General Guidelines

• Poster dimensions should be no larger than 36″ tall x 48″ wide;
• Posters should be no thicker than a standard poster weight (no foam core backing);
• Hanging materials (T-pins, clips, etc.) will be provided;
• Posters must be readable from three feet away; and,
• We encourage you to set up your poster early on day one of the conference and leave it up over the duration of the conference for others to view, but presenters must be available to discuss their poster during the specific time frame dedicated to the poster session.

General Recommendations When Preparing for a Poster Presentation

1. Start with a Purpose: Clearly identify the topic you wish to present on.
2. Consider the Type of Presentation: Many conferences will have poster presentation options for “research” and “conceptual” posters. There may be distinct differences and expectations between the two. Do not assume all posters are the same.
3. Font Size and Placing: Remember, many conference attendees will be viewing your poster from a distance (anywhere from 3 to 6 feet away, or more). Use clear fonts and distinct colors so the words do not blend in with the background. We recommend you also consider the size of the font – make sure it is large enough to be seen from a distance. Remember, space is limited, and you will not be able to get everything you want onto your poster. Pick those items or topics that are most meaningful. You can backfill the story with your own knowledge as you engage with attendees.
4. Know the Formatting Expectations: At times, conferences will expect certain dimensions and topic domains (e.g., sections specific to the purpose, literature review, method, population, etc.) for poster presentations. This helps bring uniformity. Be sure to check with the conference organizers to see if a certain design is expected.
5. Print your Poster Early: Sometimes printing the poster can take time. Do not wait until the last minute to print your poster. If you can, have it printed one week ahead of time. This will give you wiggle room in case a mistake is made in printing, or your poster is somehow damaged.

Resources & Templates

Many of your universities have pre-formatted poster templates you can download and use. This will help with university branding and allow you to really shine a spotlight on your program as well.

• Rocky Mountain University of Health Profession Templates (RMU students only)
  
• University of Utah, Poster Templates
• Utah State University, Poster Templates
• Utah Valley University
• Westminster University (scroll to the bottom)

Schools often have helpful tips and tricks for poster presentations. Some helpful links include:

• Rocky Mountain University, Office of Research
• Utah State University, Office of Research – Poster Guidelines
• Utah Valley University, College of Science Poster Guidelines
• Westminster University, Drinko Center for Undergraduate Research