Printing and Attaching Photos to a Poster Board

The cleanest way to add photos to a poster board is to print them at the right size, trim them straight, mount each one on colored cardstock, and attach them with photo mounting squares or double-sided tape instead of liquid glue. Add a short caption under each photo, and your board will look organized and professional.

This guide covers choosing photos, printing options, sizing, adhesives and layout so your student's pictures look sharp and stay put.

Step 1: Choose the Right Photos

Not every photo belongs on a board. Pick images that show something, not just decorate.

• Process photos: setting up an experiment, measuring, building a model.
• Result photos: before-and-after comparisons, plant growth over days, final products.
• Context photos: a place you visited, an object you studied.
• Student-taken photos are best. They prove the work was really done and keep the project original.

For science projects, many fairs have rules about photos, such as whether faces can be shown or whether photo credits are required. Check your official rulebook or ask your teacher before printing.

Taking better photos

• Use good natural light and avoid harsh shadows.
• Fill the frame with the subject; get close.
• Keep the background simple and uncluttered.
• Hold the camera steady and tap to focus.
• Take several shots of each moment so you can choose the best one.
• Include a ruler or coin for scale when size matters.

Step 2: Choose a Printing Option

A good strategy is printing the most important two or three photos at a store and the supporting ones at home.

Printer settings tips

• Choose the photo or best quality setting.
• Select the correct paper type in the print menu so the printer uses the right amount of ink.
• Let prints dry completely before handling; glossy ink can smudge.
• Print a test page first to check color and size.

Step 3: Size Your Photos

Photos need to be large enough to see from a few feet away.

• Main photos: often around 5 x 7 inches or larger.
• Supporting photos: around 4 x 6 inches.
• Small detail photos: around 3 x 5 inches, used sparingly.

Several small photos in a row (like day 1, day 3, day 5 of plant growth) work well when they're the same size and evenly spaced. Resize them on a computer before printing, keeping the same proportions so images don't look stretched. Most photo apps have a crop tool with standard sizes.

Plan photo sizes along with your board layout so they fit within each section with room for captions.

Step 4: Trim and Mount

Mounting means gluing each photo onto a slightly larger piece of colored cardstock before attaching it to the board. It frames the picture and makes the board look finished.

1. Trim the photo with a paper trimmer or scissors along a ruler so edges are straight. Remove any white borders if you prefer.
2. Cut cardstock about a quarter to half inch larger on every side.
3. Attach the photo to the cardstock with mounting squares or double-sided tape, centered.
4. Use the same border color for all photos, or a color that matches each section, for a consistent look.

Paper trimmers have sharp blades. An adult should supervise, or younger students should use scissors.

Step 5: Choose the Right Adhesive

Adhesive choice is where many photos go wrong.

For glossy photos, mounting squares or double-sided tape on all four corners plus the center hold best. For a slightly raised look that stands out, use small pieces of foam tape.

Parent tip: If you live somewhere humid, or the board will be stored in a hot car or garage, tape and glue can lose their grip. Add an extra mounting square in the center of each photo and keep the finished board in a cool, dry place. Let your child do the attaching, but double-check corners together before it leaves the house.

Step 6: Lay Out and Attach Photos

1. Plan placement. Lay mounted photos on the board without adhesive and adjust.
2. Line them up. Use a ruler to make tops or edges match.
3. Keep away from folds. On a tri-fold board, stay at least an inch from the creases.
4. Attach top to bottom, pressing firmly on corners.
5. Add captions. A short line under each photo explains what it shows, like "Day 7: the plant near the window grew taller."
6. Number photos if they show steps, so viewers follow the sequence.

Writing good captions

• One or two short sentences.
• Say what the photo shows and why it matters.
• Use the same font and size for every caption.
• Credit any photo you didn't take, following your teacher's citation rules.

Quick Checklist

Tap the boxes as you go — progress saves on this device only.

• Choose photos that show your work
• Check the rules about faces and photo credits
• Pick the best printing option
• Resize photos to fit your layout
• Let prints dry completely
• Trim photos straight with a ruler
• Mount each photo on colored paper
• Use mounting squares or double-sided tape
• Lay out photos before sticking them down
• Stay away from the folds
• Add a short caption under each photo
• Press down all the corners

Time and Cost Estimate

Cost depends on how many photos you print and whether you use store prints. Mounting squares and photo paper usually come in packs that last for several projects.

Common Photo Mistakes

Photos too small. Tiny pictures can't be seen from a distance. Make main photos large.

Wrinkled or bubbled photos. Usually caused by liquid glue. Switch to mounting squares or tape.

Blurry or dark images. Retake photos in better light, and don't enlarge small, low-quality images too much.

Crooked placement. Use a ruler and pencil guide lines.

No captions. Viewers shouldn't have to guess what a photo shows.

Using others' photos without credit. If your student didn't take a photo, follow the teacher's rules and credit it, or better yet, take their own.

Clear, well-mounted photos make a project come alive and prove the work was done. With the right size, a clean border and the right adhesive, your student's pictures will look sharp from the first day of the fair to the last.