Poster Terms
Poster Terms
The following page contains terms and definitions that are used when describing theatrical posters in general. You will also find information about the various sizes of posters from around the globe, and how they associate their formats with the Star Wars film posters.
Definition: Poster
Noun
1. Usually a large sheet of paper or other material, with writing or pictures on it that is displayed as a notice, advertisement, or for decoration.
2. A sign posted in a public place as an advertisement; "a poster advertised the coming attractions".
3. 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 theater lobby display of One-Sheets. Light washes out single-sided posters, so the 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 facility. They traveled between the film cans from theater to theater 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 theaters 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. Disney/Lucasfilm modern mini-posters are around 13" x 19". These are promotional posters distributed at theaters 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.
Half-Sheet: 22" x 28", printed on card stock. Image usually different from that used on One-Sheet. Discontinued in the mid-1980's.
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 or tri-folded. 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 the same as the One-sheet, but may be silk screened instead of lithographed. This size has been phased out of production since the mid-1980's.
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. Today, they a currently only used in a limited capacity.
Three-Sheet: 41" x 81", printed on two or rarely, three separate sheets. Often pasted onto walls outside the theater. Starting in the 1970's and forward, three-sheets were sometimes printed in one piece and issued as "international" versions to be used abroad. This size has also been phased out of production since the mid-1980's.
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: 8" x 10" or 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 also for some major films like Star Wars, which are usually found only as single cards, or possibly small sets of just two or three cards. Today, these cards are only used in foreign markets.
Jumbo Lobby Card: 14" X 17", printed prior to 1940, these sets were usually produced for the studio's higher profile releases. Often printed on a linen or glossy stock, with no title card, these cards were produced in far fewer quantities than standard lobby cards, thus, more rare.
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 City. 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 40" 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 theater and release dates of the film.
Souvenir Program: A 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 theaters.
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
Australia
poster (bill, card, notice, placard, post, posting, show bill, show card, theatrical poster, top billing).
Most Common Size(s):
Promotional handout - 11" x 17", 16" x 20"
Daybill - 13" x 30"
One-Sheet - 26" x 39"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ESB style "A" Foreign One-Sheet
Belgium
affiche (poster (position, post), placard).
Most Common Size(s):
Small One-Sheet - 14" x 22"
One-Sheet - 24" x 33"
Can be horizontal or vertical.
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW style "A" Flemish Small One-Sheet
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
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):
One-Sheet - 18" x 26"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW SE version "A" One-Sheet
Canada
poster (bill, card, notice, placard, post, posting, show bill, show card, theatrical poster, top billing).
Most Common Size(s):
Lobby Card - 8" x 10", 11" x 14"
Jumbo Lobby Card - 16" x 20"
Petite-Affiche - 16" x 22"
Moyenne-Affiche - 23" x 31"
Insert - 14" X 36"
Half-Sheet - 22" x 28"
One-Sheet - 27" x 41"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Star Wars Trilogy Triple Bill One-Sheet (Toronto)
Czechoslovakia
plakát (bill, handbill, placard), vývìska, lepiè plakátù.
Most Common Size(s):
Handbill (Mini-One-Sheet) - 12" x 16"
A1 Size / One-Sheet - 23" x 33"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW style "A" One-Sheet
Denmark
opslag (notice, placard), plakat.
Most Common Size(s):
Handbill (Mini-One-Sheet) - 8" x 11"
One-Sheet - 24" x 33"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW style "A" Foreign One-Sheet
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
Finland
juliste (bill, notice, placard).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet / A2 Size - 16" x 24"
One-Sheet / A1 Size - 23" x33"
One-Sheet - 27" x 39" (modern)
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Ewok style "B" One-Sheet / A2 Size
France
affiche (poster (position, post), placard).
Most Common Size(s):
Petite-Affiche - 16" x 22"
Moyenne-Affiche - 23" x 31"
Grande-Affiche - 47" x 62"
Panneaux - 120" x 160"
Pantalon - 23" x 62"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ROTJ style "A" Foreign Grande-Affiche
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 Size / One-Sheet
Ghana
amannebɔ krataa (a notice (paper)).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Bag (locally woven flour sack, cotton canvas), 34" x 46" approx. portrait format
Two-Bag (locally woven flour sacks, cotton canvas, stacked horizontally and sewn together), 44" x 75" approx. portrait format
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Ewok Adventure Style "A" Foreign Battle for Endor Two-bag
Greece
αφίσα (placard).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 12" x 17"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Ep1 version "B" One-Sheet
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 - SW style "C" One-Sheet
Hungary
plakát (bill, hanger, placard), falragasz.
Most Common Size(s):
A2 / Half-Sheet - 39 x 56 cm (16" x 23")
3/4-Sheet - 50 x 70 cm (19.7" x 27.6")
A1 / One-Sheet - 56 x 81 cm (23" x 33")
One-Sheet - 68 x 98 cm (27" x 39") modern
A0 / Two-Sheet - 81 x 112 cm (33" x 46")
A00 / Four-Sheet - 112 x 162 cm (two separate sheets)
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW style "A" One-Sheet
Iceland
plakat (bill, hanger, placard).
Most Common Size(s):
Handbill - 7" x 10"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW style "A" Handbill
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
Indonesia
poster (bill), pengumuman (announcement, notice, bulletin, publication, proclamation, poster), surat tempelan (poster, showbill).
Most Common Size(s):
A4/F4 - Flyer / One-Sheet - 8.27" × 11.69" (21cm × 29.7cm)
One-Sheet - 27" x 39" (modern)
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - Empire Strikes Back style "B" Flyer
Israel
פלקט (placard), פוסטר, כרזה (broadsheet, flyer, flysheet, placard).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 25" x 37"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40" (modern)
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW style "A" Foreign One-Sheet
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 (Fotobusta) - 18" x 26"
Un Fogli / Soggottone - 27" x 39"
Due Fogli - 39" x 55"
Quattro Fogli - 55" x 78"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW style "A" Due Fogli
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):
B0 (Eki-bari) - 41" x 57" (Varies)
B1 (Bie-zen) - 29" x 41"
B2 (Hansai) - 20" x 29"
B3 (Naka-zuri) - 14" x 20"
B4 (Speed / Insert) - 10" x 29"
B5 (Chirashi) - 7" x 10"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - REV Advance B1 One-Sheet
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
Mexico
cartel (bill, cartel, notice, placard, show bill, sign, signboard, trust).
Most Common Size(s):
Lobby Card - 11" x 14" / 12½" x 16½"
One-Sheet - 27" x 41"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Bus Shelter - 40" x 60"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW style "B" Advance One-Sheet
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
Norway
opslag (notice, placard).
Most Common Size(s):
Handbill - 7" x 10"
One-Sheet - 27" x 41"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40" (modern)
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - ROTJ style "B" Colosseum One-Sheet
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
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
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
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
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
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
South Korea
포스터 (poster, handbill, flyer).
Most Common Size(s):
A4 - Flyer / Handbill - 8.27" × 11.69" (21cm × 29.7cm)
One-Sheet - 21" x 33"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW style "A" One-Sheet
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
Sweden
affisch (handbill, notice, placard, play-bill).
Most Common Size(s):
Stolpe (Pole Poster) - 13" x 23"
One-Sheet - 27" x 39"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW style "A" One-Sheet
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
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
Thailand
โปสเตอร์ภาพยนตร์ (advertisement, bilboard, bill, placard, playbill, program, programme).
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 21" x 31"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40"
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW style "C" (War of the Worlds) One-Sheet
Turkey
poster (bill), afişleri, 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
United Kingdom
quad (bill, card, notice, placard, post, posting, show bill, show card, theatrical poster, top billing).
Most Common Size(s):
Lobby Card (Front of House) - 8" x 10"
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
United States
poster (bill, card, notice, placard, post, posting, show bill, show card, theatrical poster, top billing).
Most Common Size(s):
Lobby Card - 8" x 10", 11" x 14"
Jumbo Lobby Card - 16" x 20"
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
Yugoslavia
poster, plakat (placard, show bill, sign), stavljati oglase, lepiti plakate.
Most Common Size(s):
One-Sheet - 19" x 27"
One-Sheet - 27" x 40" - Modern day format (Used in Serbia etc.)
Most unique or famous Star Wars Poster - SW style "A" Foreign One-Sheet
Poster Terms & Definitions
Tom William Chantrell -
(December 20, 1916 - July 15, 2001)
born in Manchester, England, he was a British illustrator and film poster artist. His most notable Star Wars illustration can be found on theatrical posters around the world as the style "C" montage cast version.
