I Have the Abstract: How Do I

Make It into a Poster?

Michelle E. StofaResearch Communications Manager

Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

Wilmington, Delaware

Overview

General guidelines

Parts of poster IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion)

Text (font, sizes, and spacing)

Tables and figures

Placement of materials on poster

Color

Photos

Transport and travel

Electronic posters

Examples of ‘error-enhanced’ and corrected posters

General Guidelines

Meeting requirements (“need to know before you go”) Poster number

Contact information

Layout and size

Supplies

Placement of logos Permission to use

Resolution

Sources

Location on poster Top left is prime spot

General Guidelines (continued)

Sizes Standard size 48” x 96” (can’t exceed space)

PowerPoint limitations (36” x 56”)

Orientation

Landscape vs. portrait (overseas: portrait)

Other sizes (meeting-specific)

Printing Paper types (plain, matte, gloss)

Cloth

Printing services and costs (timing, format)

Most frequently asked question: how many

slides make a poster?

Parts of a Poster: Title Bar

Title Brief

Avoid “Discussion of…,” “Results of…”

Make interesting

Authors: include credentials

Institutions: include city and state (and if

overseas, include USA)

Size: don’t be stingy 72 pt title, 60-50 pt for authors, institutions

Parts of a Poster: Abstract

Placed top left (first to be read)

Should match submission

Error corrections allowed

Structured or unstructured (omit

headings unless required)

Abstract should be able to stand alone

Spell out abbreviations at first use

Can be smaller font

Parts of a Poster (IMRAD):

Introduction and Methods

Introduction: what is known on subject,

leads into what is missing (how your

project fills this gap)

Abbreviations: spell out first use again

Consider audience

Methods (what you did or what you plan

to do)

IRB Statement should be first sentence (if

required)

Parts of a Poster: Results and

Discussion

Results (most important part)

Findings

Figures and tables (more information to

follow)

Reporting of data

Don’t repeat information in figures and in

text

Discussion/Conclusion Why your study or project is important

Other Sections

Parts of a Poster: References

References

Simple formatting

Less cluttered is best

Example: Smith A. Study of adolescent

scoliosis. J Pediatr 2002;30:110-115.

Consider clarity when citing in text

Smaller font

If listing references, cite all in text

Complete document

Consider audience

Text

Seen from at least 6 feet away 30 pt Helvetica/Arial (sans serif font) for text (24-26

pt minimum)

Avoid Times Roman (or any serif font)

Limit justification

Limit indentations

Bullets better than paragraphs (consistent style)

Title spacing and font size of headings

Overall best layout: equal parts text

and figures

‘Open space is our friend…’

*More space

above

headings than

below, title

headings a few

points larger

than main text

Figures and Tables

How many?

Avoid smaller than 5x7 when printed

Cite all in text

Color Consistent: 2-4 colors, same color family

Can use colors found in logo, photos

Keep it simple

Format (with PowerPoint defaults) Boxes: best to omit unless needed for groups Consistent sizing of charts, etc. (check

percentage when sizing and pasting)

Figure and Tables (continued)

Legends and titles (and numbers) All figures have legends (usually at bottom)

All tables have titles (usually on top)

Limit table rules (especially vertical)

Table colors (always use color, even if just a

colored box around table)

Figures and tables: the meaning should be

clear without main text

Inserting into poster Copy figure first without text elements, add titles last to make

all consistent

Copy, ‘Paste Special’ – will be snapshot, so no changes

Centering always works…

Photos

HIPAA and permissions

Permission statement for patient photos

Masking

Photos (and figures) from the Internet

Stock photos from professional sources

Sizing for poster

Consider figures/photos will be enlarged

Suggested: 300 dpi

If no figures…add one, or some

Transport, Other Details

Mailing tubes

FedEx/mailing

Sending ahead to hotel: arrival date and

confirmation are important

Security when traveling

Return after meeting (can mail back)

Handouts

Can print on regular printer, use ‘scale to fit’

Electronic Posters

More meetings are requesting e-posters

Same tips/suggestions apply

Usually dark background/white text

No longer size requirement: ratio

requirement

HD television screens – 16:9

Uploaded ahead of meeting (as early as

one month before printed poster)

Original 1

Corrected 1

Original 2

Corrected 2

Summary

Layout, text, figures: keep it simple

Use color, plenty of open space

50% text, 50% figures: white space

Easy-to-read, attractive presentation

Contact Information:

Michelle E. Stofa

Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

ph: 302-651-6806, fax: 302-651-6888

Michelle.stofa@nemours.org