Preparing a large-format poster

A poster is not prepared like a flyer. What matters is not fine detail but legibility at a distance — and that changes the rules.

Resolution: less than you think

Everyone repeats that you need 300 dpi. True for something held in the hand. A poster is looked at from one or two metres: 150 dpi is enough for A1, and 100 dpi is fine for a banner seen from further away.

That is good news: a photo too small for a flyer may work perfectly for a poster.

The viewing-distance rule

A simple guide: the height of your title letters should be about 2.5 cm per metre of viewing distance. To be read from 4 metres, a title needs to be around ten centimetres tall.

The direct consequence: a poster holds far less text than people assume. A title, three lines, a contact. Nobody will read the rest.

Contrast before colour

At a distance colour fades before contrast does. Yellow text on white disappears at three metres even if it looks readable on your screen. Test it: step two metres back from your monitor and see what survives.

Common sizes

• A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) — shop window, indoor notice board
• A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) — the most versatile indoor size
• A1 (59.4 × 84.1 cm) — large window, hall, event
• A0 (84.1 × 118.9 cm) — outdoor display, trade show

Outdoors: think about the material

Paper does not survive outside. Outdoors you need a PVC banner or lamination. Plan for eyelets too if the poster has to be stretched.

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