Are you exploring poster designs to advertise your business?
It’s common to explore these options if you want to grow your brand. Posters make a great print campaign, as you can use them to show off your products or services. If done right, your poster will become part of a customer’s daily life.
However, it’s easy to overlook common mistakes that will ruin your design. At the same volume, it’s easy to lose sight of what will and won’t work with this campaign.
Want to learn more? Keep reading to learn everything you shouldn’t do during poster design.
1. Poor Choice of Font and Typeface
When it comes to poster designs, one of the most common mistakes made is the poor choice of font and typeface.
When creating a poster design, fonts and typeface are essential to the overall appearance of the poster. Poor choice of fonts and typeface can negatively impact the effectiveness of the poster. For example, the wrong font style may make the poster text difficult to read and can distract from the overall appearance and message.
Too many fonts and typefaces on a single poster can look cluttered and hard to read. An overabundance of typefaces within one design can lead to an overwhelming and distracting layout, making it difficult to determine the main point at a glance. Poster designs with more than three fonts are often labeled as chaotic and can make viewers tired or confused.
It is important to choose an appropriate font style and size and limit the number of fonts and typefaces used. This is to maintain a professional and attractive look and feel. Additionally, using the same font and size throughout the entire poster helps to create a cohesive look and message.
Finally, using more fonts increases production and production costs, as all fonts must have a license. As such, it’s important to stick to a limited number of poster fonts in order to keep the overall design clear, appealing, and cost-effective.
2. Poor Layout and Alignment
Layout and alignment can make or break a poster design. Poor layout and alignment are two of the most common mistakes found in poster design. When designing and creating a poster, it should have a balanced and well-constructed layout. It must take into account the content and typography of the poster.
Poorly constructed and poorly laid out posters fail to capture the attention of potential viewers, leaving them bored and uninterested. Effective posters must be designed with a clear purpose and hierarchy in mind. Good layout and alignment will ensure the core message of the poster is effectively communicated and that the visual impact of the poster is maintained.
Incorrect spacing and use of white space can also create tension and adds a sense of disorganization. Incorrect scales of design elements can draw all attention to the wrong area. Poor alignment creates a lack of balance and can create an asymmetrical look that can be hard to look at.
Poorly laid out posters usually lack clarity, with elements placed haphazardly, competing for attention and confusion resulting. Effective alignment should be used to maintain a focused, balanced composition and visually consistent flow throughout the design. Poorly aligned designs can create a distorted, awkward feel and detract from the overall message.
All these mistakes when combined can make a poster look like an amateur’s work that lacks style and branding. With good layout and alignment, posters can effectively communicate and capture the attention of potential viewers, engaging them and conveying the desired message with clarity.
3. Low-Quality Prints and Saving in the Wrong Format
Low-resolution poster images appear blurry, pixelated, and distorted when printed, leading to the overall poor quality of the poster. Using a low-resolution image also loses important details of an image, which further deteriorates the quality of the poster, making it look unprofessional. This can lead to customers not taking notice or being disappointed when the posters arrive.
It is essential to use an image with at least 300 dpi for posters that are to be printed, as this is the recommended print resolution for posters. Even if the poster is only for digital consumption, using a high-resolution image is still the best option, as it will still be sharper than a low-resolution image.
Additionally, incorrect sizing can lead to posters that are too small, large, or disproportionate. Last but not least, it is important to invest in a good printer in order to ensure you receive vibrant colors and high-quality prints that will make an impact.
Not saving in the correct format may seem like a small mistake, but it can have a big impact. Saved in the wrong format, a poster may lose important layers, become distorted, or be in the wrong resolution. For those who need to have their poster printed, files that are not in the correct and required format can cause delays and additional costs.
Besides ensuring that a file is in the right format, all fonts need to be included and images, graphics, and text all should be properly placed and adjusted before files are saved. Taking the time to get it right the first time can save headaches down the line.
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4. Ignoring Color Contrast and Extremes
Many poster designs make the mistake of not taking into account color contrast and extremes. This can make the design look drab and flat, lacking the impact of a vibrant color palette. When designing a poster, it is important to consider how the color of the poster interacts with the background and how to create a visually pleasing color scheme.
Colors that are too similar can make the poster hard to read, while colors that are too contrasting can make a poster too busy. Without adequate contrast in colors, the poster will just blend into the background and not be as noticeable.
Tone-down colors so they have a vibrant punch without being too extreme can be beneficial. It is important to take into account the colors used in the logo or text to ensure they stand out. Similarly, before settling on a color scheme, determine which colors are most appropriate for the audience and what the message of the poster should be.
It is important to take into consideration the relationship between colors. The use of vibrant colors such as red and yellow can create a stark contrast between other colors for a dynamic result. Cool colors such as blue and green can create a calming sensation to balance out the design.
Pay attention to the colors used in the poster and make sure they are creating the desired balance. Color is an important aspect of a successful poster design and should not be overlooked in favor of other elements of the poster.
5. Missing Out On Proofreading and Unclear Call to Action
Proofreading is one of the most common mistakes made in poster designs. Designers are often focused on the visual aspects of the design rather than on the copy, as this is not always top-of-mind. Though a poster’s visual elements should be at the forefront of its design, the language used must also be carefully crafted in order to ensure accuracy.
Neglecting to proofread can lead to miscommunication errors or even grammatical errors. If the poster contains misunderstandings due to misspellings or incorrect grammar, viewers are less likely to trust the content of the poster and can be discouraged from acting on it.
Before sending a poster design to print, a designer should carefully read all the text and review it to correct any spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. Doing so will ensure that the poster reads as intended and that the message and the brand are presented in the best possible light.
An unclear call to action (CTA) is one of the most common mistakes found in poster design. It can be hard for a consumer to decipher what action they should take when presented with a poster ad. These mistakes can be avoided by properly conveying the desired action with an active and eye-catching CTA.
An effective CTA should explain the desired action with clarity and include cues, such as a “submit” or “buy now” button, which will help guide the user. Additionally, the CTA should be placed in an obvious and visible spot. By using a clear and concise CTA, poster designers can ensure that the desired goal of the ad is met and that potential customers are aware of any potential action they may take.
By proofreading the text and providing a direct, strong call to action, posters can be successful in encouraging viewers to take the desired action.
Avoid These Mistakes Often Found in Poster Designs
Poster designs should be creative, yet professional and it’s important to avoid potential mistakes. From having too much text to weak fonts and colors, these mistakes can be an easy fix if given the right attention. Take the time to focus on your design and ensure it receives the attention it deserves.
Start your poster designs with these tips in mind. You’ll be creating amazing posters in no time!
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