How to design a poster
- Pick a layout. “Modern poster”, “Event night” or “Bold sale” are good starting points.
- Write the headline first. A poster is read from several meters away. The headline should be readable from across the room — make it the largest element by far.
- Add the essentials. What, when, where — and how to get more information (website, phone or QR code image).
- Download. Choose PDF for printing or PNG for sharing online.
Poster sizes
The editor starts at 1800 × 2400 pixels (3:4), which prints well up to about 45 × 60 cm. For standard paper sizes, use Resize → custom size:
| Paper | At 150 DPI | At 300 DPI |
|---|---|---|
| A4 (21 × 29.7 cm) | 1240 × 1754 | 2480 × 3508 |
| A3 (29.7 × 42 cm) | 1754 × 2480 | 3508 × 4961 |
| Letter (8.5 × 11 in) | 1275 × 1650 | 2550 × 3300 |
| Tabloid (11 × 17 in) | 1650 × 2550 | 3300 × 5100 |
Posters seen from a distance look fine at 150 DPI. For small, close-up prints, use 300 DPI.
Poster design principles
- Hierarchy: headline → key detail (date/price) → everything else. If everything is big, nothing stands out.
- Contrast: strong color contrast between text and background, especially for posters on busy walls.
- White space: margins of at least 5% of the width keep text away from the trim edge.
- Limit fonts: one display font for the headline and one readable font for details.
- Shapes guide the eye: circles, bars and arrows from the Elements panel lead readers to the important information.
Printing tips
Download the PDF and send it to your print shop, or print at home with “Actual size” selected. Colors on paper look slightly darker than on screen, so avoid very dark text on dark backgrounds.
Frequently asked questions
Can I print posters made with Ontools?
Yes. Download the PDF and print it at home or send it to a print shop. For large prints, increase the canvas size in the Resize panel first.
What resolution should a poster be?
150 DPI is enough for posters viewed from a distance; 300 DPI for small prints viewed up close.
Is the poster maker free for commercial use?
Yes. Designs you create are yours. Just make sure any photos you add are ones you have the rights to use.