How to Make a Poster for Impactful Displays

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Posters are one of the oldest and most versatile forms of communication. From promoting a blockbuster film to advertising a garage sale, the humble poster is a powerful tool for grabbing attention and conveying a message. Whether you’re a small business owner looking to drive traffic, a design student honing your craft or a PTA member organizing an event, understanding how to create an impactful poster can elevate your project.

This article will take you through everything you need to know about making an eye-catching and effective poster, from identifying the key components to learning pro tips for graphic design and distribution.

How to make a poster in 10 steps

Identify the goal of your poster
Select a design platform
Choose your poster format and layout
Pick a relevant or branded color scheme
Use fonts to create a hierarchy of information
Write concise and impactful text
Add high-quality images
Make your call to action stand out
Review and proofread your design
Download and export in the right format

01. Identify the goal of your poster

Before starting your design, clarify the purpose of your poster. Are you promoting an event, advertising a new product or educating your audience about a topic? Your poster’s goal will shape every design decision—from the layout and imagery to the messaging style.

Ask yourself:

What action do I want the viewer to take after seeing this poster?
What emotion should the poster evoke?
How does this poster align with your overall marketing strategy (if applicable)?

02. Select a design platform

When choosing a design platform, it’s essential to ensure that it aligns with your creative and functional needs.Look out for key features such as a range of pre-designed templates, access to high-quality fonts and tools for easily adjusting color schemes, layout spacing and imagery.

Wixel offers an intuitive interface that’s easy to use, even for beginners, while providing advanced customization features for seasoned designers. Wixel also supports seamless exporting options, allowing you to bring your poster to life across various digital design or print mediums without hassle.

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03. Choose your poster format and layout

Before diving into designing your poster, it’s important to decide on the format and layout that best suits your needs. Wixel offers a variety of options including portrait, landscape and square layouts, as well as standard sizes such as A4, A3 or custom dimensions.

Each layout has its own advantages depending on the type of message you want to convey. For example, a portrait layout works best for vertical designs with more text and fewer images while a landscape layout allows for a wider canvas to showcase larger visuals.

Additionally, consider the placement of content elements such as titles, subtitles, images and logos when choosing your layout. This will help create a harmonious flow throughout your design.

Explore creative poster design ideas to bring your next design project to life.

04. Pick a relevant or branded color scheme

The colors you choose should be guided by color theory and play a big role in setting the tone and emotional impact of your poster. Branded designs should align with your company’s color palette, while one-time projects should use colors that reflect the message and mood of the content.

For example, warm colors like red and orange evoke energy and excitement, whereas cooler tones like blue and green convey professionalism and calmness. Understanding color meanings can help you choose the right palette to convey your message. Use tools like the Wixel color palette generator to find harmonious combinations.

05. Use fonts to create a hierarchy of information

Typography is more than just picking pretty fonts—it’s about organizing information in a way that's easy to read and visually appealing. Use different font sizes, weights or styles to add depth and guide the viewer’s eye.

Start with attention-grabbing headlines in bold, large fonts. Subheadings or dates can use mid-sized fonts, while supporting details should stay smaller but readable. Stick to two to three font styles for consistency. If you’re unsure, pair a decorative font with a clean, sans-serif typeface.

Learn how font choices can elevate your poster design—explore what is typography.

06. Write concise and impactful text

Craft concise and persuasive text. Stick to a hierarchy where fewer words at the top grab attention, while smaller sections below provide supporting details. A clear message coupled with balanced white space amplifies your poster’s readability.

For example, rather than writing, "The Annual Food Festival is happening this Saturday with over 50 stalls," condense it to, “Annual Food Festival. This Saturday. 50+ food stalls to explore.” Proofread your text and check for typos—errors can detract from the professionalism of your design.

07. Add high-quality images

Compelling visuals elevate any design. Choose high-resolution images that align with your message and tone. Low-quality or pixelated images can detract from your message, so invest in quality visuals.

For a product advertisement, feature a crisp product image. Event-focused posters benefit from action shots or themed visuals. Avoid images that become pixelated when scaled up—anything less than 300 DPI may result in poor-quality prints.

08. Make your call to action stand out

A call-to-action (CTA) directs viewers to take the next step. What do you want your audience to do after seeing your poster? It could be attending an event, visiting a website or contacting you for more information.

Use action-oriented phrases like "Register Now," "Scan to Learn More," or "Get Your Free Trial." Position the CTA prominently using bold fonts, contrasting colors or a boxed design.

09. Review and proofread your design

Before finalizing your design, step back and review it with fresh eyes. Check for any spelling or grammar errors and make sure all the information is accurate. Ask a friend or colleague to give their feedback on the design and see if any changes need to be made.

Take this opportunity to also check for consistency in design elements like alignment, font sizes and colors. A well-crafted poster can quickly lose its impact if there are inconsistencies in these areas.

10. Download and export in the right format

The final step is exporting your design for printing or online sharing. Ensure you choose the correct resolution and file type. For prints, use a PDF format with CMYK color settings. Adjust resolution depending on size to avoid blurry outputs. For digital posters, JPEG or PNG formats work best.

Some platforms, like Wixel, allow you to customize export settings further depending on your project's requirements. Double-check your file before submission to ensure all text and images appear as intended.

Tips to print and distribute your poster

Now that your poster is ready, it's time to share it with the world. A little strategic planning can go a long way to ensuring your hard work gets the attention it deserves. Here are some tips to help you bring your poster to life and get it noticed by the right audience:

Choose the right printing method

Consider factors such as budget, turnaround time and quantity when deciding on a printing method. Digital printers are ideal for smaller quantities and quick turnaround times, while offset printers are better for larger quantities and high-quality prints.

Select the right paper

The type of paper you choose can impact the overall look and feel of your poster. Glossy paper is great for vibrant colors, while matte paper creates a more subtle effect.

Consider different sizes

Don't limit yourself to just one size for your poster. Consider printing multiple sizes and distributing them in various places, such as coffee shops, community boards or local events.

Place your posters strategically

When it comes to distribution, think about where your target audience is likely to see your poster. For example, if you're promoting a music event, consider placing posters near popular concert venues or record stores. If you're advertising a new product, distribute posters in areas frequented by potential customers.

Use social media and online platforms

Share images of your poster on social media and online communities related to your topic or event. This can help increase visibility and attract more viewers..

Poster dimensions

It’s important to know the standard dimensions for different poster types, ensuring your design looks polished and professional. Use the following guidelines to tailor your poster size to fit your placement and audience reach goals:

Small posters (11”x17”): Ideal for community bulletin boards or store windows.
Medium posters (18”x24”): Great for events or promotions.
Large posters (24”x36”): Often used for venues and advertising in public spaces.

Types of posters

There’s no one-size-fits-all poster. Posters come in various styles tailored for specific purposes. Choosing the poster type best suited to your purpose will depend on what you're promoting and who you're targeting. Here are some common types:

Event posters: Capture excitement while detailing the event time and location. Use contrasting fonts to emphasize key details.
Advertisement posters: Ideal for product launches or special offers. Give prominence to the product image or promotional details.
Political posters: Designed to inspire and persuade, these often combine striking visuals with slogans.
Movie posters: Focus on imagery that teases the storyline or major actors involved.
Travel posters: Highlight destinations with vivid landscapes or cultural visuals.
Educational and informative posters: Use diagrams or charts to share knowledge clearly and engagingly.
Infographic posters: Combine data and visuals into a design that informs and captivates the viewer.

How to make a poster for impactful displays