SURE FAQ

Q: How do I create and print a poster to display my research results?

A: Use the following guide to create and print your research poster.

Creating and Printing a Research Poster

1. Create a new PowerPoint slide. Under the "File" menu choose "Page Setup". Make the width of the poster no greater than 40 inches, and make the height 32 inches or less.
   
   
2. Next, design your PowerPoint slide to look how you want. Remember there is alot more space now than a standard 8.5 x 11 slide and you should only have one slide.
   
   
3. Next, go to a computer that has the drivers for the plotter installed. The SURE Graduate Assistant's desktop and laptop both have the required drivers. You can also get the drivers yourself from Amanda Harris in EIB 309.
   
   
4. Load the PowerPoint slide onto the computer. Choose "Print" under the "File" menu. For the printer name choose "HP designjet 5500ps 42 by hp". Next click on the "Properties" button beside the printer name. You should now see a screen where you can choose the paper size. Choose ANSI E - 34 x 44 in. Check "Roll" and make sure the roll specified is "42 inch roll". In the "Orientation" category, choose "Landscape". Now hit "OK".
   
   
5. You should now be back at the "Print" window again. Click the "Preview" button in the lower left-hand corner to make sure your poster looks correct. Zoom in and make sure any images you have aren't too fuzzy. Once everything looks good, click "Print..." in the upper left-hand corner, and then click "OK". If you get a message that says something about "clipping occurring", that means that you probably didn't get the page or print size set correctly, and that the printer will probably cut off part of your plot. You will now be back at the print preview of what you just printed. In the upper left corner of your screen, you'll see a box that says "Spooling" and then "Printing". Do not close it, and make sure that you do not exit PowerPoint until this box has gone away.
   
   
6. Your plot will take about 5-10 minutes to print. Go check on your plot in EIB 309 to make sure there are no problems with it. Be sure to pick it up shortly after it's done printing, because otherwise it might lay on the floor too long and get wrinkled.