Posters have long been a go-to advertising method for many businesses. Anytime you need to announce a special event, alert customers to new products you have, or promote your business in any other way, a good poster is one of the ways to get the job done!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what exactly makes a poster \u201cgood\u201d? The answer is actually simpler than you think. While creativity and originality are certainly important in poster design, there is something of a formula you can use when designing a poster. If you follow these guidelines, your posters are sure to be eye-catching and get people excited about your business or event:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why do these tips help guarantee good poster design? Let\u2019s examine each tip \u2014 and what makes it essential for designing an effective and beautiful poster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you begin designing a poster, you need to have a finished product in mind. However, \u201ca finished product\u201d doesn\u2019t just mean the type of images or copy you want on the poster (though those are important elements); it also refers to the location where you plan to hang your sign.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you hang your poster in a shop window, on a bulletin board in a cafe, or on a lamppost at the street corner, it\u2019s important that you consider how the poster will look in this environment. Is it large enough for your audience to read it from across the road? Are the colours you use bold enough to stand out from the surrounding area? Will your target customer even see your poster in this particular spot?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Take time to think about these elements before you begin designing your poster. If you don\u2019t, you could risk making a critical design flaw that could make your poster far less effective and impactful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Colour use is very important when you are designing a poster. Most posters are meant to be seen from afar (for example, from across the street), and they must look interesting enough to catch an onlooker\u2019s eye and draw them in to learn more. Therefore, it\u2019s important that your poster stand out from the crowd!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the easiest ways to make your poster stand out is by using bright and bold contrasting colours. Use a deep, rich hue for your background with copy in a large, white typeface (or vice versa). Draw attention to your logo<\/a> or other imagery with lots of white space around your poster. These tactics will help catch the eyes of your audience every time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And remember: your poster should also contrast with your location. If you\u2019re planning to hang your poster on a brick wall, a brick-red background might blend in TOO well and make your poster seem to disappear!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to an attractive colour palette, creative poster design also needs to have compelling imagery. This can mean many things \u2014 your company logo, a photo of a model, a unique illustration \u2014 but it\u2019s best to have only one image dominating your poster design.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we\u2019ve already mentioned, posters are meant to catch the viewer\u2019s eye from a distance. If your poster has too much going on, the images can be overwhelming to the eye \u2014 which is unlikely to make your audience want a second look. One interesting image is all your audience needs to grab their attention. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you are choosing the right image for your poster, try to keep it simple. Think about close-up images of people or things or illustrations with a clear focal point. Sticking with a simple image will allow you more freedom in your use of colour and typography, and it will make for a better finished poster overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagery is very important to good poster design. Without compelling images and attractive use of colour, you\u2019ll never get your audience\u2019s attention! However, getting their attention is only half the battle \u2014 once they\u2019re looking at your poster, you also need to make sure they can understand your message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Readability is one of the most important design elements for posters, signs, brochures<\/a>, and any other marketing materials. After all, if your audience doesn\u2019t understand what you\u2019re saying, they\u2019ll never engage with your company the way you want them to. Make sure you use clear, readable fonts<\/a> (avoid script if possible) and that you give your copy plenty of white space around it. This will keep your poster from becoming too busy and your message being lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, always remember the number one rule of marketing copy: proofread! Double- or even triple-check your spelling and grammar (you can even have a co-worker look over your drafts before sending them to print). A misspelling or grammar mistake can reflect badly on your business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the UK, your average poster ranges in size from A4 (210 x 297mm) to A0 (841 x 1189mm). The poster size<\/a> you choose will depend on where you decide to hang it (again, location is always important). However, it\u2019s also possible to print the same poster in a variety of sizes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating a poster in an assortment of sizes gives you the freedom to expand your horizons. You can now hang your poster in many different spaces \u2014 which means that more people are likely to see it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, a design that looks great in an A0 size may look too cluttered when scaled down to A4. When you are designing your poster, consider printing proofs of it in various sizes. This will help you determine if your graphic design work is suitable for any size or if you need to make some minor adjustments. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHave a Dominant Image<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Focus on Readability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Play with Sizing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Get Professional Posters Online<\/h2>\n\n\n\n