4-H Posters... What is the Judge Looking For?

We missed you at the poster workshop.  4-H posters provide an opportunity for members to communicate information about the 4-H project they are enrolled in. Keep in mind a good poster attracts attention, is simple and clear.  Here are a few tips to making posters with impact:

¨ Keep your poster simple, make your title short and catchy.

¨ Focus on what was the most important thing you learned from the project.

¨ Leave white space — uncluttered posters are easier to read.

¨ Avoid bright colored poster board (fluorescents)…they catch your eye but are hard to read.

¨ Use pictures.

¨ Vary your letter style – try using gummed letters, cutout letters, stencils, plastic letters, etc.

¨ Border – A 1 inch white space around the entire poster or a border of fabric, special patterned paper (try wall paper, scrapbook papers, wrapping paper), yarn/rope, etc, be creative!

¨ Message – viewer should be able to get the message in 5 to 10 seconds, and only one idea/message per poster.

¨ Check your spelling and then check it again!

¨ Erase all pencil lines, remove excess glue.

¨ Horizontal words are easier to read than vertical ones.

¨ Make sure your letters are large enough to be seen.

Þ ¼ inch lettering – viewing distance 8 feet.

Þ ½ inch lettering – view distance 16 feet.

Þ 1 inch lettering – viewing distance of 32 feet.

¨ Color of lettering should contrast with background…dark letters on light background easiest to read.

¨ Limit colors on poster to two or three colors.

¨ Good color combinations:

Þ Black on Yellow or Yellow on Back

Þ Green on White

Þ Blue on White or White on Blue

Þ White on Red/Orange or Black

Þ Red on Yellow

¨ Make a “sloppy copy” on plain white paper to sketch out your design