Presenters that do not have access to large-format printers should pay special attention to the instructions below.
You may arrange your poster any way you see fit, but I recommend that you try to minimize blocks of text and use illustrations for getting your points across. Keep in mind that colleagues will be referring to your subsequently written article or will want to read your typescript if you communicate your basic point. The informal discussion format of a poster session is deliberately structured to encourage dialogue rather than reading or oratory.
Personally, I have evolved toward 5-10 individual panels onto which I glue 8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14, or 11 x 17 inch sheets (or portions thereof) which contain from 10 to 50 words. As you know, a factoid is irresistible if it is short. Some panels are small (e.g., 3 x 9 inches or even smaller for labels). The individual panels can be easily positioned on the poster stand for logical progression, conceptual clarity, and artistic effect. This also keeps the package manageable for travel.
I use illustration board (heavier than poster board - it's about 1/16 inch thick). I use 3M Super 77 Spray adhesive to first glue onto the panels some sheets of colored paper which are slightly larger than the printed sheets but smaller than the illustration board panel. I then glue laser printer output onto the contrasting matte.
In general, titles between .5 and .75 inches high and text about .25 inches high capture the most attention, are more often read completely, and are more effective in communicating in a poster venue.
Text font size should be about 24 points, while headings could be 36 points, and the title could be around 72 points.
I have included sample text in Helvetica with point size for your perusal.
This size text can be easily read from a distance and this leading clearly separates lines of text 24
This is small text for a poster and should be used only for parenthetical information 14
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