There are plenty of apps that you can use to make a poster. But one of the easiest and most affordable (kind of free, they get to use some of your online info), might be Google Slides. After signing up for an account and agreeing to Google’s terms of service, you’ll find it easy to create your poster elements and get the design layout that you want.
But to use this powerful technology, there are a few things that you need to know. Keep reading to learn everything you need about how to make a poster in Google Slides.
Setting up the Page
The first thing that you need to do is format the page correctly. You will need to start by selecting “File” then “New” from the dropdown menu. Next, it’s time to get the page set to the correct size. Here are the steps to follow to do this:
- Select “File”
- Choose “Page Setup” from the dropdown list of options
- Pick “Custom”
- Enter the dimensions that you will be working with. This often depends on whether you want a portrait or landscape layout. Some of the most common dimensions are 35 by 43 for portrait and 43 by 35 for landscape.
Delete Text and Boxes
The next thing you need to do is delete the text boxes and any other features on the poster. This will give you a blank slate that you can start from.
Select all with your mouse and right-click and choose delete. This will clear out everything and get you ready to design your own elements.
Choose a Background Image
It’s time to decide what background image you want to use. It’s important to choose which one you are using. This is the first thing the viewer will see, so you want to find something that will grab their attention.
You’ll also need to choose a high-quality image. This will ensure that it doesn’t become blurry when you blow it up to full size. One thing to point out is that you will need to use royalty-free images if you intend to use your posters commercially. Here are two royalty-free image companies that have enormous collections of photos and graphics:
- Envato elements (an amazing subscription service with unlimited downloads)
- ShutterStick (perhaps the most popular stock and graphics company)
Sometimes, you won’t want to use a picture. Instead, you can use color as the background. To do this, you will need to use the “Solid Fill” option in the “Design” tab.
Creating The Poster Template
Once you have chosen your background image, you will be able to start adding more content. There are plenty of ways that you can do this by using the tools in the design panel. Some of the tools you can use include:
- Text boxes
- Add additional images
- Putting in logos
- Shapes
- Lines
Adding Content Images
You will also be able to add some PNG vector art. Google Slides has a limited number of artwork options for you to choose from. But some sites will let you download more. One of the best options will be flaticon.com. They have a massive selection for you to choose from, so you’ll be able to find something that will suit your project.
When you have found something that you like, it will be easy to incorporate it into your poster. You just need to follow these steps:
- Click on the mountain icon. This is the pictures section.
- Choose where you want to import the image from. The next thing that you need to consider is where the image will come from. There are plenty of options for you to choose from. You can get it from your storage device, Google Docs, or import a picture from the internet.
- Confirm your selection. Once you do this the image will appear. It should be noted that this will be in the original size. Because of this, you might need to resize it a little to make sure that it fits.
There are a few things to keep in mind when you are adding images. Most importantly, you’ll need to consider copyright law. Like I said above, stick to royalty-free images. This ensures that you aren’t accidentally stealing someone else’s work or photography.
It’s also important to think about the size of the file. If it is too small for the poster, and you try to blow it up, it will end up looking blurry. In this case, the best solution is often to choose a new image.
If you need an article to better understand resolution, PPI (pixels per image and DPI (dots per image), then you will want to check out this article:
Adding Text
The next thing that you need to do is start adding text with the text box tool. This will allow you to send your message to the viewer. There are a few things to keep in mind when you are doing this. First, you’ll need to make sure that you tailor your text to the target audience.
In most cases, this will mean keeping your thoughts brief so that the poster can be read in a matter of seconds. If you are making an academic or informative poster, though, you might need to add more details. Check out this article to learn how to nail copy:
It’s also important to spend some time crafting your message. You will need to convey your message using the fewest number of words. Getting used to writing concisely can be a challenge.
Edit the Poster
Once you are happy with all the elements, it’s time to edit the poster. Google Slides will make this a relatively straightforward process. In this case, you will be able to click on an element. Then, you will be able to resize or rotate it. You can also change the text color or size to make it easier to read.
As you are editing the poster, it can be a good idea to zoom out. This will give you a better idea of how the poster will look when viewed from a distance. This will tell you whether it will be visually striking enough to grab the audience’s attention.
Once again, we have dropped the perfect article to help you in your graphic communication better. This is a must-read:
Using a Template
So far, we’ve looked at how you will be able to create a poster from scratch. If you prefer, you will be able to use a pre-existing poster template. All you need to do is download and open these, and the elements will be in place. This will make it easy for you to start editing your poster.
If you want some free ideas and templates, you can check out this article.
Once you find a template you like, you will need to save it in your Google Docs. Then, you will need to open it. This will allow you to edit its appearance and change the elements. But, with the basics already in place, it will be a lot easier to make a great poster.
Saving the Poster
Once you are happy with the poster’s look, it’s time to save it to your computer. You will need to hit the “File” button and select the “Save” option from the dropdown menu. This will save the template for future projects, allowing you to keep a consistent format.
In most cases, you will need to save it as a PDF file. This will make it easy for you to print it out later. To do this, you will need to follow these steps:
- Click “File”
- Select “Download As” from the menu
- There will be a “PDF” option
- Decide where you want to save the PDF and give it a memorable name
Print Out Your Poster
The final thing that you need to do is print it out. This will be a lot easier once you have converted it into a PDF file. You should be able to send a copy of this file to your local printing store or use a USB stick and personally deliver it, this is the one I use.
Before you print it, just double-check the print preview and confirm there are no mistakes. This will ensure that it is looking the way that you expect it to.
Final Thoughts
Google Slides can be a powerful tool and is excellent for making basic posters. It makes it easy to add text, shapes, images, and other graphic elements.
You can essentially edit everything with ease, so you can get the poster looking precisely the way you want it to. However, if you are looking at really improving your design game, you will want to master the software outlined in this article:
Also, I want to mention that we are currently creating an online course geared at teaching you how to make movie posters with Photoshop. We highly suggest signing up for our newsletter as subscribers will be the first to be notified when the course is released.
In the meantime, you can check out some free design tutorials on our YouTube channel. And of course, we have more juicy content with these informative articles: