As the number of poster sessions increases at professional meetings each year, students, scientists, and managers face new challenges to develop effective poster production skills. The paper reviews the advantages and disadvantages of poster presentations as compared to verbal presentations. It outlines front-end and secondary planning, materials, and follow-up needed to create visually attractive and technically accurate posters. An example of an actual poster display, with several spot-art symbols, is used to help document conceptualization and technical production aspects. The techniques can be used to make posters either for classroom projects or for formal presentations at national professional meetings. Convenient check lists are provided to help first-time or experienced enthusiasts determine their progress in completing specific phases of a poster presentation.