Author: Weaver, Carol M

Guidelines for Printing Posters in ABE

Carol M. Weaver, Communications Specialist

Objective:
We are happy to print posters for events when your major professor sends you to meetings, seminars, etc. There are a few guidelines in this template; feel free to delete everything except the header and footer when you are ready to begin—and AFTER you have read them! There is also a PowerPoint version where you downloaded this document; feel free to use the one that is most comfortable for you. When your poster is ready to print, “save as” a pdf, and choose the print option (not the small file size). You are not required to submit your project through me if you do not want it printed in the department. Projects may be submitted via email (cmweaver@purdue.edu) or jump drive. When you give me 24 hours’ notice, should something go awry with the printer, I will locate another similar printer on campus to have your poster printed. Extra lead time is always welcome, particularly in April (Capstone) and July (ASABE Annual Meeting). Check with your professor for other instructions.
Carol Weaver LILY 3-107, 494-1174

Helpful hints on graphics: any item that is “borrowed” off the Internet is going to be at a low (72 dpi) resolution. Increasing the size does not increase the resolution – it just makes the pixels appear bigger. Check your graphics at 100% on-screen to make sure they are clear. When possible, save in the .jpg format. Some of the poster files are enormous due to a large number of .tif or .bmp pictures – this can present problems when it is time to print

You will need several of these text boxes on your poster. Notice each of these has a different weight of outline—use the weight you want. Chances are, the agency that is hosting your poster session will tell you the maximum size allowable. Regardless, one dimension of your poster MUST be <42 inches—that is the paper size and the length of the printer. There is absolutely nothing I can do if you want a 48” x 80” poster, even if they will allow it.

Pay special attention to Organization & Style. The poster should “flow.” Have the correct balance of graphic and text material (the whole picture is worth a thousand words thing). Make your document look sharp!

Design and printing instructions:
This document is set to 42” x 56” The page size is set as the paper size. The printer will not print to the edges, so please leave at least a ½” margin. There is no such thing as a “standard” size of poster. Check with your advisor or the call for posters.
Text on the template can be highlighted and replaced – avoid the use of too many different fonts. The printer does not support all fonts (i.e., fonts that are named “Technical”). It is best to use a 40-point font or larger (this text box is in 40-point font).
The text boxes on the template are suggested placements only – they can be moved and changed (color, line thickness, etc) as necessary.
Background color must be white. AutoCAD drawings need to have the black background changed prior to inserting (Under “Tools,” “Options,” “Display” click on the background and select a different color – preferably white or something else VERY light).
The 24-hour deadline for submitting your project is a firm deadline. Our printer is very efficient; things still go wrong. If I receive the poster with less than a 24-hour turnaround, I will not be responsible for failure to print.
Reprints will not be available except for catastrophic disaster. Reprints for any reason other than hardware or software failure will cost $50 (prepaid). Please print a scaled-down version of your project to one of the color printers prior to submitting it to me for printing (to check for spacing, perspective, etc.). You can choose “Scale to fit paper” in the print dialogue box. Ask me if you have any questions.
Do not try to print your own job on the department poster printer. The risk is very high that your job will be deleted from the queue.
I know all of this sounds pretty harsh; I really am here to help you. Please remember that there are a lot of you and only one me (and only one printer). I will do everything I can to help you—just ask!

Sponsor:
This is a good place to list your sponsor(s)

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