Learn more about how the Cal Poly Humboldt Library can help
support your research and learning needs.

Stay updated at Campus Ready.

Skip to Main Content

Creating a Research Poster

This is a guide based on one from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University Library

How to print your poster

In order for your poster to print properly, we have a few suggestions:

  1. Make sure that if you created your own template, you resized your slide BEFORE you added any text or images. This will prevent pixelation when the poster is printed.
  2.  Print your slide on an 8 1/2 " X 11" sheet of paper to make sure that everything is proportional.
  3. Have someone read your poster to double-check all spelling and grammar. Once your poster is printed in large size, mistakes will be very noticeable.
  4. Leave time to have your poster printed with time to spare (at least a couple of days). If you catch a mistake, you want time to be able to print it again. This may cost you more money, but it could be worth it if you are presenting at a professional conference.
  5. Save your file as a PDF before sending it to be printed.
    1. To save your file as a PDF in PowerPoint, go to "File" then "Save As". In this menu you can select from the "File Format" drop down menu the "PDF" option and then select "Save".
    2. To save your file from Google Slides as a PDF, go to "File" then "Download" and select "PDF Document".

Alternative printing option

You can also print your poster in pieces on a regular printer, and piece them together yourself. Here are the instructions:

You will print out your PPT as tiles and piece them together on a piece of poster board. You can do this in black and white or in color. The University Library has a color printer on the 1st floor of the Main Library (color printing is 25 cents per page, Black and white pages are 4 cents per page).

  1. Export your single PPT slide as a graphic. To do this, Save As >> Name your file >> Choose Windows Metafile or Enhanced Windows metafile format from the drop down menu >> Save to your preferred location.
  2. Open Excel.
  3. Use the Insert tab >> Picture. This will bring the image into Excel.
  4. Double check the size of your poster. Right-click and choose "Size and Properties" to set the size you want the picture to be. The most common poster size is 30" H by 40" W.
  5. Print.
  6. Excel will "tile" your printout across however many sheets it takes to accommodate your chosen picture size.
  7. The tiles will print from top to bottom and across. Piece together the pieces.

From PPT Tools.

Printing for IdeaFest

ideaFest covers the cost for printing during ideaFest. For more information, visit the ideaFest site.  Once you submit your poster in the ideaFest form by the submission deadline, it will be printed for you and available on the day of ideaFest.