Poster Guidelines

General Information

Submitted papers that are not accepted will automatically be considered as a poster. There will be space to display approximately 20 posters during the conference reception. The poster session will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Saturday, November 1st.

Size should not exceed 4 feet by 6 feet. Poster material should not be more that 1/4 inch in thickness. Foam core and poster paper are both acceptable.

These are the only requirements, but below are suggestions on how to have a successful poster session.

Content

  • Include title, authors, author affiliations, email or other address, a description of the methods used, and conclusions. References and acknowledgements may also be included.
  • Select only the most pertinent data to report on the poster.
  • Bring handouts that include the abstract and any supplementary information.

Text

  • All text should be legible at a distance of 3 to 4 feet. Use at least a 24-point type size for the main text. The title type should be at least 1.5 inches high.
  • The title should be kept as short as possible so that it can be read quickly.
  • Use upper and lower case type throughout the poster. ALL UPPER CASE TYPE IS MORE DIFFICULT TO READ.
  • Serif fonts (such as Times) are generally easier to read in the body of the text. Sans serif fonts (such as Arial or Tahoma) are best used in titles, headings, and captions for emphasis.
  • Print all text using a laser printer.
  • Use bold and/or italics for emphasis.
  • Graphics and Illustrations
  • The poster is a visual format. Use plenty of graphical elements.
  • Keep graphics as simple as possible. More complex data can be presented in a handout.
  • Photographs should be enlarged to be discernible at a distance of 3 feet and printed with a matte finish (to reduce glare). They are more effective when used sparingly.
  • Do not use hand drawings.

Layout

  • Keep at least a 1-inch margin on all sides.
  • The main body of the poster should be between waist and shoulder height. The title, authors and author affiliations should be higher.
  • Paragraphs should be no longer than 10-20 lines long. Break up longer sections of text with graphics or bulleted lists.
  • Arrows can be used to guide the reader’s eye from one section to another.
  • Use blank space to avoid a cluttered look, and to separate the elements of your poster.

Color

  • Use color to emphasize elements and draw attention to your poster, but don’t use too many different colors. Using colored borders can increase the poster’s visual appeal.
  • Text should be printed on a contrasting background (dark text on a light background, or light text on a dark background).
  • Avoid harsh colors, such as neons.

Presentation

  • Arrive 15-20 minutes before the session is scheduled to begin to give yourself enough time to set up the poster.
  • Stay at your poster board for the entire session so attendees have a chance to talk with you about your work.

Local Printing/Travel Considerations

Because of the large size of most posters, individuals who are traveling to present a poster may wish to have their posters printed locally.  Please contact us at neudc14@bu.edu and we can advise you on nearby options for poster printing.