• Recommended poster format:
    • Create in PowerPoint or Google Slides
    • 48 inches wide x 36 inches high (Landscape orientation)
    • Heavyweight, coated paper
    • Save as PDF
  • You also have the option of presenting your poster digitally on a TV screen
  • Email completed poster PDFs to thinkingmatters@maine.edu by April 6, 2026 (by 8:00am) to provide time for printing
  • For posters submitted after April 6, 2026, you are responsible for printing associated expenses.
  • Posters will be available for pickup from April 13 – 16, 2026 on the USM campus at the ORIO office:
    • 126 Bedford Street, Portland, ME 04101
  • If posters are not picked up before the event, they will be at the Abromson Center on the morning of April 17, 2026
  • Poster display boards will be available
  • Poster display time slots are 90 minutes long
  • Morning and afternoon sessions are available
  • Prepare a short description of your work to answer attendee questions

Poster Design Manual (external pdf)

Poster Design Tips (external link)

PowerPoint Poster template (download ppt)

Poster guidelines (external link)

USM Library Resources and Presentation Tools & Techniques

Poster Creation and Design (YouTube)

Google Slides for Posters:

  • To set the size, under File>Page Setup, select Custom and enter 48” x 36” inches and Apply.
  • Rework any content that is necessary to fit and look correct.
  • When done, under File>Print settings and preview, check that the file looks correct.
  • If so, select Download as PDF and Save File. An alternative is to select File>Download>PDF document (.pdf) but there will not be the opportunity to preview before creating the file.
  • Open the saved file to double-check the conversion worked as expected and that the dimensions were retained. If so, view the contents at 100% to see if the quality of text, graphs, images is what you intend.