Poster Terms / Definitions
Definition: Poster
Noun
1. A sign posted in a public place as an advertisement; "a
poster advertised the coming attractions".
2. As it relates to the Star Wars Saga; "Awesome pieces of
collectibility".
Terms:
Teaser: A poster promoting a film, but
not using its title to "tease" or excite the filmgoer.
Advance: A poster issued before the
release of the film which may be of a different design from the
regular release poster, and including a release date printed on
the poster.
Style: A, B, C, etc. With certain
films such as Star Wars, two or more different styles of posters
are created to appeal to different markets; or during a long
run of a film, a new style is introduced to refresh the ad campaign.
Single Sided / Double Sided: Posters
were invariably single sided prior to 1988 when light-boxes were
introduced for theatre lobby display of One-Sheets. Light washes
out single-sided posters, so image was re-enforced by being
reprinted on reverse. Double-sided posters are considered more
desirable because 1) far fewer were produced in the early days
of the format and 2) they are much more difficult to reproduce -
though there are a few examples of double-sided reproductions.
Rolled / Folded: Prior to 1990, movie
posters were almost always folded at the printing plant. They
traveled between the film cans from theatre to theatre on the
once extensive movie exhibition roll-out. With the birth of the
mega-plex, posters are now sent to theaters directly in tubes.
Re-release: - R, followed by a date
year, indicates a re-release or re-issue. When a studio
re-cycled a film by bringing it around to theatres again, they
would issue another poster. Often it was the same artwork with
slight variations in color scheme. Sometimes it was a whole new
design. Usually a re-release poster is worth less than the
original release poster, but there are a few rare exceptions
where the re-issue poster has superior artwork. The R does not
indicate a reproduction.
Mini-Poster: Ranging in size from 6" x 9" up to formats
approaching a One-Sheet. These are promotional posters
distributed at theatres during the early days of a film's
initial run.
Insert: 14" x 36", usually printed on card stock. Discontinued
in the mid-1980's.
˝-Sheet: 22" x 28", printed on card stock. Image
usually different from that used on One-Sheet.
One-Sheet: Approximately 27"x 41", printed on
paper stock, it is the standard poster used in American
theaters. Posters printed before 1985 are almost always found
with two horizontal folds and one vertical fold. Exceptions can
be found with major motion films such as Star Wars, which often
had rolled studio versions. Since the mid-1980's most posters
have been sent directly to theaters rolled. Also, with the
advent of backlit light boxes in 1985, a growing number of
modern posters are printed on both sides. Recent posters often
measure 27" x 40", or smaller.
30 x 40: 30" x 40", printed on heavier
card stock. Image invariably same as One-sheet but may be silk
screened instead of lithographed.
40 x 60: 40" x 60", printed on heavier
card stock. The image may differ from the smaller sizes, and
again may have been silk screened. Designed to be used outside
the theater and often exposed to the elements. These are
sometimes incorrectly referred to as a Two-Sheet poster.
Three-Sheet: 41" x 81", printed on two
or rarely, three separate sheets. Often pasted onto walls
outside the theatre. From the 1970s on, three-sheets were
sometimes printed in one piece and issued as "international"
versions to be used abroad.
Six-Sheet: 81" x 81", printed on paper
stock, usually in four sections, used in larger American theater
lobbies or on the outsides of buildings.
Lobby Card: 11" x 14", printed on light card stock. Originally
made in sets of eight for display in theater lobbies.
Most sets have one title card with production credits and poster
artwork. The other seven cards are colored
photographic scenes. Lobby cards are no longer used in the US,
but are still sometimes produced for the overseas
market. There are also Jumbo Lobby Cards which were made before
1940 and are usually found only as single cards.
Billboard or 24-Sheet: Approximately 106" x 234", printed on
paper stock, they are the size of a roadside billboard.
Usually printed in twelve sections.
Banner: Approximately 81" x 24", older ones were printed on
silk-screened cloth or light card stock. Modern ones are
on vinyl, light card stock, or paper, and the size is highly
variable.
Still: 8" x 10", Black and white photos, with a glossy finish,
used for lobby display and press promotion.
Subway: 45" x 59", printed in horizontal format. Used in US mass
transit systems, mostly in New York. May have
different artwork from One-Sheet.
Bus Shelter: 47" x 70", printed in vertical format.
To be hung outdoors to promote the film, mainly around mass
areas of people such as a bus stop.
Lenticular: 27" x 41" or
larger, printed between composite sheets of
plastic and lit from behind creating a 3D - holographic
effect.
Holo-Foil: Elements of a lenticular on a foil background.
Mylar: Highly reflective background, often mirror reflective.
Herald: A flyer distributed in advance of the opening of a film;
printed in a variety of sizes from one page to a
four page foldout. A herald was designed to be imprinted with
the name of the theatre and play dates of the film.
Souvenir Program: multi page booklet
filled with scenes from film and background information
on the production. These were created for major movie releases
and sold in lobbies of first run movie theatres.
Specific Country Information:
Argentina
cartel (afiche, bill, cartel, notice, placard, show bill, sign,
signboard, trust).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 29" x 43"
Two-Sheet - 43" x 58"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ESB Style "B" Two-Sheet
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Australia
poster (bill, card, notice, placard, post, posting, show bill,
show card, theatrical poster, top billing).
Most Common Size(s):
Daybill - 13" x 30"
One-Sheet - 26" x 39"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ESB Style "A" Foreign
One-Sheet
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Belgium
affiche (poster (position, post), placard).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 14" x 22"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "A" Flemish
One-Sheet
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Brazil
cartaz (bill, card, notice, placard, playbill, showbill,
sticker).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 25" x 36"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "C" One-Sheet
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Bulgaria
разлепвач на афиши (sticker), разлепвам афиши (bill, post),
обява (ad, advertisement, announcement, bill, notice,
notification, ticket), афиш (placard, show bill, show card,
sticker), постер, плакат (placard).
Most Common Size(s):
(A1) One-Sheet - 23" x 33"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW SE Version "B"
One-Sheet
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Canada
poster (bill, card, notice, placard, post, posting, show bill,
show card, theatrical poster, top billing).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 27" x 41"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Star Wars Trilogy
Triple Bill One-Sheet (Toronto)
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Czechoslovakia
plakát (bill, handbill, placard), vývěska, lepič plakátů.
Most Common Size(s):
Handbill (Mini-One-Sheet) - 12" x 16"
One-Sheet - 23" x 33"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "A" One-Sheet
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Denmark
opslag (notice, placard).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 24" x 33"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "A" Foreign
One-Sheet
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Egypt
ملصق زينة, ملصق الإعلانات, لصق إعلان (post), الملصق, إعلان
(ad, advertisement, advertising, announcement,
annunciation, bill, bush, declaration, exploitation, gazette,
notification, pitch, placard, proclamation, profession,
promulgation, pronunciation, protestation, publicity, sign,
spot).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Ep3 Version "B"
One-Sheet
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Finland
juliste (bill, notice, placard).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 16" x 24"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Ewok Style "B"
One-Sheet
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France
affiche (poster (position, post), placard).
Most Common Size(s):
Mini Affiche - 16" x 22"
Petite Affiche - 23" x 31"
Grande Affiche - 47" x 62"
Panneauxs - 120" x 160"
Pantalons - 23" x 62"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ROTJ Style "A" Foreign
Grande
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Germany
plakat (bill, notice, placard), Poster (posters).
Most Common Size(s):
A1 - 23" x 33"
A3 - 11" x 16"
A0 - 33" x 47"
A00 - 47" x 67"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ESB Style "A" Foreign
A1 One-Sheet
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Greece
αφίσα (placard).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 12" x 17"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Ep1 Version "B"
One-Sheet
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Hong Kong / Chinese
海报, 海報 , 標語 (slogan).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 21" x 31"
Subway - 40" x 60"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ROTJ Style "B"
One-Sheet
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Hungary
plakát (bill, hanger, placard), falragasz.
Most Common Size(s):
Half-Sheet - 56 x 39 cm
3/4-Sheet - 70 x 50 cm
One-Sheet - 81 x 56 cm (16" x 22")
One-Sheet - 98 x 68 cm (27" x 39") modern
Two-Sheet - 112 x 81 cm
Four-Sheet - 162 x 112 cm (two seperate sheets)
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "A" One-Sheet
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Iceland
plakat (bill, hanger, placard).
Most Common Size(s):
Handbill - 7" x 10"
One-Sheet - 27" x 39"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "A" Handbill
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India
पोस्टर (bill, card, notice, placard, post, posting, show bill,
show card, theatrical poster, top billing).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Four-Sheet - 55" x 75"
Six-Sheet - 55" x 112"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ESB Style "A" Foreign
One-Sheet
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Israel
פלקט (placard), פוסטר, כרזה (broadsheet, flyer, flysheet,
placard).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 25" x 37"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "A" Foreign
One-Sheet
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Italy
locandina (bill, board, notice, placard, program, programme),
affisso (bill, notice, placard, sign, touch), manifesto
(bill, clear, manifest, manifesto, notice, obvious, open,
placard).
Most Common Size(s):
Locandina - 13" x 27"
Photobusta - 18" x 26"
Due - 39" x 55"
Quattro - 55" x 78"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "A" Due
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Japan
貼り紙 (label, sticker), 貼り札 (notice), 看板 (appearance, attraction,
billboard, closing time, doorplate, figurehead,
policy, sign, signboard).
Most Common Size(s):
B1 (Bie-zen) - 29" x 41"
B2 (Hansai) - 20" x 29"
B3 (Naka-zuri) - 14" x 20"
B0 (Eki-bari) - Varies
B5 (Chirashi) - 7" x 10"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - REV Advance B1
One-Sheet
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Lebanon
affiche (poster (position, post), placard).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ESB Style "B" One-Sheet
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Mexico
cartel (bill, cartel, notice, placard, show bill, sign,
signboard, trust).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Bus Shelter - 40" x 60"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "B" Advance
One-Sheet
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Netherlands
affiche (notice, placard), aanplakbiljet (notice, placard),
poster (notice, placard), plakkaat (notice, placard).
Most Common Size(s):
Bus Shelter - 33" x 46"
Bus Shelter - 47" x 69"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "C" One-Sheet
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Norway
opslag (notice, placard).
Most Common Size(s):
Handbill - 7" x 10"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Ep1 Version "B"
Handbill
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Pakistan
poster (bill, card, notice, placard, post, posting, show bill,
show card, theatrical poster, top billing).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 30" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "C" One-Sheet
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Poland
plakát (bill, hanger, placard).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 26" x 38"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ROTJ Style "B"
One-Sheet
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Romania
afiş (advertisement, bilboard, bill, placard, playbill, program,
programme).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 19" x 27"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "C" One-Sheet
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Russia
афиша (bill, handbill, notice, placard, playbill, show bill,
show-bill, sticker).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - Varies
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Advance "Cowboy"
Banner
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South Arica
aanplakbiljet (notice, placard).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 28" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "A" One-Sheet
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Singapore
poster (bill, card, notice, placard, post, posting, show bill,
show card, theatrical poster, top billing).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Ep2 "Good Guys"
One-Sheet
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South Korea
포스터.
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 21" x 33"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ROTJ Style "B"
One-Sheet
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Spain
cartel (bill, cartel, notice, placard, show bill, sign,
signboard, trust).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 27" x 39"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "A" Advance
One-Sheet
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Sweden
affisch (handbill, notice, placard, play-bill).
Most Common Size(s):
Insert - 13" x 23"
One-Sheet - 27" x 39"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "A" One-Sheet
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Switzerland
plakat (bill, notice, placard),
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 23" x 33"
One-Sheet - 35" x 50"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW SE Version "B"
French One-Sheet
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Taiwan
海报, 海報 , 標語 (slogan).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 20" x 30"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Ep2 Version "A"
One-Sheet
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Thailand
โปสเตอร์ภาพยนตร์ (advertisement, bilboard, bill, placard,
playbill, program, programme).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 20" x 30"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Ep2 Version "A"
One-Sheet
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Turkey
poster (bill), duvar ilanı, afiş yapıştıran kimse, afiş (banner,
bill, placard, show card), afíx (notice, placard).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ESB Style "B" One-Sheet
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United Kingdom
quad (bill, card, notice, placard, post, posting, show bill,
show card, theatrical poster, top billing).
Most Common Size(s):
Mini-Quad - 12" x 16"
Double Crown - 20" x 30"
Quad - 30" x 40"
Bus Shelter - 40" x 60"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Advance Quad
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United States
poster (bill, card, notice, placard, post, posting, show bill,
show card, theatrical poster, top billing).
Most Common Size(s):
Insert - 14" X 36"
Half-Sheet - 22" x 28"
One-Sheet - 27" x 41"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
30 x 40 - 30" x 40"
40 x 60 - 40" x 60"
Two-Sheet - 45" x 58"
Three-Sheet - 41" x 81"
Six-Sheet - 81" x 81"
Seven-Sheet - 91" x 84"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "A" One-Sheet
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Yugoslavia
poster, plakat (placard, show bill, sign), stavljati oglase,
lepiti plakate.
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 19" x 27"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW Style "A" Foreign
One-Sheet
