1. Study title written out in sentence case, which
means that only the first letter of the first word is capitalized. This make the title
more readable. (Never use all capitals.)
Author Names Author Names Author Names Author Names Author Names Author Names Author
Names Author Names
Table 1: Sample Table
Intervention Control P
Age (sd) 52 (6.8) 53 (7.0) 0.23
% Male 34 33 0.32
C 28 25 0.12
D 10 17 0.02
E 12 15 0.74
F 72 70 0.54
0
20
40
60
80
100
D
em
ocrats
R
epublicans
Liberals
C
onservatives
Satisfaction
Wealth
Mortality
 Avoid images from the web. They are low
resolution and become “pixilated” on
enlargement.
 Figures can be produced directly in PowerPoint
or imported from other programs, like Excel..
 Graphs produced in scientific graphic programs
should be saved in jpeg or tiff format before
inserting.
Additional logo
here, if desired
 When writing for a poster, simplify everything
and avoid over-writing.
 The best posters are designed with empathy:
Put yourself in the position of the audience and
think about what they will want to know.
 Do not start from the perspective of what you
want to tell people. That perspective leads
people to make posters that are too busy and
have too much information.
Methods
 Emphasize points with italics or in boldface.
 Underlining is less attractive and can be
distracting.
 Less is often more. Make effective use of negative
space.
 When writing for a poster, simplify everything and
avoid over-writing.
 The best posters are designed with empathy: Put
yourself in the position of the audience and think
about what they will want to know.
 Do not start from the perspective of what you
want to tell people. That perspective leads people
to make posters that are too busy and have too
much information.
Results
 Note that we suggest that the Abstract,
Methods, Results, and Conclusion sections line
up at the heads of the four columns.
 Although potentially constraining, this design
introduces some organizational discipline that
may be useful to viewers.
 More research is warranted
Conclusions
 A few take-aways or next steps can help
position your presentation or make
your points more enduring.
 Depending upon your goals, you might
come with a stack of business cards,
copies of your abstract, or even copies
of a completed manuscript to give away
to interested parties. Attach them to
your poster in the bottom right or make
them available in other ways.
 If you have suggestions for improving
this template or this process, please let
us know.
Policy Implications
 Imported figures and photographs often work well
if saved in jpeg format. A grey border can soften a
photograph’s visual impression in the poster.
 Follow principles of Edward Tufte and avoid “chart
junk” and unnecessary ink in creating charts.
 For example, avoid three dimensional bar graphs
or pie charts when presenting two dimensional
data.
 Avoid harsh contrasting colors that create visual
vibration.
 Background. This poster template will scale up
to 42 inches by 66 inches. 42 inches is the
widest we can print. (Longer formats are
possible, but the template needs adjustment.)
 Objectives. To use this template, simply
replace the text in these sections.
 Methods. Download template and insert your
content.
 Results. Send to Lissy Madden
(maddene@wharton.upenn.edu), who will
work with you to print the poster. This often
takes some back and forth discussion.
 Conclusions. Contact us a few weeks in
advance or we may not be able to help you.
Don’t assume we can meet a deadline unless
you have communicated with us about it first.
Abstract
 This template contains some style and format
suggestions. LDI can work with you to help
you achieve your goals.
 We recommend the white background for
clarity and simplicity, but a blue background is
also available.
Background
1. Note that for small text, a serifed font is
easier to read.
Objectives