How to Make a Research Poster

How to Make a Research Poster

Dr. Edan Zitelny and Dr. Nadim Mahmud

Foundational Research Curriculum

Introduction

Presenting a poster at a medical conference is an opportunity to share your research, network with peers, and discuss your work with experts in the field. An effective poster should communicate your work clearly, visually, and concisely. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you design a high-quality, professional research poster.

Step 1: Requirements

Before starting, review the specific conference guidelines, which typically include:

  • Poster dimensions (e.g., 36” x 48” or A0 size)
  • Orientation (portrait vs. landscape)
  • File format for digital upload (if applicable)
  • Time and place for presentation
  • Any branding or institutional logo requirements

It would be a shame to make one that doesn’t fit on the poster board, so do not discount how crucial this step really is!

Looking for a head start? Download our poster templates from the Resources page.

Step 2: The Right Content

A strong poster tells a story. Include only what is essential, as you will be the guide to walk folks through the poster and share with them the journey you went on.

  • Title: Clear and concise, with the goal of engaging but scientific. Lean on AI/machine learning platforms if you get stuck here!
  • Authors and Affiliations: Include degrees and institutional names.
  • Introduction / Background: 2-3 brief sentences/bullet points outlining the problem and rationale behind the project.
  • Objectives / Hypothesis: Clearly state your research question.
  • Methods: Describe the study design, population, interventions, and analysis.
  • Results: Use visuals (graphs, tables, images) to highlight key findings. The less words, the better!
  • Discussion / Conclusion: Interpret results, discuss relevance, and note limitations.
  • References: Include only the most critical (<3 ideally).
  • Acknowledgments and Funding Sources: If applicable.
  • Contact Information: Include your email or a QR code to a digital copy of the poster or manuscript.

Step 3: Layout Design

Your poster should present your work in a logical, visually appealing way. The most common layout is three-column format as it is widely used and easy to follow. Start with Introduction on the top-left, ending with Conclusions bottom-right.

Tips:

  • Use headings and subheadings for easy navigation.
  • Leave white space between sections for visual clarity.
  • Consider color-coded sections to guide the reader’s eye.

Step 4: Create Effective Visuals

  • In order of priorities: Graphs > Tables > Text. Replace long descriptions with charts and visuals.
  • Use simple, clean fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri).
  • Font size recommendations:
    • Title: 85–100 pt
    • Section headers: 40–60 pt
    • Body text: 24–32 pt
  • Avoid blurry images and overly bright or clashing colors.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do

  • Use large, readable fonts
  • Keep your sections aligned and spaced
  • Use bullet points and concise language
  • Incorporate charts or diagrams over paragraphs

Don’t

  • Overload your poster with text
  • Use hard-to-read fonts or tiny sizes
  • Include blurry or low-resolution images
  • Forget to credit co-authors and funders

Step 5: Use Software Wisely

Choose a platform that you’re comfortable with. PowerPoint is widely used and flexible, but other options include:

  • Canva or Adobe Illustrator: Great for design-heavy posters.
  • LaTeX (Overleaf): Ideal for academic posters with complex equations or typesetting.
  • BioRender: Useful for scientific illustrations.

Make sure the final file format (PDF or PNG) matches the submission guidelines.

Step 6: Proofread and Review

  • Check spelling, grammar, and scientific accuracy.
  • Ask mentors or colleagues for feedback. All authors should review it prior to submission.
  • Ensure figures are labeled and legends are clear.

Step 7: Print or Upload Your Poster

  • If physical: Print on matte paper to reduce glare. Confirm print timelines well in advance, the last minute stress is avoidable!
  • If digital: Optimize file size without compromising quality; double-check compatibility with virtual platforms.

Conclusion

Creating a compelling poster involves more than copying your abstract into a template. With careful planning, attention to design, and a clear message, you can create a poster that stands out and effectively communicates your work to the audience!

Good vs. Bad Poster Examples

Seeing examples is one of the best ways to understand what works. Compare the two posters below:

Poor Poster Example

Bad Poster Example

Overcrowded text, small font, no clear flow.

Good Poster Example

Good Poster Example

Clean layout, visual emphasis, readable text.