File Submission Guidelines

Due to the large number of orders being processed in a very short timeframe, files must be print ready. In addition to reviewing AGU Poster Requirements and Best Practices, please be sure to read the below guidelines carefully before uploading your file. Customers are responsible for file setup and contents.

General Guidelines

  • Posters should be laid out in landscape mode/position to properly fit the display boards and paper size selected. If file proportions are not an exact match to the paper size selected, we will max out the width or height to best fill the paper and trim accordingly. 
  • To avoid clipping, we recommend you place logos, boxes, images, and text at least 1 inch (or 2.54 cm) from the edge of the page.
  • Use CMYK color. We recommend converting spot colors and RGB elements to CMYK to avoid unexpected results.
  • Create files at actual size (full print size) with an image resolution of at least 300 dpi (dots per inch)
  • Follow the below instructions on accepted file types.

PDFs 

PDF is the preferred format for file submission.

  • Design your file in, or convert it to, CMYK mode.
  • Make sure the PDF has enough resolution to ensure good print quality - at least 300 dpi when built at full scale. Saving as a “High Quality Print” PDF is recommended. If built at a smaller scale, increasing to a higher resolution is recommended. 
  • If preparing your file in Adobe Illustrator, embed images and create outlines for all fonts.
  • If preparing your file in Microsoft PowerPointdetailed instructions on exporting your slide as a pdf can be found below. 

JPG/JPEG Files 

  • Create file at actual/full print size with a resolution of 300 dpi.
  • Use CMYK color mode. We recommend converting spot colors and RGB elements to CMYK to avoid unexpected results.
  • If preparing in Photoshop, flatten the image.

Microsoft PowerPoint

We do not accept PowerPoint files; however, you can export your slide from Power point as a PDF print file per the below instructions.

Note: Microsoft PowerPoint does not support CMYK. It only supports RGB imagery, which means it will look fine on the screen, but will not print the exact same color. Only use Microsoft PowerPoint for printing basic text and simple graphics where color matching is not a concern.

Exporting a Print File from PowerPoint (Windows):

  1. Open the PowerPoint file to be converted.
  2. Embed fonts
    1. Click the “File” tab, and then click “Options” (near the bottom left corner of the window)
    2. At the bottom, under “Preserve fidelity when sharing this presentation”, select the “Embed fonts in the file” check box.
    3. Click “OK”
  3. Click "File" then "Export."
  4. Click “Create PDF/XPS Document”, then click “Create PDF/XPS”.
  5. In the Publish as PDF or XPS dialog box, choose a location to save to.
  6. If you want it to have a different name, enter it in the File name box.
  7. At “Optimize for”, select “Standard” for higher quality printing
  8. Click “Options” to set the how the presentation will appear as a pdf, choose whether markup should be printed, and to select output options.
  9. To save the current slide only as a PDF, under “Range”, select “Current slide”.
  10. Click “OK” when finished.
  11. In the “Save as type list, ensure that “PDF” (*.pdf) is selected.
  12. If you want the file to open in the selected format after saving, select the “Open file after publishing” check box.
  13. Click “Publish”.

Exporting a Print File from PowerPoint (Mac):

  1. Open the PowerPoint file to be converted.
  2. Set the print quality
    1. Click the “PowerPoint” tab and select “Preferences”.
    2. In the dialog box, click “General”.
    3. Under “Print Quality” (Paper/PDF), set the Desired Quality to “High”.
  3. Embed fonts
    1. Go back to the dialog box, click “Save”.
    2. Under “Font Embedding”, select “Embed fonts in the file”.
  4. Close the dialog box.
  5. Click the “File” tab and select "Export..." from the dropdown.
  6. Choose the file name, destination, and change the file format to PDF. Then click “Export".