![\"Poster](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215728\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/theatre-play\/theatre-play.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA fun theatre poster designed by <\/em>Pdot<\/em><\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, we\u2019re about to tell you! By the end of this ultimate guide to poster design, you\u2019ll have all the design know-how you need to create amazing posters that work as stellar print marketing materials<\/a> for your business \u2014 the kind of posters that drive results (and drive people to your business or event). Ready to get started? Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to design an incredible poster, you need to set yourself up for success. The key to designing an amazing poster starts before the design process. When you take the necessary pre-design steps and get all your ducks in a row, it\u2019ll make actually designing the poster easier, faster and way more effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An action-packed poster for a surf school by <\/em>kiQ<\/em><\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter what kind of poster you\u2019re creating, it needs to feel true to your brand. But nothing you design will feel like you,<\/em> if you don\u2019t actually know who you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clearly defining your brand personality<\/a> is non-negotiable. If you\u2019re having an identity crisis as a brand, all of your designs \u2014 including your posters \u2014 are going to feel all over the place, unclear and confusing for your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is your design a shining star? Poster design by <\/em>galschjdot<\/em><\/a> for Shining Stars of Europe via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you get started designing your poster, it\u2019s important you know just who you\u2019re designing for. If you don\u2019t know who your target audience is, you\u2019re not going to be able to create a design that feels authentic and impactful to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you start designing, define your ideal customer. Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you have a clear definition of your ideal customer and who you\u2019re creating the poster for, it will help you make the right design decisions \u2014 the kind of decisions that will lead to the best poster for your target audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poster design by <\/em>mrsdesign_indonesia<\/em><\/a> for Airstream Rental VA via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re advertising a new store opening, a community fundraiser, or a Battle of the Bands (that\u2019s still a thing, right?), getting clear on your message needs to be on the top of your priority list. Because without a strong message, your poster is going to fall flat \u2014 no matter how awesome it\u2019s designed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, let\u2019s say you were throwing a fundraiser and were designing a poster to try to get people to come and volunteer. You\u2019d want to use compassionate, encouraging language that appeals to people\u2019s sense of philanthropy and imagery that represents coming together as a team. Using edgy or dark copy and images would feel totally off \u2014 and definitely wouldn\u2019t get people into the spirit of volunteering. You\u2019d also want to make sure your message is clear and concise. So, copy that reads \u201cVolunteers needed on March 2, 2025 for a fundraiser supporting victims of XYZ\u201d is always going to be more effective than vague, blurry \u201cwe\u2019re having an event\u201d copy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting clear on your message before you start the design process will help you choose design elements that complement and strengthen your messaging, which will make your overall design more impactful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poster design by <\/em>roberto615<\/em><\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to design a successful poster, you need to define how you\u2019re going to measure success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having metrics in place to determine the success of your poster should be a no-brainer, but it\u2019s a step a lot of businesses skip. But without solid metrics, you have no way of determining if your poster design was a slam dunk (meaning you should keep that design for future posters) or a total failure (meaning you need to get back to the drawing board and come up with a more impactful poster design).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before you get started with your poster design, decide what metrics you\u2019re going to use to measure success. What are you hoping to get out of your poster? And how are you going to measure that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you looking to drive ticket sales to a concert? Then you could add a QR code<\/a> or a custom URL to track sales that come directly from your poster. Are you trying to drive people into a restaurant? Add copy that tells people to mention the poster before their meal to get a 10% discount. Are you trying to get volunteers for a community event? On the signup form, ask them where they heard of the volunteer opportunity so you can see how many signups came from your poster campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you have firm metrics in place, it will tell you what\u2019s working and what\u2019s not, which will help you continually optimize your poster design \u2013 and get killer results in the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A unique poster for a club that plays female-friendly hip hop every Friday. Design by <\/em>Shwin<\/em><\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n We can\u2019t talk about poster design without talking about budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Defining your budget ahead of time is super important. Your budget determines how many posters you can print, what printer you should use, the best ink and paper options\u2026 it\u2019s information you\u2019ve got to know before you get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Look at your overall budget and divide it by how many posters you need printed. This will give you your budget-per-print. So, for example, let\u2019s say you had a budget of $500 and you needed 500 posters printed. That gives you a budget of $1 per print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knowing this number ahead of time will save you a ton of time and energy when you\u2019re exploring your print options. It will help you choose the best printer and print options for your budget \u2014 and will keep you from wasting time exploring options that are out of your price range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alright, now that we\u2019ve got all the prep-for-success pre-design stuff covered, let\u2019s talk about actually designing your poster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if you\u2019re designing a seasonal poster, you need to keep your brand design standards in mind. Poster design by <\/em>tomdesign.org<\/em><\/a> for Whale Juice & Blends via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that it\u2019s time to start designing, don\u2019t forget your brand design standards. While you might be tempted to try something new and out there for your poster, your design should still be in line with your overall branding<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choose design elements<\/a> (like colors and font) that feel in line with your brand personality and what you\u2019re advertising in your poster (so, for example, if you\u2019re a finance company advertising free financial evaluations, splashing neon colors all over your poster is not the look you should be going for from a branding standpoint).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just starting out and haven\u2019t figured out your brand design standards? Make sure to give our post on how to create a brand style guide<\/a> a read to help you iron out the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This fun and funky poster design is perfect for its audience of musical theater nerds. Poster design by <\/em>tale026<\/em><\/a> for Elevate via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n You probably have a really firm idea of what you\u2019d like your poster design to look like. But at the end of the day, it\u2019s not what you want that\u2019s important \u2014 it\u2019s what your audience wants. And if you want your poster to drive serious results, you need to keep your audience front of mind when you\u2019re making design decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important that the way you lay out your poster design makes sense for your audience. As you\u2019re designing your poster, ask \u201cwhat would my customers want?\u201d Would they be more into an image-heavy design or do they need more information laid out in text? Are they into big and flashy or more subtle and subdued? Are there specific colors or effects that will get them excited? Where can you put your most important info (like event details) so they\u2019re sure to see it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A sophisticated poster design for a wine tasting event by <\/em>beauhaus<\/em><\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also important to consider where your audience will be seeing the poster. Are you going to put this poster on the side of a bus? Then you\u2019ll want your font to be big and bold so they can catch important information even as a bus whizzes by. Is the poster going to be pinned to bulletin boards in coffee shops? Then you want to make sure to use bright colors and design elements so it stands out from all the other posters cluttering the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The more your poster design makes sense a) for your audience, and b) for how your audience is going to interact with it, the more successful it will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poster design for a workshop teaching the basics of wedding cinematography. Design by <\/em>semnitz<\/em><\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Next up, time to get all your copy and images together. Knowing what you\u2019re working with will help you figure out which poster layout<\/a> makes sense \u2014 and how to best arrange those elements to create the most impactful poster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if you know you have a lot of information and text you need to pack into your poster, you wouldn\u2019t want to choose a super large font size; it would make the poster seem overcrowded. On the flip side, if there\u2019s not a lot of text going on in the poster, you\u2019d want to make sure to have plenty of imagery and graphics in order to make the poster visually interesting \u2014 and to help the minimal text pop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Browse our selection of the best poster templates<\/a> for layout ideas and poster design inspiration.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n In terms of copy, there are a few things you need to have on every poster. First is a killer headline \u2014 you need something that\u2019s going to grab your audience\u2019s attention and compel them to keep reading. Next, you need to make sure you include relevant business information, like the name of your business or event, contact information and any necessary information to get them to fulfill your call-to-action (like where to purchase tickets or a specific website URL to visit).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind that your copy and images should work together. Each should complement the other to create an impactful poster design to draw your audience in. Make sure your copy and images \u2014 and the way you lay them out \u2014 feel cohesive and add to the overall effect of the poster design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to poster design (and design in general), there\u2019s nothing more important than style. But how do you make sure the right style comes across in your poster design?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poster design by <\/em>ultrastjarna<\/em><\/a> for GraphicStock via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s nothing worse than an all-over-the-place poster design. If your poster looks overloaded with too many design elements(Text! Images! 3D effects! Glitter! Shine!), your audience is going to be overwhelmed \u2014 and your message is going to get lost in the shuffle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want your poster design to be impactful, keep it simple, silly! Clean, simple and easy-to-process poster designs are always better than posters that look like they\u2019re trying to compete in a \u201chow much can I fit on one piece of paper?\u201d contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This cool music poster by <\/em>Ossob\u00fcko Designs<\/em><\/a> is perfect for a tech house event \u2013 and it grabs attention by standing out from the crowd via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n People love originality. And if you want your poster to make an impact, you need to be original.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People don\u2019t want to see more of the same old thing. If you want to grab their attention, you need to dare to be different! Try something new. Think outside of the box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The more original your poster design, the more it will stand out to your target audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A vibrant poster design that uses a different color for each flavour. Design by <\/em>Hass Hijazi<\/em><\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Color is a powerful thing. Color will set the mood for your poster, grab your audience\u2019s attention and can even subtly drive them to take a specific action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obviously, you want to incorporate your brand colors<\/a>. But you also want to think about how you can be strategic with your color choices. Is your poster advertising a kids event? Use primary colors, which have a vibrant, child-like feel. Are you trying to drive people to a poetry reading or a classical concert? Use deep and calming colors to set the right tone. Are you trying to drive people to a sales event? Incorporate the color red which, according to color psychology<\/a>, can amp people up, get them excited, and drive them to make a purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The more thoughtful and strategic you are with your color choices, the more those colors will drive your desired results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poster design by <\/em>semnitz<\/em><\/a> for Pushing Dead via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n You also want to give lots of thought to your typography. The fonts you choose \u2014 and how you lay out your text \u2014 can really impact the style of your poster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Going for a modern, young feel? Try a cool, clean sans serif font. More serious? Stick to a classic serif font. Trying to convey elegance? Try a script font.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How you lay out your text is just as important as the fonts you choose, so make sure you create a visual hierarchy with your text to bring attention to your most important points (like your headline).<\/p>\n\n\n\n A unique poster design for 3D company threal created by <\/em>arc44<\/em><\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The last thing you need to consider when designing your poster is also potentially the most important \u2014 making sure all eyes are on your call-to-action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The whole point of designing a poster is to get people to do something, whether that\u2019s visit your store, go to your event or do business with your company. And if you want them to do something, you need to, you know, tell them<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your CTA needs to be the main focal point of your poster. If your CTA is hiding in a teeny-tiny corner of your poster, no one\u2019s going to see it \u2014 and, as a result, no one is going to do what you want them to do. If you want people to take action, you need your CTA to be front, center and impossible to miss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well folks, you\u2019ve now got all the info you need to design an all-sorts-of-awesome poster. But before you can hold your finished poster in your hands, you need to evaluate your design and get it printed<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vintage poster design for a motorcycle show. Design by <\/em>adihb<\/em><\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s time to examine your final poster design and see if you need to make any changes before your poster is ready to be printed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you can, share your poster design with your other team members and get their input. If you all agree that the answer to these questions is a loud, resounding \u201cYES,\u201d guess what? You\u2019re ready to print. If you\u2019re on the fence, go back to the drawing board and fix any issues before you move forward with your final print.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take responsibility for your printing. Poster design by <\/em>Titlii<\/em><\/a> for northpoint via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Once your design is locked in, it\u2019s time to lock in a printer and bring your design to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all printers are created equal. A top-notch printer will deliver incredibly printed posters, while a less-than-stellar printer will deliver posters that you could\u2019ve printed better at your home office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re looking for a printer, go and meet them in person. Ask to see samples of posters they\u2019ve printed in the past. Seeing something in person will give you a better idea of the quality of work than viewing samples online\u2014plus, it gives you the opportunity to ask questions about their process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And you should definitely, 100% ask questions. Questions are the key to sussing out which printer is going to be the best fit for you and your print job. Ask questions like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best printers will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Poster design by <\/em>tale026<\/em><\/a> via 99designs by Vista.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Next up, you need to figure out which print materials are going to work best for your poster and your budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Things you\u2019ll have to choose include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Talk to your printer about what options would be best for your budget and the overall look you\u2019re going for with your poster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ve mastered how to design a poster, and now comes the crucial next step \u2014 sharing it with your audience. A stunning poster design is only as effective as its placement. Whether it\u2019s showcased in busy streets, local cafes, event spaces or even online, your poster needs to be seen to make an impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, don\u2019t let all that effort sit idle. Print your poster, hang it<\/a> where your audience can\u2019t miss it and let it start doing what it\u2019s meant to do \u2014 grab attention, spark interest and drive results. Designing is just half the job; now it\u2019s time to share your work with the world!<\/p>\n\n\n\nKey takeaways:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Before you start designing a poster<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Define your brand personality<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Action-packed](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_747,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215703\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/surf-school\/surf-school.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDefine your ideal customer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Poster](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_727,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215773\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/target-audience\/target-audience.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
Define your poster design message<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Poster](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215869\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/clear-message\/clear-message.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDefine your metrics for success<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Poster](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215681\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/clear-cta\/clear-cta.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDefine your poster design budget<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Minimalistic](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_727,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215843\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/club-poster\/club-poster.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow to design a poster that captures attention<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t forget your brand design standards<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Poster](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215823\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/halloween-drink\/halloween-drink.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDesign with your audience in mind<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_788,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215745\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/theater-performance\/theater-performance.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Poster](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_1014,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215881\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/city-light-box\/city-light-box.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGather your poster copy and images<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Poster](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_599,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215719\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/wedding-cinematography\/wedding-cinematography.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s all about style<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
KISS (Keep it simple, silly!)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Poster](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215693\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/film-poster\/film-poster.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDare to be different<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_983,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215810\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/interesting-imagery\/interesting-imagery.jpeg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nColor<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Three](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_566,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215672\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/bold-colors_28604e9350\/bold-colors_28604e9350.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTypography<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Poster](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215903\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/bold-typography\/bold-typography.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMake sure all eyes are on your CTA<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Poster](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215856\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/clear-message-poster\/clear-message-poster.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEvaluating and printing the finished poster design<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Evaluate your poster design<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Vintage](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_666,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215791\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/motorcycle-show\/motorcycle-show.jpeg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
![\"Text-heavy](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_1024,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215759\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/text-heavy\/text-heavy.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nChoose your printer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
![\"Branded](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vistaprint\/images\/w_850,h_1024,c_scale\/f_auto,q_auto\/v1733215892\/ideas-and-advice-prod\/blogadmin\/branded-poster-design\/branded-poster-design.jpg?_i=AA\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nPoster printing basics (AKA pick your print materials)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Time to roll things up\u2026 you know, like a poster<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n