Information Technology Services

Academic Technology Services

Poster Printing Frequently Asked Questions

Back to Poster Printing Guidelines

Why is there a charge for posters for my class?
ITS's goal is to provide a service to Clark faculty, staff and students at a reasonable price that allows us to continue to offer that service. Our charges cover our cost of consumables for printing large format posters. These include the ink and paper, as well as the replacement of print heads and ongoing maintenance. We do not recoup costs for staff support or capital (the printer itself).
What software should I use when preparing my poster?
The most accessible and universal software for preparing your poster is Microsoft PowerPoint. It is installed on all computers in the general purpose computing labs as well as the New Media Lab.
I don't know how to design a poster, what should I do?
  1. Review the guidelines for poster preparation in the Active Learning pages.
  2. Watch this screencast that covers the basics of poster design in PowerPoint. The accompanying documentation is available in as a downloadable PDF document.
  3. Visit a web site on the topic of research poster preparation such as this one at NC State University
  4. Or, contact the Student Help Desk for assistance.
I want to use the University logo. Where can I get it?
Public Affairs maintains a Graphics Standards web resource with information about the use of the University logo, logotype, and mark and brand.
Are there specific fonts that I should use?
Since the font you use must also be available on the machine printing the poster, in general, we recommend using the core Microsoft fonts. They are Andale Mono, Arial, Arial Black, Comic Sans MS, Courier New, Georgia, Impact, Times New Roman, Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Webdings, Adobe Minion Web. If you choose to use a font not in this list, we cannot guarantee that the final output will be what you expect it to be.
What if I make a mistake?
  • Proof your work carefully, word by word, line by line.
  • Don't rely solely on spell check. It's worthwhile to have several people proof your poster before submitting it for printing.
  • Mistakes submitted for printing become your responsibility.
What should I name my file?
The file name you choose MUST begin with your Clark username and exclude spaces and symbols.

Example: jsmithfallfestposter.ppt
How do I get my file to ITS for printing?
Submit your file via the online Printing Request Form.
How long does production take and where do I pick up my poster?
Typically it takes two to three working days for your poster to be printed. You will pick up your printed poster at the ITS Help Desk in Carlson Hall 004. You must pay for your poster at the time of pickup. Payment can be made with cash or interdepartmental requisition.
Does ITS proof my work before they print?
No. Proofing is solely your responsibility. Please proof your work carefully before submitting for printing.