Posters are paper prints designed to communicate ideas quickly in a graphical manner. They are basically reproductions that are multiplied in large quantities with a lower grade of paper and inks.
Posters come in various shapes and sizes and serve for a wide range of purposes. Ever since the beginning, they proved to be a very powerful means of expression, continuously evolving to satisfy the growing needs of modern society.
The term “poster” has a long history behind it and comes from the ancient practice of “posting” messages in public places. Text posters were the first to appear and they were basically used to transmit information in an effective way.
Centuries ago, posters were used for advertising theatrical plays, informing the masses about political changes, as well as for promoting government proclamations or announcing meetings and public events. Due to their growing popularity and low production costs, posters quickly became a frequent tool for advertisers, propagandists, protestors and many other groups.
By the end of the 19th century, technological progress allowed the development of new production methods such as colour lithography, which revolutionized poster production. Plain text posters were replaced by graphical, illustrated colour printings. The possibility of printing in bright, vivid colours gained interest from many artists who quickly transformed posters into works of art.
Combining valuable information with expressive graphical symbols or logos, artistic printings had an even bigger impact upon the targeted public.
Due to their success, pictorial printings drew the attention of advertising agencies and rapidly became a common means of publicity. The film industry for example, considerably increased profits after adopting this kind of advertising. Commercial printings featuring subjects such as music and film stars, sports figures or political characters were successfully introduced to the public.
Promotion of limited or open-edition posters gained even more interest from collectors and fans.
Illustrated printings were also used for propaganda during the First and the Second World Wars, or in the late 60’s. Propaganda posters inoculated political ideals and various reactions to the masses. Recruiting through the means of such posters became extremely common and many of them remained in the national consciousness for long periods of time. Well promoted communist slogans, for example, have broken all barriers of time and they still persist in modern society.
Nowadays, posters are the trademark of all businesses and can be printed on almost any surface. Technological progress has improved and high quality prints can be realized with minimum effort and maximum efficiency.
About the Author:
MARCI MARK
Posters
Poster development and use in recent society
