![\"poster](\"https:\/\/designshack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/all-ears.jpg\")
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Poster design starts with a common canvas. Common poster sizes include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- 8.5 by 11-inch letter (or A4)<\/li>\n
- 11 by 17 inches<\/li>\n
- 24 by 36 inches<\/li>\n
- 27 by 41 inches (standard movie poster size)<\/li>\n
- Posters are most commonly designed with a vertical orientation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
While most of these sizes have a similar aspect ratio, you\u2019ll probably have to make some design adjustments for different sizes. You should also take time to think about printing from the start. Will the poster be printed with or without a bleed? That can truly determine the direction of the design. <\/p>\n
2. Create a Visual Theme<\/h3>\n
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![\"poster](\"https:\/\/designshack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Indie-Rock-Fest-Flyer-Poster.jpg\")
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Since a poster is often a one-off design, you can create a visual theme unique to the project. <\/p>\n
Start with one dominant element to drive the design. This can be a photo, illustration or text. The reason you want to create a distinct and dominant visual is that posters are most likely to be ready from a distance. You want people to see the design from across the room and be drawn into the content. <\/p>\n
Poster design also tends to \u201clive\u201d in a cluttered space with lots of competition for attention. A strong visual theme can help your poster design stand out. <\/p>\n
3. Include Key Text Elements<\/h3>\n
Most poster designs have three levels of text. You should establish a type hierarchy that provides ample readability for each.<\/p>\n
Headline<\/h4>\n
The biggest and most important text in the poster. It should be big, huge even. These words will catch the attention of passers-by from a distance and make them want to know more. <\/p>\n
Details<\/h4>\n
Particularly for events or timely poster content, this text is somewhat smaller than the headline but still of a decent size. This text should answer any question the user has after seeing the headline: Who, what, when, where? <\/p>\n
Fine Print<\/h4>\n
The smallest poster text is often reserved for mandatory information, disclaimers or other small details that only the most interested people will read. It might be there for legal purposes and does not have to carry much visual weight in the design. <\/p>\n
4. Play with Contrast<\/h3>\n
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![\"poster](\"https:\/\/designshack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/Jamming-Flyer-Poster.jpg\")
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The most important overall visual element in a poster design is contrast.<\/p>\n
Make sure the design provides plenty of contrast in terms of:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Size of elements in relation to one another<\/li>\n
- Color of background and foreground elements<\/li>\n
- Visual separation from the location where the poster is located<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
5. Create Multiple Versions or a Series<\/h3>\n
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![\"poster](\"https:\/\/designshack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/soccer-cards.jpg\")
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A poster design can be shared on social media to help drive traffic to an event or to boost branding.<\/div>\nWhile some poster designs are simply made in one size for hanging in various locations, it\u2019s more likely that you\u2019ll need the same, or similar, designs in multiple sizes. Or maybe the poster design is for a series of similar events with a similar, but with a slightly different main image and\/or text.<\/p>\n
Think about how to adjust your poster design template or custom design to different sizes and for use with different pieces of content for a constituent visual theme. <\/p>\n
These different sizes can also extend to use in digital formats as well. A poster design can be shared on social media (often with a different aspect ratio) to help drive traffic to an event or to boost branding. <\/p>\n
5 Poster Templates<\/h2>\n
Not sure where to start with a poster design? A template can provide a great place to start with a preplanned visual theme. <\/p>\n
Just find a template that suits your content and style \u2013 we have five great options here \u2013 and customize it with your colors, branding and information. Be creative with these templates, even though they often have a theme associated with them, most can be used for almost any purpose. <\/p>\n
![\"poster](\"https:\/\/designshack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/festival-poster-template.jpg\")
<\/div>\n![\"poster](\"https:\/\/designshack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/party-poster-template.jpg\")
<\/div>\n![\"poster](\"https:\/\/designshack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/watercolor-poster.jpg\")
<\/div>\n![\"poster](\"https:\/\/designshack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/handdy.jpg\")
<\/div>\n![\"poster](\"https:\/\/designshack.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/fashion-poster-template.jpg\")
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