Willamette University

Willamette Integrated Technology Services

Graphic Design & Media Services

Poster Design with PowerPoint and Printing

PowerPoint is a good tool for designing your poster. WITS Graphic Design will print your poster in a timely fashion with
eco-friendly materials at a reduced cost. It usually takes a few hours to print your poster but it is best to start the printing process a few days before you need your poster.

A few tips about layout and the design of your poster:

  • Consider the reader of the poster
  • Dark backgrounds with black text are hard to read
  • Light backgrounds with light text are hard to read
  • Be consistent with your font styling
  • Complete the entire poster on a single platform. Switching from PC to Mac or Mac to PC invites disaster

Some useful web sites

Here are a few guidelines to insure that your poster can be printed in a timely basis:

  • Determine what size you want your poster to be. 36" x 48" is a standard size for an off Campus presentations 24" x 36" is a good size for a Class presentation.  Posters can be printed larger or smaller, but consult with your Advising Professor to determine the best size poster for your project. Here are links to a 36"x48" PowerPoint template and a 24"x36" PowerPoint template.
  • Be aware that the paper roll for the printer is 44". This will limit the smallest side to 44".
  • Below are a few steps that will help you make a PowerPoint file that prints error free:
    • Use standard fonts (Times New Roman, Ariel, Helvetica, and Times)
    • To achieve the best possible print quality for Excel Charts, ChemDraw graphics, JPEG's, and TIFFs; it is best to scale all graphics to print size before inserting them into a Power Point Poster.

To print your poster create a Service Request and upload a PDF.

Please include the following with your poster submission:

  • Desired poster size
  • Paper type (see table below)
  • Contact info (name, email, and phone number)
  • Date Desired

Ink & Paper Prices, and Payment terms:

Light Ink coverage (posters without background images)

Paper Type Price per Square Foot
Economy 28# Matte Paper $1.50
Double weight Matte Paper $2.00
Premium Semi Matte Photo Paper $2.75
Polypropylene Film (Water-resistant, matte finish) $2.00
Satin Cloth (Water-Resistant) $4.25
Tyvek, 3R DuPont™ Substrate (Water-resistant, matte finish) $3.00

Normal Ink coverage (posters with background images)

Paper Type Price per Square Foot
Economy 28# Matte Paper N/A
Double weight Matte Paper $3.00
Premium Semi Matte Photo Paper $3.75
Polypropylene Film (Water-resistant, matte finish) $3.00
Satin Cloth (Water-Resistant) $5.25
Tyvek, 3R DuPont™ Substrate (Water-resistant, matte finish) $4.00

Payment Terms

  • Department Account number
  • Personal Check made out to WITS
  • Cash given as exact change
Please note: Payment is due at time of pickup

If you have questions on layout or problems creating a PowerPoint or PDF file, please feel free to contact me.

Chris Gramlich

WITS Graphic Design & Media Services

Smullin 119a
900 State ST
Salem, OR 97301
503 370 6028