Creating a high-quality custom poster for academic, research, or promotional purposes can often be costly, especially when relying on professional design software or outsourcing to a designer. Fortunately, PowerPoint offers a practical and budget-friendly solution for crafting a professional-looking poster without the hefty price tag.
With its easy-to-use features, including customizable slide sizes, high-resolution image support, and tools for aligning text and graphics, PowerPoint allows you to create a polished poster that suits your needs. In this guide, you will get to know how to create a poster in PowerPoint.
PowerPoint provides an accessible, budget-friendly way to create professional posters, offering tools for custom slide sizes, high-resolution images, and design features. Free poster templates are available from sources like Microsoft 365 and Poster Presentations.
The process involves setting a custom slide size, adding text and images, choosing a background, and organizing content for clarity. Standard poster sizes include 24×36 inches and A0, A1, A2, A3, and A4 dimensions.
After designing, review and adjust the poster before printing. Use images with at least 150 dpi (300 dpi for print), choose complementary colors for readability, and stick to legible fonts like Arial. Check colors in CMYK mode before printing and ensure the printer settings are correct.
How to create a new poster in PowerPoint?
To create a poster in PowerPoint, begin by opening a new blank slide. Next, set the slide size to your preferred dimensions, adjusting the width and height accordingly. Choose the orientation that best suits your design, whether it’s portrait or landscape. Once your layout is ready, add text, images, and design elements to enhance the poster. Finally, review, save, and print your completed poster.
- Open PowerPoint and start a new presentation.
- Go to the “Design” tab and select “Slide Size.”
- Choose “Custom Slide Size” and set the poster dimensions.
- Adjust the width and height of the slide.
- Select the orientation (portrait or landscape).
- Add text boxes, images, and design elements.
- Review and finalize your poster.
- Save your poster as a PDF or desired file format.
- Print your poster.
Step 1: Start with a Blank Presentation
When you open PowerPoint, skip the ready-made themes and click on Blank Presentation. This gives you a fresh slide without any formatting, perfect for building your poster from scratch.
Step 2: Pick a Template or Start Custom
If you want help with layout, PowerPoint has built-in templates. Click the Design tab and choose from the themes shown. For more designs, go to Designer on the top right. If you prefer full control, continue with your blank slide.
Step 3: Set Slide Size and Orientation
To make your poster the right size, click on the Design tab, then select Slide Size, and choose Custom Slide Size.
For a standard poster size, you can use:
- Width: 59.4 cm
- Height: 84.1 cm
Next, choose whether you want your poster in portrait or landscape orientation. Click OK to apply changes.
Read more: How to Create a Poster in Microsoft Word?
Step 4: Choose a background
Pick a background that keeps your poster clean and readable. Avoid loud patterns or bright colors that could distract from your message.
Right-click on the slide and choose Format Background. You can use solid colors, gradient fills, patterns, or even pictures. Just make sure the text will stand out clearly against it.
Step 5: Add your content
Now it is time to add text and images to your poster.
- Use Insert > Text Box to place headings and details where you want them.
- Choose large, readable fonts for the title and smaller sizes for supporting text.
- Keep your message short and to the point.
- Use Insert > Pictures to upload photos or search for stock images online.
- Add icons or shapes to help guide the viewer’s attention.
Make sure everything is aligned neatly. Use PowerPoint’s guides and gridlines to help with spacing.
Step 6: Organize the layout
Think about how your content flows. The most important information should be the first thing people see. Use sections and white space to avoid crowding. Add SmartArt for charts or diagrams if needed. Shapes like rectangles or arrows can help organize different parts of your poster.
Step 7: Review and print
Once you are done designing, check your poster for spelling mistakes or design issues. Make sure images are clear and the text is easy to read. Ask someone else to look it over if possible.
To print:
- Click File > Print
- Choose the right paper size and orientation
- Use Scale to Fit if needed
Preview your poster, then click Print
Where to find free PowerPoint poster templates
- Microsoft 365 poster templates
- Free research poster templates by Poster Presentations
Essential tips for creating standout posters
- Poster Size Selection: Choose the right poster size for your design. Common sizes include 24×36 inches or smaller formats like 11×17 inches. In PowerPoint, go to the ‘Design’ tab and select ‘Custom Slide Size’ to set your preferred dimensions.
- Standard Poster Dimensions: Use these common sizes when converting from paper formats:
A0 (33.1 x 46.8 in)
A1 (23.4 x 33.1 in)
A2 (16.5 x 23.4 in)
A3 (11.7 x 16.5 in)
A4 (8.3 x 11.7 in)
- Image Quality: For printing, use images with at least 150 dpi, but 300 dpi is ideal. For digital posters, 72 dpi works fine for online viewing.
- Color and Backgrounds: Stick to 2-3 complementary colors for a clean look. Ensure good contrast between text and background for readability. Lighter backgrounds usually work best, but a minimal design can also be effective.
- Fonts and Text: Use legible fonts and separate text into boxes for clarity. Choose simple fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, and adjust sizes based on your poster’s viewing distance. Stick to two font types for consistency.
- Final Touches: Before printing, ensure colors will appear correctly on paper. Use the CMYK color mode for print, and double-check printer requirements.
