Creating Posters
Creating your Poster
There are many applications that can be used to create posters. Based on common use and it's simplicity, we recommend Microsoft PowerPoint for those who are not as familiar with using Adobe products. Please note that Microsoft PowerPoint has a size limit of 56-inches however. If you’d like to make your poster larger, we’ve included instructions in Adobe Illustrator as well.
Below you will find blank templates for common sized posters, for both applications to make the starting process easier.
Templates
| Length | Width | Cost | .PPTX Templates | .Ai Templates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 18 | $4.32 | 24 x 18 Template | 24 x 18 Template |
| 28 | 22 | $6.16 | 28 x 22 Template | 28 x 22 Template |
| 36 | 24 | $8.64 | 36 x 24 Template | 36 x 24 Template |
| 30 | 42 | $12.60 | 30 x 42 Template | 30 x 42 Template |
| 36 | 42 | $15.12 | 36 x 42 Template | 36 x 42 Template |
| 42 | 42 | $17.64 | 42 x 42 Template | 42 x 42 Template |
| 56 | 42 | $23.52 | 56 x 42 Template | 56 x 42 Template |
| 60 | 42 | $25.50 | N/A | 60 x 42 Template |
| 72 | 42 | $30.24 | N/A | 72 x 42 Template |
Starting your poster in Microsoft PowerPoint
Open Microsoft PowerPoint to create a new file/blank presentation. Select the Design tab, click Slide Size, then select Custom Slide Size. Adjust the Width and Height to the desired dimensions. As a reminder, one dimension cannot exceed 42 inches and PowerPoint has a maximum slide size of 56 inches.
Starting your poster in Adobe Illustrator
Open Adobe Illustrator and select File > New Document. In the window that pops up change the Units to Inches. Set the Width and Height to the size that you’d like your poster to be. As a reminder, one dimension cannot exceed 42 inches.
Poster Content Tips
After you have set your poster's dimensions, as you begin developing your content, please note the following tips and considerations:
- Loyola Branding Resources are available. Visit the University Marketing and Communications (UMC) pages for University templates, colors, and logos. UMC also offers specialized expertize such as a Creative Request Form.
- Consider Using copyright and royalty-free media. Consider reviewing the Creative Commons or other websites, such as Unsplash, for royalty-free images and media for no charge. It is a best pratice however to always cite your media sources in presentations and materials.
- Beware of Copyright images. As a reminder, we are unable to knowingly complete duplication/printing requests where images may be copywritten. Please refer to the University copyright policies and guidelines and our Poster Printing Policies.
- Avoid image pixilation. Make sure photos and images that are inserted into the slide have a large size to begin with. Image files that are small will become more pixelated and blocky as they are scaled to larger dimensions and sizes.
Finishing Your Poster (Export to PDF)
We require poster files to be Adobe Acrobat PDF file types (extension .pdf). This format best ensures that any special or unique fonts used, will be optimized and maintained within the file. Sharing source files such as PowerPoints or Illustrator files will reference only the fonts available on the computer viewing them - if we don't have your font in such a scenario, the computer will default to a generic one which can impact typesetting, layout and overall design. Follow these instructions to export your file to PDF.
Using Microsoft PowerPoint: Click File then select Save as Adobe PDF.
Using Adobe Illustrator: Click File then select Save As.... From the list of available types, select Adobe PDF (*.PDF).
Verify your poster dimensions and image quality
After you've saved your poster to Adobe PDF, locate the file and open it in Adobe Acrobat. Click File > Propertiesthen review the Page Size to verify the dimensions match the size you intended.
While you are in Adobe Acrobat, click View > Zoom > Actual Size. If you inserted a photo or image file in your design, review at the actual size what the pixelation will look like, if any. If you feel the images are too blocky/pixelated, return to your original project file in PowerPoint or Adobe Illustrator and insert a larger version of the source image/photo.
Poster Submission Form
- Lake Shore & Water Tower campuses - submit via the Poster Submission Form.
- Health Science Campus - submit via the HSC Poster Submission Form.
| Please consider the environment before printing. To learn more about reducing our printing footprint, visit our Sustainability page. |
Creating your Poster
There are many applications that can be used to create posters. Based on common use and it's simplicity, we recommend Microsoft PowerPoint for those who are not as familiar with using Adobe products. Please note that Microsoft PowerPoint has a size limit of 56-inches however. If you’d like to make your poster larger, we’ve included instructions in Adobe Illustrator as well.
Below you will find blank templates for common sized posters, for both applications to make the starting process easier.
Templates
| Length | Width | Cost | .PPTX Templates | .Ai Templates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 18 | $4.32 | 24 x 18 Template | 24 x 18 Template |
| 28 | 22 | $6.16 | 28 x 22 Template | 28 x 22 Template |
| 36 | 24 | $8.64 | 36 x 24 Template | 36 x 24 Template |
| 30 | 42 | $12.60 | 30 x 42 Template | 30 x 42 Template |
| 36 | 42 | $15.12 | 36 x 42 Template | 36 x 42 Template |
| 42 | 42 | $17.64 | 42 x 42 Template | 42 x 42 Template |
| 56 | 42 | $23.52 | 56 x 42 Template | 56 x 42 Template |
| 60 | 42 | $25.50 | N/A | 60 x 42 Template |
| 72 | 42 | $30.24 | N/A | 72 x 42 Template |
Starting your poster in Microsoft PowerPoint
Open Microsoft PowerPoint to create a new file/blank presentation. Select the Design tab, click Slide Size, then select Custom Slide Size. Adjust the Width and Height to the desired dimensions. As a reminder, one dimension cannot exceed 42 inches and PowerPoint has a maximum slide size of 56 inches.
Starting your poster in Adobe Illustrator
Open Adobe Illustrator and select File > New Document. In the window that pops up change the Units to Inches. Set the Width and Height to the size that you’d like your poster to be. As a reminder, one dimension cannot exceed 42 inches.
Poster Content Tips
After you have set your poster's dimensions, as you begin developing your content, please note the following tips and considerations:
- Loyola Branding Resources are available. Visit the University Marketing and Communications (UMC) pages for University templates, colors, and logos. UMC also offers specialized expertize such as a Creative Request Form.
- Consider Using copyright and royalty-free media. Consider reviewing the Creative Commons or other websites, such as Unsplash, for royalty-free images and media for no charge. It is a best pratice however to always cite your media sources in presentations and materials.
- Beware of Copyright images. As a reminder, we are unable to knowingly complete duplication/printing requests where images may be copywritten. Please refer to the University copyright policies and guidelines and our Poster Printing Policies.
- Avoid image pixilation. Make sure photos and images that are inserted into the slide have a large size to begin with. Image files that are small will become more pixelated and blocky as they are scaled to larger dimensions and sizes.
Finishing Your Poster (Export to PDF)
We require poster files to be Adobe Acrobat PDF file types (extension .pdf). This format best ensures that any special or unique fonts used, will be optimized and maintained within the file. Sharing source files such as PowerPoints or Illustrator files will reference only the fonts available on the computer viewing them - if we don't have your font in such a scenario, the computer will default to a generic one which can impact typesetting, layout and overall design. Follow these instructions to export your file to PDF.
Using Microsoft PowerPoint: Click File then select Save as Adobe PDF.
Using Adobe Illustrator: Click File then select Save As.... From the list of available types, select Adobe PDF (*.PDF).
Verify your poster dimensions and image quality
After you've saved your poster to Adobe PDF, locate the file and open it in Adobe Acrobat. Click File > Propertiesthen review the Page Size to verify the dimensions match the size you intended.
While you are in Adobe Acrobat, click View > Zoom > Actual Size. If you inserted a photo or image file in your design, review at the actual size what the pixelation will look like, if any. If you feel the images are too blocky/pixelated, return to your original project file in PowerPoint or Adobe Illustrator and insert a larger version of the source image/photo.
Poster Submission Form
- Lake Shore & Water Tower campuses - submit via the Poster Submission Form.
- Health Science Campus - submit via the HSC Poster Submission Form.
| Please consider the environment before printing. To learn more about reducing our printing footprint, visit our Sustainability page. |