Avoid fonts that mimic hand writing or are difficult to read. Arial or Times New Roman are usually a good choice. Use the chosen font throughout your poster: don't mix up different fonts on your poster text.

To facilitate reading, double-line space and justify all the text. The shorter and the simpler the sentences are, the easier your poster will be to read.

Important parts of the text may be highlighted using different colors. Major colors that are easily readable are:

• Black on white (or a cream colored background)
• Red on white (or a cream colored background)
• Green on white (or a cream colored background)
• Blue on white (or a cream colored background)

Subtitles 

Allocate a specific color to the subtitles within the poster so that they will be better distinguished from the text.

Figures

• All figures should include brief captions/legends. It is sometimes advisable to show on the figure what is the most important using an arrow, bubble or label.
• Use the same font throughout your poster (in both the text and graphics). Tables are preferable when data sets are small.
• Lines in graphics should be thin. Graphics should lean towards a horizontal format rather than vertical. Ensure that within graphics, the axes are properly labelled, including with units. Any symbols should be explained.
• Preference should be given to:
• Bar graphs or histograms for the comparison of two groups;
• Line graphs for the evolution of parameters;
• Pie-charts to represent a proportion within a whole.
• Use pictures or images of sufficiently high resolution in order to ensure good quality print. Be sure to use pictures without copyrights. Moreover, try to use images that are clear and of good color and contrast (not too dark, not too light). Photos may be used to illustrate the location of the study and or the tools used.

• Organise your poster with the starting point at the upper left corner and the ending part at the lower right corner.
• Reading may be facilitated by indicating each of the poster segments (apart from the title) with a large number. The differentiation between the different segments could be shown with lines, bars or appropriate spaces. (See example image.)

• Posters are first of all visual presentations. As such, it is good to keep in mind that graphs, charts, photos or tables are particularly eye-catching. It is often considered that around 50% of a poster should be dedicated to illustrations.
• To increase the proportion of figures in a poster a simple method would be to think first of what figures, tables, etc, would be used if you had to describe your work only with visuals. Remaining items and ideas not covered by figures can then be added using text.
• Keep in mind that many FIP congress attendants are not native English speakers, so it is wise to use simple and clear words. Avoid abbreviations as much as possible.