Poster Maker
Design a poster for a gig, a school project or your office wall. Pick a template, edit the text, shapes and images, and download a PNG or a PDF with the real paper size from A0 to A5, 18 × 24 in or 24 × 36 in.
Click to select · drag to move · corner handles resize · double-click text to edit it · Shift keeps proportions · Alt turns off centre snapping.
Layers (0)
How to use the Poster Maker
- Choose a template and a poster size, then set portrait or landscape.
- Click a text to edit it in the Selected element panel. Change the font, size, colour, outline and shadow.
- Add shapes, images and decorations from the toolbar above the canvas and drag them into place.
- Adjust the background with a solid colour, a gradient or your own image.
- Download the PDF for printing or a PNG for screens and social media.
Poster paper sizes
| Size | Millimetres | Inches | PDF points | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 × 1189 | 33.1 × 46.8 | 2383.94 × 3370.39 | Conference and research posters |
| A1 | 594 × 841 | 23.4 × 33.1 | 1683.78 × 2383.94 | Shop windows, event posters |
| A2 | 420 × 594 | 16.5 × 23.4 | 1190.55 × 1683.78 | Wall art, exhibition posters |
| A3 | 297 × 420 | 11.7 × 16.5 | 841.89 × 1190.55 | Noticeboards, small posters |
| A4 | 210 × 297 | 8.3 × 11.7 | 595.28 × 841.89 | Signs, home printing |
| A5 | 148 × 210 | 5.8 × 8.3 | 419.53 × 595.28 | Small signs, table cards |
| 18 × 24 in | 457 × 610 | 18 × 24 | 1296 × 1728 | US medium poster |
| 24 × 36 in | 610 × 914 | 24 × 36 | 1728 × 2592 | US large poster, movie-style |
All A sizes share the aspect ratio 1 : √2 (about 1 : 1.414); each size is exactly half of the one before it. That is why a design made for A3 can be printed on A2 or A1 without cropping. The US sizes have different shapes (3 : 4 and 2 : 3), so choose the size before you design.
How big should the text be?
A useful rule of thumb is about 1 inch (25 mm) of letter height for every 10 feet (3 m) of viewing distance. Measured as font size in points, that means:
- Headline on an A2–A0 poster seen from across a room: 150–300 pt or more.
- Subheadings: 60–120 pt.
- Details such as date, place and website, read from 1–2 m: at least 24–36 pt; for research posters, body text of 24 pt is a common minimum.
In this editor the font size is measured in the same points as the page, so a 72 pt line is 1 inch tall on the printed poster.
Resolution for large prints
For prints viewed close up, 300 dpi is ideal. Large posters are viewed from further away, so 100–150 dpi is usually enough. The PNG and PDF downloads are rendered at your chosen resolution up to about 40 megapixels; an A0 poster is therefore rendered at about 160 dpi, while A2 and smaller reach the full 300 dpi. If you add your own photos, use images with enough pixels: a photo filling half an A2 poster at 150 dpi needs about 2,500 × 1,750 pixels.
Design tips
- Use a clear hierarchy: one dominant headline, one supporting line, then the details.
- Leave empty space around the headline; crowded posters are skipped.
- Keep text at least 10 mm from the paper edge so it survives trimming and printer margins.
- Check contrast by viewing the preview small; if the headline is still readable, it will work on the wall.
Frequently asked questions
What sizes are A0 to A5 posters?
A0 is 841 × 1189 mm, A1 594 × 841 mm, A2 420 × 594 mm, A3 297 × 420 mm, A4 210 × 297 mm and A5 148 × 210 mm. Every A size has the same 1 : √2 shape, so a design scales cleanly between them.
Is the PDF really the right size for printing?
Yes. The PDF page is set to the exact size in PDF points (1/72 inch), for example 841.89 × 1190.55 points for A3, so a print shop or printer dialog recognises it as the correct paper size.
Why is the resolution capped for A0 and A1?
A 300 dpi A0 image would be about 140 megapixels, more than browsers can safely draw. Large sizes are capped at roughly 40 megapixels, which is still about 160 dpi on A0. Posters are viewed from a distance, so this looks sharp.
Which size should I choose for a school science fair?
Tri-fold boards are usually 36 × 48 in, but individual posters on them are often printed at A3, A2 or 18 × 24 in. Check your school’s rules and pick the matching size before you design, so text sizes stay readable.
Can I change a template completely?
Yes. Every element of a template is an ordinary object: you can edit, recolour, move, resize or delete it, and add your own text, images and shapes. Reset template brings the original layout back.
Do I need an account?
No. The poster maker runs entirely in your browser with no sign-up, and your images are never uploaded.