpi for photos
  • Color space: RGB for most printers (check with printer)
  • Embed fonts: Ensure all fonts embedded
  • Flatten: No transparency issues

Print Quality Checks

Before printing:

  1. Proofread: Check for typos, errors
  2. Colors: Check in print preview
  3. Resolution: Zoom to 100%, check figure quality
  4. Margins: Verify nothing cut off
  5. Test print: Print small version (A4) to check layout

Print Providers

Options:

  1. University print shop: Often cheapest, convenient
  2. FedEx Office: Widely available
  3. Online services:
    • Vistaprint
    • Printful
    • Academic Poster Printing (specialized)

Cost: Typically $50-150 for A0 glossy poster

Paper Types

Paper Type Description Best For
Matte Non-reflective finish Well-lit venues, minimal glare
Glossy Shiny, vibrant colors Photos, colorful figures
Satin/Semi-gloss Between matte and glossy Balanced option (recommended)
Fabric Wrinkle-resistant, rollable Travel, re-use

Recommendation: Satin or matte for most academic posters

QR Codes

What to Include

Generate QR codes linking to:

  • Paper PDF: Published or preprint
  • Supplementary materials: Data, code, videos
  • Personal website: Lab or researcher page
  • Video abstract: 1-2 minute video summary
  • Online version: Interactive poster

Placement

  • Common locations:
    • Bottom right corner
    • Next to references
    • Near contact information
  • Size: 3-4 inches (7-10 cm) square
  • Label: "Scan for paper" or "More info"

QR Code Generators

Design Best Practices

Do's

✓ Use large fonts (28pt+ for body text)
✓ Keep text minimal (30-40% of poster)
✓ Use visuals (60-70% figures, plots, images)
✓ Tell a story (clear narrative flow)
✓ Colorblind-safe colors
✓ Test readability (view from 6 feet away)
✓ Include contact info (email, QR code)
✓ Proofread (multiple times!)

Don'ts

✗ Don't use small fonts (<24pt body text)
✗ Don't overcrowd (leave white space)
✗ Don't use complex tables (simplify or visualize)
✗ Don't use full paragraphs (use bullets)
✗ Don't use many fonts (1-2 max)
✗ Don't use low-res images (<300 dpi)
✗ Don't use red-green contrasts (colorblind issue)
✗ Don't make it a paper (posters ≠ papers)

Poster Presentation Tips

During the Poster Session

  1. Stand by your poster: Be available, engaged
  2. Elevator pitch ready: 1-2 minute summary prepared
  3. Different depths: Short version (1 min), medium (3 min), deep dive (10 min)
  4. Engage visitors: Ask questions, invite discussion
  5. Business cards: Have them ready
  6. Notebook: Record feedback, questions
  7. Handouts: Optional 1-page summary (with QR code)

Talking Through Your Poster

30-second version:

  • What is the problem?
  • What did you do?
  • What did you find?

2-minute version:

  • Background + motivation
  • Methods (briefly)
  • Key result (show main figure)
  • Conclusion + implications

5+ minute version:

  • Full walkthrough
  • Address specific questions
  • Discuss limitations, future work

Accessibility Considerations

Visual Accessibility

  1. Color contrast: High contrast (4.5:1 minimum)
  2. Colorblind-safe: Use Okabe-Ito or similar palettes
  3. Font size: Large enough to read from distance
  4. Font choice: Clear, sans-serif fonts
  5. Alt text: Consider providing text description

Physical Accessibility

  1. Mounting height: Low enough for wheelchair users to read bottom
  2. QR codes: Provide alternative (short URL, handout)

Checklist Before Printing

  • Proofread all text (typos, grammar)
  • Check author names and affiliations
  • Verify all figures are high resolution (300+ dpi)
  • Ensure colorblind-safe color schemes
  • Test readability from 6 feet away (print small version)
  • Verify poster dimensions match conference requirements
  • Check that fonts are embedded in PDF
  • Include contact information (email, QR code)
  • Add institutional logo
  • Verify references are accurate
  • Ensure figures have clear labels and captions
  • Check that layout is not too dense (adequate white space)
  • Verify QR codes work (test scan)
  • Confirm file is high-resolution PDF
  • Get feedback from colleagues

Example Poster Layouts

Layout 1: Two-Column (Recommended for Most)

+----------------------------------------+
|              TITLE                     |
|      Authors & Affiliations            |
+----------------------------------------+
|  INTRO    |  RESULTS                   |
|           |                            |
|  METHODS  |  RESULTS (cont.)           |
|           |                            |
|           |  DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS    |
+----------------------------------------+
|        REFERENCES    |    QR CODE      |
+----------------------------------------+

Layout 2: Three-Column

+---------------------------------------+
|              TITLE                    |
|      Authors & Affiliations           |
+---------------------------------------+
| INTRO  | RESULTS | DISCUSSION         |
|        |         |                    |
| METHOD | RESULTS | CONCLUSIONS        |
|        |         |                    |
|        | RESULTS | FUTURE WORK        |
+---------------------------------------+
|    REFERENCES       |   QR CODE       |
+---------------------------------------+

Layout 3: Horizontal Flow

+----------------------------------------+
|              TITLE                     |
|      Authors & Affiliations            |
+----------------------------------------+
|  INTRODUCTION    |    METHODS          |
+----------------------------------------+
|           RESULTS                      |
|    (large figure spanning width)       |
+----------------------------------------+
|  DISCUSSION      |   CONCLUSIONS       |
+----------------------------------------+
|        REFERENCES    |    QR CODE      |
+----------------------------------------+

Resources

LaTeX Templates

  • assets/posters/beamerposter_academic.tex
  • assets/posters/tikzposter_research.tex
  • assets/posters/baposter_conference.tex

Online Resources

Tools

  • Inkscape: Free vector graphics editor
  • PowerPoint: Surprisingly popular for posters
  • Illustrator: Professional design tool
  • LaTeX: Best for reproducibility, version control

Summary

Key Takeaways:

  1. Size: Verify conference requirements (typically A0 or 36"×48")
  2. Fonts: Large (28pt+ body, 72pt+ title)
  3. Layout: 2-3 columns, generous white space
  4. Visuals: 60-70% visual content
  5. Colors: Colorblind-safe, high contrast
  6. Content: Tell a story, keep text minimal
  7. Quality: 300+ dpi, test print
  8. Accessibility: Readable from distance, clear hierarchy

Remember: A poster is not a paper - it's a visual summary designed to spark conversations!

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