One of the most important considerations for your board is how easy it is to read. Choosing the right paper is one simple way to improve the appearance from the start. Using cover or card stock, which are heavier than regular paper stock, means that your text sheets aren't as likely to end up with unsightly crinkles when you glue them to the board. Printing all of your text on white, non-glare paper makes it easier for judges and visitors to read, and adding contrasting colored paper behind those sheets makes the text stand out. Colorful borders at the top and bottom of the board also add visual appeal, but be careful not to add too many extras, because they can be distracting.
Science fair judges and visitors will have to read many display boards, so do what you can to make it easier for them—which includes choosing your fonts carefully. A simple typeface without a lot of curls and fancy lines is best, and most of your text should be at least 16 points high. Step across the room to check and see if you can read your headings from there. If not, make them bigger. Pictures and graphs make your board more interesting, but don't add writing on top of them, as doing so makes both the text and the image hard to see.
In most cases, the best way to arrange your board is to like a book, starting with the first part of your project at the top-left corner, then moving to the bottom and to the right. Place the title of the whole project at the top of the center section. On the left side, explain the question you wanted to answer, along with the hypothesis you created. Underneath these, summarize the materials you read before you started your experiment.
In the center of the board, describe the materials you used and the steps you took in your experiment. This is also the place to display the pictures you took during your experiment and any graphs you have made. On the last section, glue a summary of your results and a statement explaining your conclusion -- how you answered your question.
Before starting on a freestanding display board, read the rules for the science fair again to be sure of the required sizes and elements. Then, make a drawing of what you want the board to look like. Once you have the sketch, use a ruler to make sure you line things up neatly on your self-supporting board. Place everything on your display, using a ruler and moving the pieces around for the best design, before you glue anything down. Printing your text with your computer or using stencils or cut-out letters are easy ways to keep things neat, but you can also hand print the information neatly. Lightly print your words with a pencil before tracing them with a marker.