Posters have the power to grab attention from a distance, prompt curiosity and motivate people to take action, whether attending an event, checking out your product or learning more about your brand. Thanks to user-friendly design platforms like VistaCreate and VistaPrint, creating a poster can be straightforward, affordable and fun.
In this article, we’ll outline the different types of posters, the online tools available for good poster design and a step-by-step guide to creating a poster from scratch or using a template. We’ll help you discover how to make a poster look good and leave a lasting impression. So, if you’ve been wondering how to make eye-catching posters that stand out without hiring a graphic designer, you’re in the right place.
- There are different types of posters, including event posters, large-format advertising, promotional posters, infographic posters and digital or online posters.
- To make a poster, choose the right size and orientation to ensure the format works for the display location. Then, choose a template and customize the design so it appeals to the intended audience.
- Customize the design by changing colors and fonts, removing backgrounds and adding images, text and graphics. Make sure your design is on brand and refers to the poster design tips.
- Tips for designing posters include prioritizing simplicity, using consistent branding, considering visual hierarchy, leveraging free tools, choosing typography wisely and testing legibility.
- VistaCreate and VistaPrint offer user-friendly tools, like design templates, a background remover, an upload tool and a photo library, that make designing an event poster or other types of posters easy.
Poster design for a donut shop
Types of posters
First, you need to decide where your poster will be displayed—in your store, on the street, on a community bulletin board, at a trade show or online?
Then choose between these popular poster types based on your promotional needs:
- Event posters: Typically 11” x 17” or 18” x 24” posters displayed in windows, on walls or bulletin boards. Perfect for promoting local events, concerts, fundraising events, workshops or sales.
- Large-format advertising posters: Bigger than 18” x 24”, these posters make an impression in conference halls, event venues and public spaces. Great if you need to stand out in a busy environment.
- Promotional posters: Used by businesses to promote products, special offers or grand openings.
- Infographic posters: Ideal for businesses that want to present data or display information in a visually engaging, digestible way.
- Digital/online posters: Design posters for social media, websites, newsletters or digital signage screens to capture attention online.
Sizes and orientation
The standard poster sizes are 18” x 24”, 11” x 17” and 8.5” x 11”. Posters typically have a portrait orientation, though landscape can work for digital ads or wide display boards.
The size and orientation of your poster will depend on where it will be displayed, your printing budget and design goals. A large poster in a small space can be overwhelming, while a tiny poster in a big space may go unnoticed. So always keep the display location in mind as you make your poster.
VistaPrint Studio vs. VistaCreate
Through VistaPrint’s collection of services, you have a few options for making a poster. VistaPrint Studio is a simple, straightforward and user-friendly interface for creating custom products to print through VistaPrint. The plug-and-play editor offers basic customization options so you can make your design your own. VistaPrint also offers professional design services, if you’re time-constrained or looking for that extra pro flair.
VistaCreate, on the other hand, is a free design platform that lets you customize designs for both print and online marketing. For those looking for more advanced editing tools—without the learning curve—it’s a great option.
Powerful poster-making tools
When using VistaPrint or VistaCreate to make a professional-looking poster, it’s handy to know these tools and features that can help to streamline the design process.
Templates
Templates are lifesavers for design beginners and time-crunched entrepreneurs, cutting down on design time and offering a professional look. Pre-made templates ensure your poster design follows the balanced spacing, alignment and hierarchy principles necessary to create professional-looking posters.
Vista’s template libraries have thousands of customizable poster templates to choose from, whether you want a simple plug-and-play design or a more detailed poster template you can experiment with. You’ll find that you can customize your poster for various purposes, styles, color schemes and themes in both the VistaPrint Studio and VistaCreate.
Ceramics shop poster design.
Background Remover
VistaCreate’s background remover feature means you can easily upload any image, remove the background with a few clicks and seamlessly blend that image into your poster design. This is useful for:
- Product images where you don’t want to include the background.
- Adding a cutout of a person (like a speaker at your event).
- Crafting a clean, modern design where only the main subject is featured.
Upload
The upload tool allows you to insert brand logos, images or graphics directly into your poster design, both in VistaPrint Studio and VistaCreate. This helps ensure consistent branding across all marketing materials. This is how you incorporate brand-aligned visual elements into your poster so it feels authentically yours.
Photo and object libraries
Not every small business owner has a stash of professional photos ready to upload. Luckily, VistaCreate’s photo and object libraries offer a vast selection of high-quality images to fit nearly any theme. Search relevant keywords to find backgrounds, images, illustrations and design elements to help craft a professional-looking poster for free. If you’re working in VistaPrint Studio, you can browse through a catalog of icons, shapes and clipart to incorporate into your poster design.
How to make a poster in 4 steps in VistaCreate
Making a poster isn’t so complicated when you break the process down into simple steps. Here’s how to make a poster step by step using VistaCreate’s free online poster maker.
Online Poster Maker via VistaCreate.
Step 1: Size your poster
The first step in good poster design is deciding on dimensions. Will you print a standard 18” x 24” poster or use a custom poster size? If you have a VistaCreate Pro subscription or sign up for the free trial, you can set up custom dimensions to suit your specific needs.
Answering these questions will help you decide which size your poster should be:
- Where will the poster be displayed? 18” x 24” or 11” x 17” work for store windows or walls, but if your poster will be displayed in a lobby or outdoor ad space, go larger.
- What’s your budget? Work out if there’s room in your budget for a VistaCreate Pro subscription to access custom sizes. Larger posters also cost more to print, so factor that into your marketing budget.
- Do you have brand guidelines? Some company guidelines may require specific poster dimensions.
Once you’ve decided what size your poster should be, simply select it from the Resize menu or create a custom size (or keep it at the default 18” x 24” poster size) to start building your design canvas.
Step 2: Select a template or upload a design
Here’s where the fun starts—browsing the thousands of free poster templates VistaCreate offers. To streamline the results, filter or search by keyword and category. For instance, if you’re hosting a charity fundraising event, type “fundraiser poster” or “charity event poster” into the search bar to see relevant design templates.
Poster templates via VistaCreate.
If you want to make your poster from scratch, opt for a blank template and let your creativity shine, or upload a design you’ve already created. But if you have limited design skills and want to jump straight into customization, templates are your best bet.
The purpose of your poster will also determine your design choices. For example, if you’re promoting a concert, choose a template with bold, dynamic graphics, whereas a more minimalist style with serif fonts will resonate better for a corporate business event.
Step 3: Customize the design
So, now you’ve got your template and your poster design is starting to take shape, the next step is customizing the visual elements. Before you do this, consider your target audience. Who is your poster speaking to? Busy parents, college students, school kids, the local community or a professional audience? Your poster’s look and feel should appeal to their tastes and lifestyle.
Customizing a poster template via VistaCreate.
Start tailoring every detail to make sure your poster content grabs attention:
- Edit backgrounds: Choose a background that fits your brand or event theme. Use the photo library or a solid color for a clean look.
- Upload your logo and images: This is where you add your personal or brand touches. Upload your business logo and place it strategically so it’s easily visible but not distracting.
- Add text: Think about information hierarchy and make the most crucial info (like date, time, discount or event name) big and bold. Secondary info (location, social media handles, URL, RSVP link, tagline) can take up less space.
- Choose colors: Use your brand’s color palette to create cohesion across all print marketing materials. Otherwise, choose colors that align with the poster’s theme—bright colors for a summer sale or neutral tones for a wellness retreat.
- Upload brand fonts: Well-chosen typography can instantly elevate the appearance of your poster. Pick from bold, serif, sans-serif, handwritten or decorative font styles. For cohesive branding, you can upload brand fonts with a Pro subscription. Stick to a maximum of two or three fonts for a polished look.
- Graphic elements: Select icons, shapes, stickers, pictures and illustrations from the objects library to help visualize your message more effectively. But remember, less is often more!
A few clever, well-placed visual elements can inform how to make a poster interesting without overwhelming your message. Use objects sparingly so you don’t clutter the poster design.
You can also play around with layering—placing objects, images or text in front of or behind each other—for a dynamic look. Just keep an eye on the overall balance and readability.
Finalizing a poster design via VistaCreate.
Step 4: Download and print
Once your poster design is finalized, it’s time to download and print. Depending on how you plan to display or distribute your poster, you can:
- Download a high-resolution PDF format (best for professional printing).
- Download a JPG or PNG file (best for sharing posters online or on social media).
- Print at home (for small print runs and if you have a decent printer). Use suitable paper (glossy or matte photo paper) for best results.
- Click the “Print online” button to order high-quality prints from VistaPrint (best for printing professional-looking posters in large quantities).
Once you have your printed posters, read up on how to hang a poster to ensure it looks exactly how you imagined it out in the real world!
How to make a poster in 4 steps using VistaPrint Studio
Creating an eye-catching poster is easy when you break the job into bite-sized tasks. Below is a step-by-step guide to designing a poster with VistaPrint’s free online design editor, VistaPrint Studio. (If you’ve used VistaCreate before, the flow will feel familiar.)
Make a poster with VistaPrint Studio.
Step 1: Select a template or upload a design
Get started by browsing VistaPrint’s library of professionally designed poster templates. Use the search bar or category filters (e.g., “music festival,” “grand opening,” “fundraiser”) to narrow the choices.
Prefer to start from scratch? Choose a blank canvas or import a full-bleed PDF you created elsewhere. Either way, VistaPrint Studio keeps layers intact so you can tweak every detail.
Choose a template to get started in VistaPrint Studio.
Step 2: Size your poster
Good poster design starts with picking the right dimensions. VistaPrint offers eight standard sizes, from letter-size 8.5 × 11 in. to a large 36 × 48 in. If you want custom sizing, then you’re better off with VistaCreate.
Ask yourself:
- Where will it hang? Letter or 11 × 17 in. works for bulletin boards, but storefront windows or outdoor kiosks call for something bigger.
- What’s your budget? Larger prints cost more, so balance visibility with print cost.
- Do you have brand rules? Some organizations mandate specific poster sizes.
Once you’ve decided, click “Change Size” in the top toolbar, pick a preset and VistaPrint Studio will resize the canvas for you.
Customize your template in VistaPrint Studio.
Step 3: Customize the design
With a layout on screen, tailor it to your audience:
- Backgrounds: Pick a solid color, drop in a brand photo or explore free stock images.
- Images and logos: Drag-and-drop JPG, PNG or SVG files. Smart guides help you center and align.
- Text: Establish a clear hierarchy, headline big and bold, details in smaller type.
- Colors: Apply your brand palette or use VistaPrint’s eyedropper to pull hues from an image.
- Fonts: VistaPrint’s font library covers serif, sans-serif, script and display styles.
- Graphic elements: Add icons, shapes and stickers from the objects panel, but keep it focused so the key message shines.
Choose your preferred paper stock in VistaPrint Studio.
Step 4: Print
When everything looks perfect, click “Next,” then click the box that states “I have reviewed and approve my design.” Finally, click “Continue” and choose your paper stock:
- Semi-gloss (best for promotional displays).
- Premium matte (best for storefront displays).
- Premium glossy (best for large photos).
- Outdoor (best for outdoor displays).
Ready for those hard copies? Hit “Add to cart,” follow the steps and quantity in one checkout flow, then track shipping right from your account.
And that’s it: Four straightforward steps to a polished, print-ready poster with VistaPrint Studio. Happy designing!
6 tips for making a poster
When designing event posters or understanding how to make an informative poster, these simple tips can help.
1. Prioritize simplicity
Your poster should be easy to read from a short distance (or a quick social media scroll). A cluttered design can be difficult to scan, so resist the urge to cram in every detail about your event, product or brand, and utilize white space effectively. Focus on one main graphic and a short, snappy headline that grabs attention.
2. Consider visual hierarchy
People in the West typically read top to bottom, left to right. Put your most important message front and center, followed by supporting details.
3. Leverage free tools
If you have a small budget, consider using Microsoft Word or PowerPoint for quick layouts. VistaCreate offers a free plan with plenty of features and templates, though upgrading to a Pro subscription unlocks more advanced tools and customization options.
4. Choose typography wisely
Use big, bold fonts for headlines and readable fonts for the body text. Start with one decorative or bold option for the title and a basic sans-serif font for secondary details.
5. Test legibility
Print a test on normal paper at home (even if it’s black and white) to check that the text is easily readable from the expected viewing distance.
6. Be consistent
If you’re marketing the same event, sale or promotion online, use a matching social media post template. Consistent branding is the key to building brand recognition and trust.
Ultimately, you can make a poster look nice with minimal effort if you follow these basic rules: keep it clear, concise and visually appealing. If you’re feeling creative, play around with color gradients, add interesting cutouts with the background remover or incorporate geometric shapes that align with your brand’s style.
Posters in a storefront window.
Make your poster count
Making posters to get the word out about your event or business might sound old-school, but versatile, creative poster designs remain a powerful way to share your brand message, bridging the gap between traditional marketing methods and digital platforms. If you’re wondering how to make a poster look good, the answer lies in careful planning, a dash of creativity and the right online tools, like Vista’s user-friendly features.
So go ahead, experiment with different fonts or color schemes and have fun. Posters are bold, creative statements designed to catch people’s attention. With some practice, you’ll discover the tricks of good poster design and learn how to make a poster look nice with just a few tweaks to a template.
