File Prep Instructions for Presentation Posters

How to use PowerPoint to creat presentation poster files

If you are creating your presentation poster in PowerPoint, we prefer to have a pptx (versions 2007-2016) or a ppt (2003 and earlier) file. Do NOT save back to a ppt file from the newer versions that can make a pptx- some features are lost to the older format. To save a pdf, use File>Save As and choose pdf as the file type in PowerPoint 2007-2016. Making a pdf from 2003 and earlier, in our experience, does not produce quality presentation posters.

We can generally achieve great results from PowerPoint. One common concern is that it will not let you set a page size larger than 56" in either dimension. If your presentation poster needs to be larger, set things up at half size, i.e. for a 48x72 poster set it up as 24x36. We'll print it at 200%. When doing an online order, choose the size the poster is to be printed.

There are a number of cross-platform issues with PowerPoint, in particular the PC does not like PICT photos from the Mac. We have some collaborating advice if you are working with others on a PowerPoint poster. It is almost always better to have your colleage look at a pdf or jpg of the poster design, since opening a PowerPoint presentation file with different versions and across platforms will show different things on the screen.

Review our guide on how to collaborate to generate a phenomenal PowerPoint poster using Free Templates!

How to Use Other Graphics Programs to create Presentation Poster Files

We find that most graphic design programs will write a good pdf, save a high resolution CMYK pdf. From newer Adobe programs give us X-1A pdf's, which flattens the layers. Check your pdf carefully to be sure it has been written correctly! For PhotoShop we would tell you not to send us a pdf, because there is really no reason to make a pdf out of a bitmap file.

Images in your designs should be between 72 and 100 dpi in the size they will be printed.

If you want to send us the native file:

Photoshop- Flatten your image and send us RGB tif files, set up to actual size and at 72-100 dpi resolution. LZW compression on tif files is lossless and will make them smaller when you upload them. If you have control over the color profile associated with the file, use sRGB. Some photoshop effects do not survive flattening, and you can send us the psd file if needed.

If you really want to send us a jpg, make it the highest quality you can. The lower quality jpg you make, the less vibrant the color will be on your final presentation poster.

Quark- Collect your file for output and then stuff the folder so we only have one file to deal with as it comes in. Quark also makes a good pdf, be sure you give us the highest resolution pdf it will make.

InDesign- Package your file for output and zip or stuff the file. We really like pdf's from InDesign!

Illustrator- Save as an EPS and convert your type to outlines.

CorelDraw- Convert your type to curves and send us the cdr file.

Publisher- Do not set up pages larger than 30x40. If you need something larger than that, set it up at half or quarter size and we will expand it here. Publisher allows you to set up larger pages, but it cannot address printer dimensions that large.