How to Prepare a Scientific Poster

A good scientific poster tells one clear story quickly, with minimal text and strong visuals. Start from the conference's size and format rules, plan the message, build a layout and test it on someone unfamiliar with the work.

Steps

1. Check requirements: size, orientation, file format, printing and mounting.
2. Define the message: a one-sentence take-home.
3. Choose sections: title and authors, background, objective, methods, results, conclusions, references and acknowledgements.
4. Write short text: use bullets and short sentences; aim for about 300 to 800 words in total, depending on poster size and field norms.
5. Prepare figures: one or two clear figures or tables for the main result, with large labels.
6. Lay it out in columns or a clear flow, with enough white space.
7. Check numbers against the abstract and data.
8. Print a draft at reduced size and review.
9. Prepare a two-minute talk and answers to likely questions.

MRN offers a free poster template as a PowerPoint file.

Text and visual rules of thumb

• Title readable from several metres away.
• Body text large enough to read from about a metre or more.
• High contrast, limited colours and consistent fonts.
• Results first in prominence; methods concise.

Illustrative example

Invented for teaching. A first draft has 1,500 words and four tables. After feedback, the student keeps one table and one figure, reduces text to 450 words and puts the main result in a large box with a one-sentence conclusion. Visitors can understand it in 30 seconds.

Common pitfalls

• Too much text.
• Tiny fonts and cluttered charts.
• Printing at the wrong size.

Key takeaways

• One message, short text, strong visual, correct size.
• Rehearse your two-minute summary.

This page is general educational information about research methods. It is not medical, legal or regulatory advice; follow your institution's ethics board and your target journal's instructions.