LaTeX Research Posters

Overview

Research posters are a critical medium for scientific communication at conferences, symposia, and academic events. This skill provides comprehensive guidance for creating professional, visually appealing research posters using LaTeX packages. Generate publication-quality posters with proper layout, typography, color schemes, and visual hierarchy.

When to Use This Skill

This skill should be used when:

• Creating research posters for conferences, symposia, or poster sessions

• Designing academic posters for university events or thesis defenses

• Preparing visual summaries of research for public engagement

• Converting scientific papers into poster format

• Creating template posters for research groups or departments

• Designing posters that comply with specific conference size requirements (A0, A1, 36×48", etc.)

• Building posters with complex multi-column layouts

• Integrating figures, tables, equations, and citations in poster format

AI-Powered Visual Element Generation

STANDARD WORKFLOW: Generate ALL major visual elements using AI before creating the LaTeX poster.

This is the recommended approach for creating visually compelling posters:

• Plan all visual elements needed (title, intro, methods, results, conclusions)

• Generate each element using scientific-schematics or Nano Banana Pro

• Assemble generated images in the LaTeX template

• Add text content around the visuals

Target: 60-70% of poster area should be AI-generated visuals, 30-40% text.

CRITICAL: Preventing Content Overflow

⚠️ POSTERS MUST NOT HAVE TEXT OR CONTENT CUT OFF AT EDGES.

Common Overflow Problems:

• Title/footer text extending beyond page boundaries

• Too many sections crammed into available space

• Figures placed too close to edges

• Text blocks exceeding column widths

Prevention Rules:

1. Limit Content Sections (MAXIMUM 5-6 sections for A0):

✅ GOOD - 5 sections with room to breathe:

• Title/Header
• Introduction/Problem
• Methods
• Results (1-2 key findings)
• Conclusions

❌ BAD - 8+ sections crammed together:

• Overview, Introduction, Background, Methods,
• Results 1, Results 2, Discussion, Conclusions, Future Work

2. Set Safe Margins in LaTeX:

% tikzposter - add generous margins \documentclass[25pt, a0paper, portrait, margin=25mm]{tikzposter}

% baposter - ensure content doesn't touch edges \begin{poster}{ columns=3, colspacing=2em, % Space between columns headerheight=0.1\textheight, % Smaller header % Leave space at bottom }

3. Figure Sizing - Never 100% Width:

% Leave margins around figures \includegraphics[width=0.85\linewidth]{figure.png} % NOT 1.0\linewidth

4. Check for Overflow Before Printing:

Compile and check PDF at 100% zoom

pdflatex poster.tex

Look for:

- Text cut off at any edge

- Content touching page boundaries

- Overfull hbox warnings in .log file

grep -i "overfull" poster.log

5. Word Count Limits:

• A0 poster: 300-800 words MAXIMUM

• Per section: 50-100 words maximum

• If you have more content: Cut it or make a handout

CRITICAL: Poster-Size Font Requirements

⚠️ ALL text within AI-generated visualizations MUST be poster-readable.

When generating graphics for posters, you MUST include font size specifications in EVERY prompt. Poster graphics are viewed from 4-6 feet away, so text must be LARGE.

⚠️ COMMON PROBLEM: Content Overflow and Density

The #1 issue with AI-generated poster graphics is TOO MUCH CONTENT. This causes:

• Text overflow beyond boundaries

• Unreadable small fonts

• Cluttered, overwhelming visuals

• Poor white space usage

SOLUTION: Generate SIMPLE graphics with MINIMAL content.

MANDATORY prompt requirements for EVERY poster graphic:

POSTER FORMAT REQUIREMENTS (STRICTLY ENFORCE):

• ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM 3-4 elements per graphic (3 is ideal)
• ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM 10 words total in the entire graphic
• NO complex workflows with 5+ steps (split into 2-3 simple graphics instead)
• NO multi-level nested diagrams (flatten to single level)
• NO case studies with multiple sub-sections (one key point per case)
• ALL text GIANT BOLD (80pt+ for labels, 120pt+ for key numbers)
• High contrast ONLY (dark on white OR white on dark, NO gradients with text)
• MANDATORY 50% white space minimum (half the graphic should be empty)
• Thick lines only (5px+ minimum), large icons (200px+ minimum)
• ONE SINGLE MESSAGE per graphic (not 3 related messages)

⚠️ BEFORE GENERATING: Review your prompt and count elements

• If your description has 5+ items → STOP. Split into multiple graphics

• If your workflow has 5+ stages → STOP. Show only 3-4 high-level steps

• If your comparison has 4+ methods → STOP. Show only top 3 or Our vs Best Baseline

Content limits per graphic type (STRICT):

Graphic Type Max Elements Max Words Reject If Good Example

Flowchart 3-4 boxes MAX 8 words 5+ stages, nested steps "DISCOVER → VALIDATE → APPROVE" (3 words)

Key findings 3 items MAX 9 words 4+ metrics, paragraphs "95% ACCURATE" "2X FASTER" "FDA READY" (6 words)

Comparison chart 3 bars MAX 6 words 4+ methods, legend text "OURS: 95%" "BEST: 85%" (4 words)

Case study 1 case, 3 elements 6 words Multiple cases, substories Logo + "18 MONTHS" + "to discovery" (2 words)

Timeline 3-4 points MAX 8 words Year-by-year detail "2020 START" "2022 TRIAL" "2024 APPROVED" (6 words)

Example - WRONG (7-stage workflow - TOO COMPLEX):

❌ BAD - This creates tiny unreadable text like the drug discovery poster

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "Drug discovery workflow showing: Stage 1 Target Identification, Stage 2 Molecular Synthesis, Stage 3 Virtual Screening, Stage 4 AI Lead Optimization, Stage 5 Clinical Trial Design, Stage 6 FDA Approval. Include success metrics, timelines, and validation steps for each stage." -o figures/workflow.png

Result: 7+ stages with tiny text, unreadable from 6 feet - POSTER FAILURE

Example - CORRECT (simplified to 3 key stages):

✅ GOOD - Same content, split into ONE simple high-level graphic

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ULTRA-SIMPLE 3-box workflow: 'DISCOVER' → 'VALIDATE' → 'APPROVE'. Each word in GIANT bold (120pt+). Thick arrows (10px). 60% white space. NO substeps, NO details. 3 words total. Readable from 10 feet." -o figures/workflow_overview.png

Result: Clean, impactful, readable - can add detail graphics separately if needed

Example - WRONG (complex case studies with multiple sections):

❌ BAD - Creates cramped unreadable sections

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "Case studies: Insilico Medicine (drug candidate, discovery time, clinical trials), Recursion Pharma (platform, methodology, results), Exscientia (drug candidates, FDA status, timeline). Include company logos, metrics, and outcomes." -o figures/cases.png

Result: 3 case studies with 4+ elements each = 12+ total elements, tiny text

Example - CORRECT (one case study, one key metric):

✅ GOOD - Show ONE case with ONE key number

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ONE case study card: Company logo (large), '18 MONTHS' in GIANT text (150pt), 'to discovery' below (60pt). 3 elements total: logo + number + caption. 50% white space. Readable from 10 feet." -o figures/case_single.png

Result: Clear, readable, impactful. Make 3 separate graphics if you need 3 cases.

Example - WRONG (key findings too complex):

BAD - too many items, too much detail

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "Key findings showing 8 metrics: accuracy 95%, precision 92%, recall 94%, F1 0.93, AUC 0.97, training time 2.3 hours, inference 50ms, model size 145MB with comparison to 5 baseline methods" -o figures/findings.png

Result: Cramped graphic with tiny numbers

Example - CORRECT (key findings simple):

GOOD - only 3 key items, giant numbers

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. KEY FINDINGS with ONLY 3 large cards. Card 1: '95%' in GIANT text (120pt) with 'ACCURACY' below (48pt). Card 2: '2X' in GIANT text with 'FASTER' below. Card 3: checkmark icon with 'VALIDATED' in large text. 50% white space. High contrast colors. NO other text or details." -o figures/findings.png

Result: Bold, readable impact statement

Font size reference for poster prompts:

Element Minimum Size Prompt Keywords

Main numbers/metrics 72pt+ "huge", "very large", "giant", "poster-size"

Section titles 60pt+ "large bold", "prominent"

Labels/captions 36pt+ "readable from 6 feet", "clear labels"

Body text 24pt+ "poster-readable", "large text"

Always include in prompts:

• "POSTER FORMAT" or "for A0 poster" or "readable from 6 feet"

• "VERY LARGE TEXT" or "huge bold fonts"

• Specific text that should appear (so it's baked into the image)

• "minimal text, maximum impact"

• "high contrast" for readability

• "generous margins" and "no text near edges"

CRITICAL: AI-Generated Graphic Sizing

⚠️ Each AI-generated graphic should focus on ONE concept with MINIMAL content.

Problem: Generating complex diagrams with many elements leads to small text.

Solution: Generate SIMPLE graphics with FEW elements and LARGE text.

Example - WRONG (too complex, text will be small):

BAD - too many elements in one graphic

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "Complete ML pipeline showing data collection, preprocessing with 5 steps, feature engineering with 8 techniques, model training with hyperparameter tuning, validation with cross-validation, and deployment with monitoring. Include all labels and descriptions." -o figures/pipeline.png

Example - CORRECT (simple, focused, large text):

GOOD - split into multiple simple graphics with large text

Graphic 1: High-level overview (3-4 elements max)

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0: Simple 4-step pipeline. Four large boxes: DATA → PROCESS → MODEL → RESULTS. GIANT labels (80pt+), thick arrows, lots of white space. Only 4 words total. Readable from 8 feet." -o figures/overview.png

Graphic 2: Key result (1 metric highlighted)

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0: Single key metric display. Giant '95%' text (150pt+) with 'ACCURACY' below (60pt+). Checkmark icon. Minimal design, high contrast. Readable from 10 feet." -o figures/accuracy.png

Rules for AI-generated poster graphics:

Rule Limit Reason

Elements per graphic 3-5 maximum More elements = smaller text

Words per graphic 10-15 maximum Minimal text = larger fonts

Flowchart steps 4-5 maximum Keeps labels readable

Chart categories 3-4 maximum Prevents crowding

Nested levels 1-2 maximum Avoids complexity

Split complex content into multiple simple graphics:

Instead of 1 complex diagram with 12 elements: → Create 3 simple diagrams with 4 elements each → Each graphic can have LARGER text → Arrange in poster with clear visual flow

Step 0: MANDATORY Pre-Generation Review (DO THIS FIRST)

⚠️ BEFORE generating ANY graphics, review your content plan:

For EACH planned graphic, ask these questions:

Element count: Can I describe this in 3-4 items or less?

• ❌ NO → Simplify or split into multiple graphics

• ✅ YES → Continue

Complexity check: Is this a multi-stage workflow (5+ steps) or nested diagram?

• ❌ YES → Flatten to 3-4 high-level steps only

• ✅ NO → Continue

Word count: Can I describe all text in 10 words or less?

• ❌ NO → Cut text, use single-word labels

• ✅ YES → Continue

Message clarity: Does this graphic convey ONE clear message?

• ❌ NO → Split into multiple focused graphics

• ✅ YES → Continue to generation

Common patterns that ALWAYS fail (reject these):

• "Show stages 1 through 7..." → Split into high-level overview (3 stages) + detail graphics

• "Multiple case studies..." → One case per graphic

• "Timeline from 2015 to 2024 with annual milestones..." → Show only 3-4 key years

• "Comparison of 6 methods..." → Show only top 3 or Our method vs Best baseline

• "Architecture with all layers and connections..." → High-level only (3-4 components)

Step 1: Plan Your Poster Elements

After passing the pre-generation review, identify visual elements needed:

• Title Block - Stylized title with institutional branding (optional - can be LaTeX text)

• Introduction Graphic - Conceptual overview (3 elements max)

• Methods Diagram - High-level workflow (3-4 steps max)

• Results Figures - Key findings (3 metrics max per figure, may need 2-3 separate figures)

• Conclusion Graphic - Summary visual (3 takeaways max)

• Supplementary Icons - Simple icons, QR codes, logos (minimal)

Step 2: Generate Each Element (After Pre-Generation Review)

⚠️ CRITICAL: Review Step 0 checklist before proceeding.

Use the appropriate tool for each element type:

For Schematics and Diagrams (scientific-schematics):

Create figures directory

mkdir -p figures

Drug discovery workflow - HIGH-LEVEL ONLY, 3 stages

BAD: "Stage 1: Target ID, Stage 2: Molecular Synthesis, Stage 3: Virtual Screening, Stage 4: AI Lead Opt..."

GOOD: Collapse to 3 mega-stages

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ULTRA-SIMPLE 3-box workflow: 'DISCOVER' (120pt bold) → 'VALIDATE' (120pt bold) → 'APPROVE' (120pt bold). Thick arrows (10px). 60% white space. ONLY these 3 words. NO substeps. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/workflow_simple.png

System architecture - MAXIMUM 3 components

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ULTRA-SIMPLE 3-component stack: 'DATA' box (120pt) → 'AI MODEL' box (120pt) → 'PREDICTION' box (120pt). Thick vertical arrows. 60% white space. 3 words only. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/architecture.png

Timeline - ONLY 3 key milestones (not year-by-year)

BAD: "2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 with events"

GOOD: Only 3 breakthrough moments

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. Timeline with ONLY 3 points: '2018' + icon, '2021' + icon, '2024' + icon. GIANT years (120pt). Large icons. 60% white space. NO connecting lines or details. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/timeline.png

Case study - ONE case, ONE key metric

BAD: "3 case studies: Insilico (details), Recursion (details), Exscientia (details)"

GOOD: ONE case with ONE number

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ONE case study: Large logo + '18 MONTHS' (150pt bold) + 'to discovery' (60pt). 3 elements total. 60% white space. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/case1.png

If you need 3 cases → make 3 separate simple graphics (not one complex graphic)

For Stylized Blocks and Graphics (Nano Banana Pro):

Title block - SIMPLE

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. Title block: 'ML FOR DRUG DISCOVERY' in HUGE bold text (120pt+). Dark blue background. ONE subtle icon. NO other text. 40% white space. Readable from 15 feet." -o figures/title_block.png

Introduction visual - SIMPLE, 3 elements only

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE problem visual with ONLY 3 icons: drug icon, arrow, target icon. ONE label per icon (80pt+). 50% white space. NO detailed text. Readable from 8 feet." -o figures/intro_visual.png

Conclusion/summary - ONLY 3 items, GIANT numbers

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. KEY FINDINGS with EXACTLY 3 cards only. Card 1: '95%' (150pt font) with 'ACCURACY' (60pt). Card 2: '2X' (150pt) with 'FASTER' (60pt). Card 3: checkmark icon with 'READY' (60pt). 50% white space. NO other text. Readable from 10 feet." -o figures/conclusions_graphic.png

Background visual - SIMPLE, 3 icons only

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE visual with ONLY 3 large icons in a row: problem icon → challenge icon → impact icon. ONE word label each (80pt+). 50% white space. NO detailed text. Readable from 8 feet." -o figures/background_visual.png

For Data Visualizations - SIMPLE, 3 bars max:

SIMPLE chart with ONLY 3 bars, GIANT labels

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE bar chart with ONLY 3 bars: BASELINE (70%), EXISTING (85%), OURS (95%). GIANT percentage labels ON the bars (100pt+). NO axis labels, NO legend, NO gridlines. Our bar highlighted in different color. 40% white space. Readable from 8 feet." -o figures/comparison_chart.png

Step 2b: MANDATORY Post-Generation Review (Before Assembly)

⚠️ CRITICAL: Review EVERY generated graphic before adding to poster.

For each generated figure, open at 25% zoom and check:

✅ PASS criteria (all must be true):

• Can read ALL text clearly at 25% zoom

• Count elements: 3-4 or fewer

• White space: 50%+ of image is empty

• Simple enough to understand in 2 seconds

• NOT a complex workflow with 5+ stages

• NOT multiple nested sections

❌ FAIL criteria (regenerate if ANY are true):

• Text is small or hard to read at 25% zoom → REGENERATE with "150pt+" fonts

• More than 4 elements → REGENERATE with "ONLY 3 elements"

• Less than 50% white space → REGENERATE with "60% white space"

• Complex multi-stage workflow → SPLIT into 2-3 simple graphics

• Multiple case studies cramped together → SPLIT into separate graphics

• Takes more than 3 seconds to understand → SIMPLIFY and regenerate

Common failures and fixes:

• "7-stage workflow with tiny text" → Regenerate as "3 high-level stages only"

• "3 case studies in one graphic" → Generate 3 separate simple graphics

• "Timeline with 8 years" → Regenerate with "ONLY 3 key milestones"

• "Comparison of 5 methods" → Regenerate with "ONLY Our method vs Best baseline (2 bars)"

DO NOT PROCEED to assembly if ANY graphic fails the checks above.

Step 3: Assemble in LaTeX Template

After all figures pass the post-generation review, include them in your poster template:

tikzposter example:

\documentclass[25pt, a0paper, portrait]{tikzposter}

\begin{document}

\maketitle

\begin{columns} \column{0.5}

\block{Introduction}{ \centering \includegraphics[width=0.85\linewidth]{figures/intro_visual.png}

\vspace{0.5em} Brief context text here (2-3 sentences max). }

\block{Methods}{ \centering \includegraphics[width=0.9\linewidth]{figures/methods_flowchart.png} }

\column{0.5}

\block{Results}{ \begin{minipage}{0.48\linewidth} \centering \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{figures/result_1.png} \end{minipage} \hfill \begin{minipage}{0.48\linewidth} \centering \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{figures/result_2.png} \end{minipage}

\vspace{0.5em} Key findings in 3-4 bullet points. }

\block{Conclusions}{ \centering \includegraphics[width=0.8\linewidth]{figures/conclusions_graphic.png} }

\end{columns}

\end{document}

baposter example:

\headerbox{Methods}{name=methods,column=0,row=0}{ \centering \includegraphics[width=0.95\linewidth]{figures/methods_flowchart.png} }

\headerbox{Results}{name=results,column=1,row=0}{ \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{figures/comparison_chart.png} \vspace{0.3em}

Key finding: Our method achieves 92% accuracy. }

Example: Complete Poster Generation Workflow

Full workflow with ALL quality checks:

STEP 0: Pre-Generation Review (MANDATORY)

Content plan: Drug discovery poster

- Workflow: 7 stages → ❌ TOO MANY → Reduce to 3 mega-stages ✅

- 3 case studies → ❌ TOO MANY → One case per graphic (make 3 graphics) ✅

- Timeline 2018-2024 → ❌ TOO DETAILED → Only 3 key years ✅

STEP 1: Create figures directory

mkdir -p figures

STEP 2: Generate ULTRA-SIMPLE graphics with strict limits

Workflow - HIGH-LEVEL ONLY (collapsed from 7 stages to 3)

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ULTRA-SIMPLE 3-box workflow: 'DISCOVER' → 'VALIDATE' → 'APPROVE'. Each word 120pt+ bold. Thick arrows (10px). 60% white space. ONLY 3 words total. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/workflow.png

Case study 1 - ONE case, ONE metric (will make 3 separate graphics)

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ONE case: Company logo + '18 MONTHS' (150pt bold) + 'to drug discovery' (60pt). 3 elements only. 60% white space. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/case1.png

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ONE case: Company logo + '95% SUCCESS' (150pt bold) + 'in trials' (60pt). 3 elements only. 60% white space." -o figures/case2.png

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ONE case: Company logo + 'FDA APPROVED' (150pt bold) + '2024' (60pt). 3 elements only. 60% white space." -o figures/case3.png

Timeline - ONLY 3 key years (not 7 years)

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. ONLY 3 years: '2018' (150pt) + icon, '2021' (150pt) + icon, '2024' (150pt) + icon. Large icons. 60% white space. NO lines or details. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/timeline.png

Results - ONLY 2 bars (our method vs best baseline, not 5 methods)

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. TWO bars only: 'BASELINE 70%' and 'OURS 95%' (highlighted). GIANT percentages (150pt) ON bars. NO axis, NO legend. 60% white space. Readable from 12 feet." -o figures/results.png

STEP 2b: Post-Generation Review (MANDATORY)

Open each figure at 25% zoom:

✅ workflow.png: 3 elements, text readable, 60% white - PASS

✅ case1.png: 3 elements, giant numbers, clean - PASS

✅ case2.png: 3 elements, giant numbers, clean - PASS

✅ case3.png: 3 elements, giant numbers, clean - PASS

✅ timeline.png: 3 elements, readable, simple - PASS

✅ results.png: 2 bars, giant percentages, clear - PASS

ALL PASS → Proceed to assembly

STEP 3: Compile LaTeX poster

pdflatex poster.tex

STEP 4: PDF Overflow Check (see Section 11)

grep "Overfull" poster.log

Open at 100% and check all 4 edges

If ANY graphic fails Step 2b review:

• Too many elements → Regenerate with "ONLY 3 elements"

• Small text → Regenerate with "150pt+" or "GIANT BOLD (150pt+)"

• Cluttered → Regenerate with "60% white space" and "ULTRA-SIMPLE"

• Complex workflow → SPLIT into multiple simple 3-element graphics

Visual Element Guidelines

⚠️ CRITICAL: Each graphic must have ONE message and MAXIMUM 3-4 elements.

ABSOLUTE LIMITS - These are NOT guidelines, these are HARD LIMITS:

• MAXIMUM 3-4 elements per graphic (3 is ideal)

• MAXIMUM 10 words total per graphic

• MINIMUM 50% white space (60% is better)

• MINIMUM 120pt for key numbers/metrics

• MINIMUM 80pt for labels

For each poster section - STRICT requirements:

Section Max Elements Max Words Example Prompt (REQUIRED PATTERN)

Introduction 3 icons 6 words "POSTER FORMAT for A0: ULTRA-SIMPLE 3 icons: [icon1] [icon2] [icon3]. ONE WORD labels (100pt bold). 60% white space. 3 words total."

Methods 3 boxes 6 words "POSTER FORMAT for A0: ULTRA-SIMPLE 3-box workflow: 'STEP1' → 'STEP2' → 'STEP3'. GIANT labels (120pt+). 60% white space. 3 words only."

Results 2-3 bars 6 words "POSTER FORMAT for A0: TWO bars: 'BASELINE 70%' 'OURS 95%'. GIANT percentages (150pt+) ON bars. NO axis. 60% white space."

Conclusions 3 cards 9 words "POSTER FORMAT for A0: THREE cards: '95%' (150pt) 'ACCURATE', '2X' (150pt) 'FASTER', checkmark 'READY'. 60% white space."

Case Study 3 elements 5 words "POSTER FORMAT for A0: ONE case: logo + '18 MONTHS' (150pt) + 'to discovery' (60pt). 60% white space."

Timeline 3 points 3 words "POSTER FORMAT for A0: THREE years only: '2018' '2021' '2024' (150pt each). Large icons. 60% white space. NO details."

MANDATORY prompt elements (ALL required, NO exceptions):

• "POSTER FORMAT for A0" - MUST be first

• "ULTRA-SIMPLE" or "ONLY X elements" - content limit

• "GIANT (120pt+)" or specific font sizes - readability

• "60% white space" - mandatory breathing room

• "readable from 10-12 feet" - viewing distance

• Exact count of words/elements - "3 words total" or "ONLY 3 icons"

PATTERNS THAT ALWAYS FAIL (REJECT IMMEDIATELY):

• ❌ "7-stage drug discovery workflow" → Split to "3 mega-stages"

• ❌ "Timeline from 2015-2024 with annual updates" → "ONLY 3 key years"

• ❌ "3 case studies with details" → Make 3 separate simple graphics

• ❌ "Comparison of 5 methods with metrics" → "ONLY 2: ours vs best"

• ❌ "Complete architecture showing all layers" → "3 components only"

• ❌ "Show stages 1,2,3,4,5,6" → "3 high-level stages"

PATTERNS THAT WORK:

• ✅ "3 mega-stages collapsed from 7" → Proper simplification

• ✅ "ONE case with ONE metric" → Will make multiple if needed

• ✅ "ONLY 3 milestones" → Selective, focused

• ✅ "2 bars: ours vs baseline" → Direct comparison

• ✅ "3-component high-level view" → Appropriately simplified

Scientific Schematics Integration

For detailed guidance on creating schematics, refer to the scientific-schematics skill documentation.

Key capabilities:

• Nano Banana Pro automatically generates, reviews, and refines diagrams

• Creates publication-quality images with proper formatting

• Ensures accessibility (colorblind-friendly, high contrast)

• Supports iterative refinement for complex diagrams

Core Capabilities

1. LaTeX Poster Packages

Support for three major LaTeX poster packages, each with distinct advantages. For detailed comparison and package-specific guidance, refer to references/latex_poster_packages.md .

beamerposter:

• Extension of the Beamer presentation class

• Familiar syntax for Beamer users

• Excellent theme support and customization

• Best for: Traditional academic posters, institutional branding

tikzposter:

• Modern, flexible design with TikZ integration

• Built-in color themes and layout templates

• Extensive customization through TikZ commands

• Best for: Colorful, modern designs, custom graphics

baposter:

• Box-based layout system

• Automatic spacing and positioning

• Professional-looking default styles

• Best for: Multi-column layouts, consistent spacing

2. Poster Layout and Structure

Create effective poster layouts following visual communication principles. For comprehensive layout guidance, refer to references/poster_layout_design.md .

Common Poster Sections:

• Header/Title: Title, authors, affiliations, logos

• Introduction/Background: Research context and motivation

• Methods/Approach: Methodology and experimental design

• Results: Key findings with figures and data visualizations

• Conclusions: Main takeaways and implications

• References: Key citations (typically abbreviated)

• Acknowledgments: Funding, collaborators, institutions

Layout Strategies:

• Column-based layouts: 2-column, 3-column, or 4-column grids

• Block-based layouts: Flexible arrangement of content blocks

• Z-pattern flow: Guide readers through content logically

• Visual hierarchy: Use size, color, and spacing to emphasize key points

3. Design Principles for Research Posters

Apply evidence-based design principles for maximum impact. For detailed design guidance, refer to references/poster_design_principles.md .

Typography:

• Title: 72-120pt for visibility from distance

• Section headers: 48-72pt

• Body text: 24-36pt minimum for readability from 4-6 feet

• Use sans-serif fonts (Arial, Helvetica, Calibri) for clarity

• Limit to 2-3 font families maximum

Color and Contrast:

• Use high-contrast color schemes for readability

• Institutional color palettes for branding

• Color-blind friendly palettes (avoid red-green combinations)

• White space is active space—don't overcrowd

Visual Elements:

• High-resolution figures (300 DPI minimum for print)

• Large, clear labels on all figures

• Consistent figure styling throughout

• Strategic use of icons and graphics

• Balance text with visual content (40-50% visual recommended)

Content Guidelines:

• Less is more: 300-800 words total recommended

• Bullet points over paragraphs for scannability

• Clear, concise messaging

• Self-explanatory figures with minimal text explanation

• QR codes for supplementary materials or online resources

4. Standard Poster Sizes

Support for international and conference-specific poster dimensions:

International Standards:

• A0 (841 × 1189 mm / 33.1 × 46.8 inches) - Most common European standard

• A1 (594 × 841 mm / 23.4 × 33.1 inches) - Smaller format

• A2 (420 × 594 mm / 16.5 × 23.4 inches) - Compact posters

North American Standards:

• 36 × 48 inches (914 × 1219 mm) - Common US conference size

• 42 × 56 inches (1067 × 1422 mm) - Large format

• 48 × 72 inches (1219 × 1829 mm) - Extra large

Orientation:

• Portrait (vertical) - Most common, traditional

• Landscape (horizontal) - Better for wide content, timelines

5. Package-Specific Templates

Provide ready-to-use templates for each major package. Templates available in assets/ directory.

beamerposter Templates:

• beamerposter_classic.tex

• Traditional academic style

• beamerposter_modern.tex

• Clean, minimal design

• beamerposter_colorful.tex

• Vibrant theme with blocks

tikzposter Templates:

• tikzposter_default.tex

• Standard tikzposter layout

• tikzposter_rays.tex

• Modern design with ray theme

• tikzposter_wave.tex

• Professional wave-style theme

baposter Templates:

• baposter_portrait.tex

• Classic portrait layout

• baposter_landscape.tex

• Landscape multi-column

• baposter_minimal.tex

• Minimalist design

6. Figure and Image Integration

Optimize visual content for poster presentations:

Best Practices:

• Use vector graphics (PDF, SVG) when possible for scalability

• Raster images: minimum 300 DPI at final print size

• Consistent image styling (borders, captions, sizes)

• Group related figures together

• Use subfigures for comparisons

LaTeX Figure Commands:

% Include graphics package \usepackage{graphicx}

% Simple figure \includegraphics[width=0.8\linewidth]{figure.pdf}

% Figure with caption in tikzposter \block{Results}{ \begin{tikzfigure} \includegraphics[width=0.9\linewidth]{results.png} \end{tikzfigure} }

% Multiple subfigures \usepackage{subcaption} \begin{figure} \begin{subfigure}{0.48\linewidth} \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{fig1.pdf} \caption{Condition A} \end{subfigure} \begin{subfigure}{0.48\linewidth} \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{fig2.pdf} \caption{Condition B} \end{subfigure} \end{figure}

7. Color Schemes and Themes

Provide professional color palettes for various contexts:

Academic Institution Colors:

• Match university or department branding

• Use official color codes (RGB, CMYK, or LaTeX color definitions)

Scientific Color Palettes (color-blind friendly):

• Viridis: Professional gradient from purple to yellow

• ColorBrewer: Research-tested palettes for data visualization

• IBM Color Blind Safe: Accessible corporate palette

Package-Specific Theme Selection:

beamerposter:

\usetheme{Berlin} \usecolortheme{beaver}

tikzposter:

\usetheme{Rays} \usecolorstyle{Denmark}

baposter:

\begin{poster}{ background=plain, bgColorOne=white, headerColorOne=blue!70, textborder=rounded }

8. Typography and Text Formatting

Ensure readability and visual appeal:

Font Selection:

% Sans-serif fonts recommended for posters \usepackage{helvet} % Helvetica \usepackage{avant} % Avant Garde \usepackage{sfmath} % Sans-serif math fonts

% Set default to sans-serif \renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}

Text Sizing:

% Adjust text sizes for visibility \setbeamerfont{title}{size=\VeryHuge} \setbeamerfont{author}{size=\Large} \setbeamerfont{institute}{size=\normalsize}

Emphasis and Highlighting:

• Use bold for key terms: \textbf{important}

• Color highlights sparingly: \textcolor{blue}{highlight}

• Boxes for critical information

• Avoid italics (harder to read from distance)

9. QR Codes and Interactive Elements

Enhance poster interactivity for modern conferences:

QR Code Integration:

\usepackage{qrcode}

% Link to paper, code repository, or supplementary materials \qrcode[height=2cm]{https://github.com/username/project}

% QR code with caption \begin{center} \qrcode[height=3cm]{https://doi.org/10.1234/paper}\\ \small Scan for full paper \end{center}

Digital Enhancements:

• Link to GitHub repositories for code

• Link to video presentations or demos

• Link to interactive web visualizations

• Link to supplementary data or appendices

10. Compilation and Output

Generate high-quality PDF output for printing or digital display:

Compilation Commands:

Basic compilation

pdflatex poster.tex

With bibliography

pdflatex poster.tex bibtex poster pdflatex poster.tex pdflatex poster.tex

For beamer-based posters

lualatex poster.tex # Better font support xelatex poster.tex # Unicode and modern fonts

Ensuring Full Page Coverage:

Posters should use the entire page without excessive margins. Configure packages correctly:

beamerposter - Full Page Setup:

\documentclass[final,t]{beamer} \usepackage[size=a0,scale=1.4,orientation=portrait]{beamerposter}

% Remove default beamer margins \setbeamersize{text margin left=0mm, text margin right=0mm}

% Use geometry for precise control \usepackage[margin=10mm]{geometry} % 10mm margins all around

% Remove navigation symbols \setbeamertemplate{navigation symbols}{}

% Remove footline and headline if not needed \setbeamertemplate{footline}{} \setbeamertemplate{headline}{}

tikzposter - Full Page Setup:

\documentclass[ 25pt, % Font scaling a0paper, % Paper size portrait, % Orientation margin=10mm, % Outer margins (minimal) innermargin=15mm, % Space inside blocks blockverticalspace=15mm, % Space between blocks colspace=15mm, % Space between columns subcolspace=8mm % Space between subcolumns ]{tikzposter}

% This ensures content fills the page

baposter - Full Page Setup:

\documentclass[a0paper,portrait,fontscale=0.285]{baposter}

\begin{poster}{ grid=false, columns=3, colspacing=1.5em, % Space between columns eyecatcher=true, background=plain, bgColorOne=white, borderColor=blue!50, headerheight=0.12\textheight, % 12% for header textborder=roundedleft, headerborder=closed, boxheaderheight=2em % Consistent box header heights } % Content here \end{poster}

Common Issues and Fixes:

Problem: Large white margins around poster

% Fix for beamerposter \setbeamersize{text margin left=5mm, text margin right=5mm}

% Fix for tikzposter \documentclass[..., margin=5mm, innermargin=10mm]{tikzposter}

% Fix for baposter - adjust in document class \documentclass[a0paper, margin=5mm]{baposter}

Problem: Content doesn't fill vertical space

% Use \vfill between sections to distribute space \block{Introduction}{...} \vfill \block{Methods}{...} \vfill \block{Results}{...}

% Or manually adjust block spacing \vspace{1cm} % Add space between specific blocks

Problem: Poster extends beyond page boundaries

% Check total width calculation % For 3 columns with spacing: % Total = 3×columnwidth + 2×colspace + 2×margins % Ensure this equals \paperwidth

% Debug by adding visible page boundary \usepackage{eso-pic} \AddToShipoutPictureBG{ \AtPageLowerLeft{ \put(0,0){\framebox(\LenToUnit{\paperwidth},\LenToUnit{\paperheight}){}} } }

Print Preparation:

• Generate PDF/X-1a for professional printing

• Embed all fonts

• Convert colors to CMYK if required

• Check resolution of all images (minimum 300 DPI)

• Add bleed area if required by printer (usually 3-5mm)

• Verify page size matches requirements exactly

Digital Display:

• RGB color space for screen display

• Optimize file size for email/web

• Test readability on different screens

11. PDF Review and Quality Control

CRITICAL: Always review the generated PDF before printing or presenting. Use this systematic checklist:

Step 1: Page Size Verification

Check PDF dimensions (should match poster size exactly)

pdfinfo poster.pdf | grep "Page size"

Expected outputs:

A0: 2384 x 3370 points (841 x 1189 mm)

36x48": 2592 x 3456 points

A1: 1684 x 2384 points (594 x 841 mm)

Step 2: OVERFLOW CHECK (CRITICAL) - DO THIS IMMEDIATELY AFTER COMPILATION

⚠️ THIS IS THE #1 CAUSE OF POSTER FAILURES. Check BEFORE proceeding.

Step 2a: Check LaTeX Log File

Check for overflow warnings (these are ERRORS, not suggestions)

grep -i "overfull|underfull|badbox" poster.log

ANY "Overfull" warning = content is cut off or extending beyond boundaries

FIX ALL OF THESE before proceeding

Common overflow warnings and what they mean:

• Overfull \hbox (15.2pt too wide) → Text or graphic is 15.2pt wider than column

• Overfull \vbox (23.5pt too high) → Content is 23.5pt taller than available space

• Badbox → LaTeX struggling to fit content within boundaries

Step 2b: Visual Edge Inspection (100% zoom in PDF viewer)

Check ALL FOUR EDGES systematically:

TOP EDGE:

• Title completely visible (not cut off)

• Author names fully visible

• No graphics touching top margin

• Header content within safe zone

BOTTOM EDGE:

• References fully visible (not cut off)

• Acknowledgments complete

• Contact info readable

• No graphics cut off at bottom

LEFT EDGE:

• No text touching left margin

• All bullet points fully visible

• Graphics have left margin (not bleeding off)

• Column content within bounds

RIGHT EDGE:

• No text extending beyond right margin

• Graphics not cut off on right

• Column content stays within bounds

• QR codes fully visible

BETWEEN COLUMNS:

• Content stays within individual columns

• No text bleeding into adjacent columns

• Figures respect column boundaries

If ANY check fails, you have overflow. FIX IMMEDIATELY before continuing:

Fix hierarchy (try in order):

Check AI-generated graphics first:

• Are they too complex (5+ elements)? → Regenerate simpler

• Do they have tiny text? → Regenerate with "150pt+" fonts

• Are there too many? → Reduce number of figures

Reduce sections:

• More than 5-6 sections? → Combine or remove

• Example: Merge "Discussion" into "Conclusions"

Cut text content:

• More than 800 words total? → Cut to 300-500

• More than 100 words per section? → Cut to 50-80

Adjust figure sizing:

• Using width=\linewidth ? → Change to width=0.85\linewidth

• Using width=1.0\columnwidth ? → Change to width=0.9\columnwidth

Increase margins (last resort):

\documentclass[25pt, a0paper, portrait, margin=25mm]{tikzposter}

DO NOT proceed to Step 3 if ANY overflow exists.

Step 3: Visual Inspection Checklist

Open PDF at 100% zoom and check:

Layout and Spacing:

• Content fills entire page (no large white margins)

• Consistent spacing between columns

• Consistent spacing between blocks/sections

• All elements aligned properly (use ruler tool)

• No overlapping text or figures

• White space evenly distributed

Typography:

• Title clearly visible and large (72pt+)

• Section headers readable (48-72pt)

• Body text readable at 100% zoom (24-36pt minimum)

• No text cutoff or running off edges

• Consistent font usage throughout

• All special characters render correctly (symbols, Greek letters)

Visual Elements:

• All figures display correctly

• No pixelated or blurry images

• Figure captions present and readable

• Colors render as expected (not washed out or too dark)

• Logos display clearly

• QR codes visible and scannable

Content Completeness:

• Title and authors complete

• All sections present (Intro, Methods, Results, Conclusions)

• References included

• Contact information visible

• Acknowledgments (if applicable)

• No placeholder text remaining (Lorem ipsum, TODO, etc.)

Technical Quality:

• No LaTeX compilation warnings in important areas

• All citations resolved (no [?] marks)

• All cross-references working

• Page boundaries correct (no content cut off)

Step 4: Reduced-Scale Print Test

Essential Pre-Printing Test:

Create reduced-size test print (25% of final size)

This simulates viewing full poster from ~8-10 feet

For A0 poster, print on A4 paper (24.7% scale)

For 36x48" poster, print on letter paper (~25% scale)

Print Test Checklist:

• Title readable from 6 feet away

• Section headers readable from 4 feet away

• Body text readable from 2 feet away

• Figures clear and understandable

• Colors printed accurately

• No obvious design flaws

Step 5: Digital Quality Checks

Font Embedding Verification:

Check that all fonts are embedded (required for printing)

pdffonts poster.pdf

All fonts should show "yes" in "emb" column

If any show "no", recompile with:

pdflatex -dEmbedAllFonts=true poster.tex

Image Resolution Check:

Extract image information

pdfimages -list poster.pdf

Check that all images are at least 300 DPI

Formula: DPI = pixels / (inches in poster)

For A0 width (33.1"): 300 DPI = 9930 pixels minimum

File Size Optimization:

For email/web, compress if needed (>50MB)

gs -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -dCompatibilityLevel=1.4
-dPDFSETTINGS=/printer -dNOPAUSE -dQUIET -dBATCH
-sOutputFile=poster_compressed.pdf poster.pdf

For printing, keep original (no compression)

Step 6: Accessibility Check

Color Contrast Verification:

• Text-background contrast ratio ≥ 4.5:1 (WCAG AA)

• Important elements contrast ratio ≥ 7:1 (WCAG AAA)

• Test online: https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/

Color Blindness Simulation:

• View PDF through color blindness simulator

• Information not lost with red-green simulation

• Use Coblis (color-blindness.com) or similar tool

Step 7: Content Proofreading

Systematic Review:

• Spell-check all text

• Verify all author names and affiliations

• Check all numbers and statistics for accuracy

• Confirm all citations are correct

• Review figure labels and captions

• Check for typos in headers and titles

Peer Review:

• Ask colleague to review poster

• 30-second test: Can they identify main message?

• 5-minute review: Do they understand conclusions?

• Note any confusing elements

Step 8: Technical Validation

LaTeX Compilation Log Review:

Check for warnings in .log file

grep -i "warning|error|overfull|underfull" poster.log

Common issues to fix:

- Overfull hbox: Text extending beyond margins

- Underfull hbox: Excessive spacing

- Missing references: Citations not resolved

- Missing figures: Image files not found

Fix Common Warnings:

% Overfull hbox (text too wide) \usepackage{microtype} % Better spacing \sloppy % Allow slightly looser spacing \hyphenation{long-word} % Manual hyphenation

% Missing fonts \usepackage[T1]{fontenc} % Better font encoding

% Image not found % Ensure paths are correct and files exist \graphicspath{{./figures/}{./images/}}

Step 9: Final Pre-Print Checklist

Before Sending to Printer:

• PDF size exactly matches requirements (check with pdfinfo)

• All fonts embedded (check with pdffonts)

• Color mode correct (RGB for screen, CMYK for print if required)

• Bleed area added if required (usually 3-5mm)

• Crop marks visible if required

• Test print completed and reviewed

• File naming clear: [LastName]_[Conference]_Poster.pdf

• Backup copy saved

Printing Specifications to Confirm:

• Paper type (matte vs. glossy)

• Printing method (inkjet, large format, fabric)

• Color profile (provided to printer if required)

• Delivery deadline and shipping address

• Tube or flat packaging preference

Digital Presentation Checklist:

• PDF size optimized (<10MB for email)

• Tested on multiple PDF viewers (Adobe, Preview, etc.)

• Displays correctly on different screens

• QR codes tested and functional

• Alternative formats prepared (PNG for social media)

Review Script (Available in scripts/review_poster.sh ):

#!/bin/bash

Automated poster PDF review script

echo "Poster PDF Quality Check" echo "======================="

Check file exists

if [ ! -f "$1" ]; then echo "Error: File not found" exit 1 fi

echo "File: $1" echo ""

Check page size

echo "1. Page Dimensions:" pdfinfo "$1" | grep "Page size" echo ""

Check fonts

echo "2. Font Embedding:" pdffonts "$1" | head -20 echo ""

Check file size

echo "3. File Size:" ls -lh "$1" | awk '{print $5}' echo ""

Count pages (should be 1 for poster)

echo "4. Page Count:" pdfinfo "$1" | grep "Pages" echo ""

echo "Manual checks required:" echo "- Visual inspection at 100% zoom" echo "- Reduced-scale print test (25%)" echo "- Color contrast verification" echo "- Proofreading for typos"

Common PDF Issues and Solutions:

Issue Cause Solution

Large white margins Incorrect margin settings Reduce margin in documentclass

Content cut off Exceeds page boundaries Check total width/height calculations

Blurry images Low resolution (<300 DPI) Replace with higher resolution images

Missing fonts Fonts not embedded Compile with -dEmbedAllFonts=true

Wrong page size Incorrect paper size setting Verify documentclass paper size

Colors look wrong RGB vs CMYK mismatch Convert color space for print

File too large (>50MB) Uncompressed images Optimize images or compress PDF

QR codes don't work Too small or low resolution Minimum 2×2cm, high contrast

11. Common Poster Content Patterns

Effective content organization for different research types:

Experimental Research Poster:

• Title and authors

• Introduction: Problem and hypothesis

• Methods: Experimental design (with diagram)

• Results: Key findings (2-4 main figures)

• Conclusions: Main takeaways (3-5 bullet points)

• Future work (optional)

• References and acknowledgments

Computational/Modeling Poster:

• Title and authors

• Motivation: Problem statement

• Approach: Algorithm or model (with flowchart)

• Implementation: Technical details

• Results: Performance metrics and comparisons

• Applications: Use cases

• Code availability (QR code to GitHub)

• References

Review/Survey Poster:

• Title and authors

• Scope: Topic overview

• Methods: Literature search strategy

• Key findings: Main themes (organized by category)

• Trends: Visualizations of publication patterns

• Gaps: Identified research needs

• Conclusions: Summary and implications

• References

12. Accessibility and Inclusive Design

Design posters that are accessible to diverse audiences:

Color Blindness Considerations:

• Avoid red-green combinations (most common color blindness)

• Use patterns or shapes in addition to color

• Test with color-blindness simulators

• Provide high contrast (WCAG AA standard: 4.5:1 minimum)

Visual Impairment Accommodations:

• Large, clear fonts (minimum 24pt body text)

• High contrast text and background

• Clear visual hierarchy

• Avoid complex textures or patterns in backgrounds

Language and Content:

• Clear, concise language

• Define acronyms and jargon

• International audience considerations

• Consider multilingual QR code options for global conferences

13. Poster Presentation Best Practices

Guidance beyond LaTeX for effective poster sessions:

Content Strategy:

• Tell a story, don't just list facts

• Focus on 1-3 main messages

• Use visual abstract or graphical summary

• Leave room for conversation (don't over-explain)

Physical Presentation Tips:

• Bring printed handouts or business cards with QR code

• Prepare 30-second, 2-minute, and 5-minute verbal summaries

• Stand to the side, not blocking the poster

• Engage viewers with open-ended questions

Digital Backups:

• Save poster as PDF on mobile device

• Prepare digital version for email sharing

• Create social media-friendly image version

• Have backup printed copy or digital display option

Workflow for Poster Creation

Stage 1: Planning and Content Development

Determine poster requirements:

• Conference size specifications (A0, 36×48", etc.)

• Orientation (portrait vs. landscape)

• Submission deadlines and format requirements

Develop content outline:

• Identify 1-3 core messages

• Select key figures (typically 3-6 main visuals)

• Draft concise text for each section (bullet points preferred)

• Aim for 300-800 words total

Choose LaTeX package:

• beamerposter: If familiar with Beamer, need institutional themes

• tikzposter: For modern, colorful designs with flexibility

• baposter: For structured, professional multi-column layouts

Stage 2: Generate Visual Elements (AI-Powered)

CRITICAL: Generate SIMPLE figures with MINIMAL content. Each graphic = ONE message.

Content limits:

• Maximum 4-5 elements per graphic

• Maximum 15 words total per graphic

• 50% white space minimum

• GIANT fonts (80pt+ for labels, 120pt+ for key numbers)

Create figures directory:

mkdir -p figures

Generate SIMPLE visual elements:

Introduction - ONLY 3 icons/elements

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE visual with ONLY 3 elements: [icon1] [icon2] [icon3]. ONE word labels (80pt+). 50% white space. Readable from 8 feet." -o figures/intro.png

Methods - ONLY 4 steps maximum

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE flowchart with ONLY 4 boxes: STEP1 → STEP2 → STEP3 → STEP4. GIANT labels (100pt+). 50% white space. NO sub-steps." -o figures/methods.png

Results - ONLY 3 bars/comparisons

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. SIMPLE chart with ONLY 3 bars. GIANT percentages ON bars (120pt+). NO axis, NO legend. 50% white space." -o figures/results.png

Conclusions - EXACTLY 3 items with GIANT numbers

python scripts/generate_schematic.py "POSTER FORMAT for A0. EXACTLY 3 key findings: '[NUMBER]' (150pt) '[LABEL]' (60pt) for each. 50% white space. NO other text." -o figures/conclusions.png

Review generated figures - check for overflow:

• View at 25% zoom: All text still readable?

• Count elements: More than 5? → Regenerate simpler

• Check white space: Less than 40%? → Add "60% white space" to prompt

• Font too small?: Add "EVEN LARGER" or increase pt sizes

• Still overflowing?: Reduce to 3 elements instead of 4-5

Stage 3: Design and Layout

Select or create template:

• Start with provided templates in assets/

• Customize color scheme to match branding

• Configure page size and orientation

Design layout structure:

• Plan column structure (2, 3, or 4 columns)

• Map content flow (typically left-to-right, top-to-bottom)

• Allocate space for title (10-15%), content (70-80%), footer (5-10%)

Set typography:

• Configure font sizes for different hierarchy levels

• Ensure minimum 24pt body text

• Test readability from 4-6 feet distance

Stage 4: Content Integration

Create poster header:

• Title (concise, descriptive, 10-15 words)

• Authors and affiliations

• Institution logos (high-resolution)

• Conference logo if required

Integrate AI-generated figures:

• Add all figures from Stage 2 to appropriate sections

• Use \includegraphics with proper sizing

• Ensure figures dominate each section (visuals first, text second)

• Center figures within blocks for visual impact

Add minimal supporting text:

• Keep text minimal and scannable (300-800 words total)

• Use bullet points, not paragraphs

• Write in active voice

• Text should complement figures, not duplicate them

Add supplementary elements:

• QR codes for supplementary materials

• References (cite key papers only, 5-10 typical)

• Contact information and acknowledgments

Stage 5: Refinement and Testing

Review and iterate:

• Check for typos and errors

• Verify all figures are high resolution

• Ensure consistent formatting

• Confirm color scheme works well together

Test readability:

• Print at 25% scale and read from 2-3 feet (simulates poster from 8-12 feet)

• Check color on different monitors

• Verify QR codes function correctly

• Ask colleague to review

Optimize for printing:

• Embed all fonts in PDF

• Verify image resolution

• Check PDF size requirements

• Include bleed area if required

Stage 6: Compilation and Delivery

Compile final PDF:

pdflatex poster.tex

Or for better font support:

lualatex poster.tex

Verify output quality:

• Check all elements are visible and correctly positioned

• Zoom to 100% and inspect figure quality

• Verify colors match expectations

• Confirm PDF opens correctly on different viewers

Prepare for printing:

• Export as PDF/X-1a if required

• Save backup copies

• Get test print on regular paper first

• Order professional printing 2-3 days before deadline

Create supplementary materials:

• Save PNG/JPG version for social media

• Create handout version (8.5×11" summary)

• Prepare digital version for email sharing

Integration with Other Skills

This skill works effectively with:

• Scientific Schematics: CRITICAL - Use for generating all poster diagrams and flowcharts

• Generate Image / Nano Banana Pro: For stylized graphics, conceptual illustrations, and summary visuals

• Scientific Writing: For developing poster content from papers

• Literature Review: For contextualizing research

• Data Analysis: For creating result figures and charts

Recommended workflow: Always use scientific-schematics and generate-image skills BEFORE creating the LaTeX poster to generate all visual elements.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

AI-Generated Graphics Mistakes (MOST COMMON):

• ❌ Too many elements in one graphic (10+ items) → Keep to 3-5 max

• ❌ Text too small in AI graphics → Specify "GIANT (100pt+)" or "HUGE (150pt+)"

• ❌ Too much detail in prompts → Use "SIMPLE" and "ONLY X elements"

• ❌ No white space specification → Add "50% white space" to every prompt

• ❌ Complex flowcharts with 8+ steps → Limit to 4-5 steps maximum

• ❌ Comparison charts with 6+ items → Limit to 3 items maximum

• ❌ Key findings with 5+ metrics → Show only top 3

Fixing Overflow in AI Graphics: If your AI-generated graphics are overflowing or have small text:

• Add "SIMPLER" or "ONLY 3 elements" to prompt

• Increase font sizes: "150pt+" instead of "80pt+"

• Add "60% white space" instead of "50%"

• Remove sub-details: "NO sub-steps", "NO axis labels", "NO legend"

• Regenerate with fewer elements

Design Mistakes:

• ❌ Too much text (over 1000 words)

• ❌ Font sizes too small (under 24pt body text)

• ❌ Low-contrast color combinations

• ❌ Cluttered layout with no white space

• ❌ Inconsistent styling across sections

• ❌ Poor quality or pixelated images

Content Mistakes:

• ❌ No clear narrative or message

• ❌ Too many research questions or objectives

• ❌ Overuse of jargon without definitions

• ❌ Results without context or interpretation

• ❌ Missing author contact information

Technical Mistakes:

• ❌ Wrong poster dimensions for conference requirements

• ❌ RGB colors sent to CMYK printer (color shift)

• ❌ Fonts not embedded in PDF

• ❌ File size too large for submission portal

• ❌ QR codes too small or not tested

Best Practices:

• ✅ Generate SIMPLE AI graphics with 3-5 elements max

• ✅ Use GIANT fonts (100pt+) for key numbers in graphics

• ✅ Specify "50% white space" in every AI prompt

• ✅ Follow conference size specifications exactly

• ✅ Test print at reduced scale before final printing

• ✅ Use high-contrast, accessible color schemes

• ✅ Keep text minimal and highly scannable

• ✅ Include clear contact information and QR codes

• ✅ Proofread carefully (errors are magnified on posters!)

Package Installation

Ensure required LaTeX packages are installed:

For TeX Live (Linux/Mac)

tlmgr install beamerposter tikzposter baposter

For MiKTeX (Windows)

Packages typically auto-install on first use

Additional recommended packages

tlmgr install qrcode graphics xcolor tcolorbox subcaption

Scripts and Automation

Helper scripts available in scripts/ directory:

• compile_poster.sh : Automated compilation with error handling

• generate_template.py : Interactive template generator

• resize_images.py : Batch image optimization for posters

• poster_checklist.py : Pre-submission validation tool

References

Comprehensive reference files for detailed guidance:

• references/latex_poster_packages.md : Detailed comparison of beamerposter, tikzposter, and baposter with examples

• references/poster_layout_design.md : Layout principles, grid systems, and visual flow

• references/poster_design_principles.md : Typography, color theory, visual hierarchy, and accessibility

• references/poster_content_guide.md : Content organization, writing style, and section-specific guidance

Templates

Ready-to-use poster templates in assets/ directory:

• beamerposter templates (classic, modern, colorful)

• tikzposter templates (default, rays, wave, envelope)

• baposter templates (portrait, landscape, minimal)

• Example posters from various scientific disciplines

• Color scheme definitions and institutional templates

Load these templates and customize for your specific research and conference requirements.