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UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Makerspace

Submitting an Academic Poster

Fill out the form below to submit a printing request:

Submit a Print Job

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

I've never designed an academic poster before. Where do I start?

There are many different software you can use to design a poster. The most popular option is Microsoft Powerpoint. However, if you are more familiar with another program you may consider using it (Canva, Adobe InDesign, Apple Keynote).

It's important when you begin your design to ensure that your canvas/slide is set to the proper size (36"x48"). In Powerpoint this can be done by navigating to Design > Slide Size > Custom Slide Size....

Now start filling out the poster with info and pictures about your work. You can find great examples and tips for creating academic posters here.

How do I save my poster? Why does it look blurry? Every design software is different. Check to make sure you are exporting in the highest resolution possible. Below are steps to save your poster in high resolution using Microsoft Powerpoint.
  1. Ensure your slide is the correct size. Design > Slide Size 
  2. Zoom as close into your design as possible. If you notice an image looks blurry while zoomed in, this means the image doesn’t have a high enough resolution. Try replacing the image. If you got that image from a screenshot, you can save a higher resolution version by zooming into the subject before taking the screenshot.
  3. Save as a JPG/PNG file. Navigate to File > Export > Change File Type > PNG
What font should I use? For legibility, we recommend using a Sans Serif font (such as Arial). In terms of font size, this will depend on your poster design and how much text you include on the poster. Brevity is an important factor for a good academic poster. Less words allow for a bigger font, and using a bigger font means your poster can be more easily read from a distance. Make your fonts as large as the design allows. We recommend you aim for at least 48 pt font (this makes your font roughly 1/2" tall).
How much does it cost? Typical 36"x48" posters cost $25. For other sizes refer to our pricing policy.
What is a Department Transfer? How does it work?

A department transfer form allows for an organization on campus to complete a purchase from the makerspace on a student or faculty's behalf.

Some departments cover the cost of their student and faculty's academic posters. If you are interested, contact your department chair or department finance officer to see if your department is willing to complete the form and cover the cost of your poster.

You can complete the department transfer form here.
What is turnaround time like?

Individual prints require 1-2 full weekdays of lead time. Weekends and holidays are not counted towards the turnaround time.  

Special deadlines apply when large groups of posters are submitted (such as research showcases on campus). Please contact us (makerspace@coastal.edu) if you have a large group planning to submit posters around the same time.