Most people find it easiest to create a poster in PowerPoint. We have several templates available for download that make it easy to create a poster. For tips on creating an effective, attractive and readable poster, check out this downloadable PDF.

Still need a little more help putting your poster together? Our design service can provide personal advice on layout, colors, logos and images. Contact one of our graphic designers, Ann Armstrong or Teresa Ruggle, for assistance.

We also offer poster editing. Our staff editor will comprehensively review your poster text for content, grammar, spelling and overall readability. Please contact our editor, Kris Greiner, for details

We ask for a minimum of 2-3 business days to review and print your poster. Before printing, we will check for images that will not print clearly, proper logos and sizing. Remember: the more time you allow us to review and print your poster, the better the final result!

In addition to design or editing assistance, the cost of your poster depends on the size and material:

Foldable fabric is recommended if you plan to travel with your poster, especially by air. The fabric can be gently folded and placed in carry-on or checked bags, saving the cost and trouble of traveling with a large poster tube on an airplane. The fabric material can also be ironed before being displayed; instructions are included with every poster. We place fabric posters in a protective, water-resistant envelope.

Semi-gloss paper works best for local or in-house presentations. We provide semi-gloss posters rolled up and placed in protective clear plastic wrap. If you plan to travel with your poster by car or air, we recommend using a hard plastic poster tube for added protection.

Matte paper is recommended for drafts or short-term use. It has a flat finish and is less durable than semi-gloss paper. Posters printed on matte paper are rolled up and placed in protective clear plastic wrap.

Most posters are set up in PowerPoint, which prints well. We can also work with high-resolution* PDFs or posters created with Illustrator or Photoshop.

*A note about resolution: the best way to tell if your poster will print clearly is to zoom in to 150-200% view on your computer screen. If any images, text, or logos appear to be fuzzy or pixelated, they will print that way. Contact us with any questions about files or images.

It’s best to set up your poster at 50% or 100% of the final printed size needed. For example, if your poster should be printed at 42x48, set up your file at either 21x24 or 42x48. (Note: PowerPoint has a limit of 56" in width, so for posters wider than 56", set up your layout at 50% of the desired size).

We have all official logos used throughout the University of Iowa, including University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Carver College of Medicine, Stead Family Children’s Hospital of Iowa, and all UI Health Care colleges, departments, divisions and programs.

Please note: Tigerhawk, Herky and several other logos may not be used without approval by the University of Iowa Trademark Licensing Office.
We’re happy to help if you have questions about logos.