How To Make A Poster that Grabs Attention Instantly

Sometimes, all it takes is a few powerful words to get your message across- and what better way to do this than through a well-designed poster?

Posters are a unique way to grab attention at a glance, deliver key information quickly, and leave a lasting impression. Achieving this requires a clear objective and the right design that matches it.

So, we’ve compiled 8 straightforward steps that will help you in designing a poster for effective communication, both digital and in print.

Let’s dive in.

1. Start with Intent and Your Audience

Intent and audience are the foundation around which all great poster designs work. They are the core that supports every creative decision you make.

For example, if you’re creating a poster for a college music fest, your intent would be to generate excitement and boost student attendance. So, you’ll go for vibrant colors and dynamic fonts to match the youthful vibe. And to make a quick impact, you will keep the text minimal and let your visuals do the talking.

That’s how you should tailor your visuals with a specific objective and intended audience.

2. Draft your Content

Next, outline your content. You’ll have to apply the less-is-more approach, i.e., less information with higher impact. This minimizes the risk of overwhelming the reader.

You can take references from the format given below.

If you’re organizing an event, you can add:-

Title- Fun or catchy name or hook
Date & Time- Mention the schedule clearly
Location- Add the venue
CTA- What action should people take
Extras- Any bonuses or perks (free snacks, giveaways, etc)

For campaigns like raising awareness about mental health:

Main message- Clear supportive headline
Subtext- a relatable, empathetic follow-up
Support info- Any helpful contact or resource
CTA- Encourage a specific action
Extras- Reassure with key benefits (e.g., confidential or free)

Both formats provide clear information by defining the tone and content. But you’ve to be specific about your CTA and the main message.

For a call-to-action to be impactful, you need to be clear about what you want your audience to do. In the above references, you can see how it differs for an event and a campaign. And for the main message, try to create a hook with short, creative, but simple words. But your creativity should not compromise the core message.

3. Choose the Right Tools

Whether you’re looking to design a poster for free or with advanced features, below are some awesome tool recommendations from our designers:

Canva

If you’re wondering how to make a poster on Canva, remember it’s a beginner-friendly platform. It offers plenty of templates and easy customization options to get you started quickly.

And the best part?

You can browse their template library on your desktop and smartphones. Just pick and choose what you and your brand need, then easily customize text, images, and colors to make it truly yours.

Postermywall

Postermywall is perfect for a quick, eye-catching poster, particularly when it comes to the digital poster. This platform features templates with animations and effects. You don’t need to sign up for basic edits, which makes it even more convenient for beginners.

How to design a poster using postermywal

Piktochart

Piktochart is the go-to tool for creating infographic posters. It assists in turning visual narratives in the form of numbers, facts, and timelines into clean, easy-to-understand visuals.

You can insert graphs, charts, and icons with ease. It is perfect for awareness campaigns, educational materials, or corporate posters.

Designcap

DesignCap is ideal for users who want a simple and flexible option. It offers a wide variety of poster templates encompassing themes like education, awareness, events, and business.

You can personalize your graphics without being overwhelmed by excessive features. It’s a good choice for anyone looking for results without investing much time in mastering the platform, much like Canva. And you won’t be charged for signing up.

If you’re looking for poster designs without relying on generic templates, feel free to sign up for our unlimited graphic design services. We will deliver custom designs that reflect your branding within 24 hours.

4. Pick a Template

Now we need to pick a template that aligns with our vision. This is where you need to consider the size and format that best fit your content and where you plan to display the poster.

When you design a poster to print, the standard sizes are 18 x 24, 24 x 36, and 27 x 40 inches. These dimensions are widely used as they allow for easy framing of content for various purposes and are budget-friendly. You can refer to the table below for more size options.

Types	Dimensions (inches)
Small	11 x 17
Medium	18 x 24
Large	20 x 24 and 24 x 36
Landscape	16 x 20, 20 x 24, and 24 x 36
Movie	27 x 40
Concert and Band	11 x 17 to 24 x 36

Also, make sure to add the bleed, trim, and safe zones to meet the printing specifications. This way, your important details won’t get clipped off, especially for offline sharing.

For digital posters, you can use the original dimensions, but it’s important to follow the size recommendations set by different social platforms.

5. Add a Relevant Image

Next, you have to select a powerful and relevant stock image or illustration that resonates with your audience and reinforces your message. For example, if you are exploring how to design a science poster, you need to choose visuals like microscope images or lab equipment to connect with the topic.

Also, if you’re placing text over an image, choose visuals with clean areas (like a blurred background or a sky) to keep the text readable. Your image should guide the reader, not overwhelm them.

6. Work on Colors, Fonts, and Icons

Brands already have their set branding guidelines for colors and fonts. If you also have one, stick to those. Or you can modify it for a particular event, theme, and specific purpose- especially if you’re aiming to create cool designs for a poster, aligning with your goal.

For example, you can use spooky fonts and darker color tones for Halloween posters. Similarly, you can apply them as per your specific requirements. However, for colors, you also have to consider how you plan to share them. If it’s for online mode, use the RGB color code, and for sharing in print, stick to the CMYK color code.

You can also add some fun icons to replace words (like clocks for timings or a location pin for a venue). It will make your information easy to scan and visually appealing.

7. Assess and Adjust

Now that you know how to make a poster, it’s time to also learn how to evaluate the overall structure. You can print a test copy of your poster in the size it will be displayed. This will help you see exactly how the font, size, and images look in real life. But for a digital poster, optimize your screen view to evaluate how it looks and edit accordingly.

If you find the placement of the icons wrong or the size of the font too small or too large, you can adjust them. Check for spacing between the visuals, and align them properly so that one element does not overlap the other.

8. Print and Share

Your poster looks great, now it’s time to share it with your audience.

To distribute in physical format, use a reputable printer, and consider the paper type. There are numerous options available. You’ve got to go for the one that improves the quality of your poster. A standard poster paper with adequate thickness works fine, but if you wish to add weight and shine, consider using the glossy one.

What about online?

You can share it on different social media platforms. To preserve the quality of the poster, export it in either JPG or PNG format. Additionally, you can decrease the file size (if needed). Tools like TinyPNG or Squoosh can help reduce the size for quick downloads without sacrificing quality.

Summing up: How to Design a Poster

Designing a poster is all about choosing the right colors, fonts, and layout to effectively communicate your message. It’s also crucial to choose the right tools that offer flexibility and ease of use.

But if you don’t want to get stuck with the same old templates. We’re here to help! We can design custom, eye-catching posters for your brand. Just sign up and get your first draft back within 24 hours.