Altering a design from your computer screen to a physical piece of paper can pose challenges for even the most experienced designers. Printed colours tend to look different than on a display, and those differences are magnified when the finished product is a larger-than-life poster.
Here are some of the most important things to keep in mind when printing a poster.
Font Size and Style
Posters are meant to be read from a distance, so make sure you choose fonts that are easily seen from far away. Fonts with clean lines and a bold stroke work best. Keep a close watch on the size too. A general rule is that each letter on your printed sign must be at least one inch tall for every 10 feet of distance between the poster and the reader.
Attention Grabbing Colour Palette
Some colours are more powerful for posters than others. Pick a colour palette that conveys the emotion and message you want viewers to feel. Think about how your chosen colours will have an impact even when viewed from a distance or in a faint light. Contrast can be a useful tool to amp up the impact of your chosen palette, especially when you want to use softer colours.
File Specs
It is possible that your original file will be only a part of the size of your final piece. The key to making sure that a printed poster is as clean and sharp as it is on your screen is to sort out the technical specs of your file before you start.
Pick a large format printer you can count on, then follow the guidelines to make sure your original file is the right shape, size, dimensions and resolution to produce optimal results. If you start out with a well-planned file, you will run into fewer production problems along the way.
Use Space Strategically
White space, which is the negative space between design elements, is a useful tool to help guide your viewer's focus to the most critical aspects of your poster. The most effective advertisements are uncluttered and crisp. Don't assume that you have to use every pixel; allow your message to have room to breathe by strategically using white space as a form of punctuation. Change the space between elements to indicate when elements are closely related and should be interpreted as a group or to separate distinct points within your message.
Less is More
Probably the most critical thing to keep in mind when designing your poster is to keep it simple. Even though your sign will be larger than life, viewers will only have a few seconds to notice and understand it. Focus and simplicity are crucial to making sure you get your point across effectively.
Keep your message to a single idea. Then, use bold and clean images paired with short, direct statements that leave no doubt in your viewer's mind about what you want them to know. If you need help creating an eye-catching and stunning poster for your business, contact Picket Fence Graphics. We will work with you to ensure your vision