Original film posters have always been produced in a range of shapes and sizes, varying from country to country. Each different country would produce different poster designs in different sizes, and often a number of different sizes for different uses. Sometimes they would re-use the country of origin artwork in some form, or sometimes they would produce their own artwork. This is a guide to the most common formats, although it is important to note that sizes are approximate and actual sizes can vary depending on date, studio and printer. At Rock Paper Film, we will always state the exact dimensions of the poster. Linen backed posters will also have an additional border of up to 1 inch all around.
U.S Posters
One Sheet: 41 x 27 in. (104 x 69 cm.) The standard American poster, vertical format. Until the 1980's was usually issued machine folded with one vertical fold and three horizontal folds.
Half Sheet: 22 x 28 in. (56 x 71 cm.) Horizontal format, printed on card stock, often issued folded.
Insert: 36 x 14 in. (91.5 x 35.5 cm.) Vertical format, printed on card stock.
Three Sheet: 81 x 41 in. (206 x 104 cm.) Vertical format, printed on two or more overlapping sheets for pasting onto a wall outside a cinema.
60 x 40: 60 x 40 in. (152.5 x 102 cm.) Vertical format, printed on card stock, issued unfolded. Produced for outside display at drive in theatres, so few have survived.
40 x 30: 40 x30 in. (102 x 76 cm.) Vertical format, printed on card stock, issued unfolded. Produced for outside display at drive in theatres, so few have survived.
Subway: 45 x 59 in. (114 x 150 cm.) Horizontal format, produced to advertise in US subway systems, mostly in New York.
Six Sheet: 81 x 81 in. (206 x 206 cm.) Printed on four overlapping sheets, issued folded. Produced for use in large cinema lobbies, or to be pasted on the outside of a building. Generally used in larger U.S. theatre lobbies, or on the outside of a building.
24 Sheet: Approximately 106 x 234 in. (269 x 594 cm.) Landscape format, printed in approximately 12 overlapping sections, issued folded. Produced to advertise on a roadside billboard. Extremely rare.
Door Panel:60 x 20 in. (152.5 x 51 cm.) Vertical format. Often issued as a set of designs for use on cinema entrance doors for major productions.
Window Card: 22 x 14 in. (56 x 35.5 cm.) Vertical format, printed on card stock, with the top portion left blank for the cinema to add their details. Produced to advertise in the windows of local stores.
Jumbo Window Card: 28 x 22 in. (71 x 56 cm.)
Midget Window Card: 14 x 8 in.35.5 x 20 cm.)
Lobby Card: 11 x 14 in. (28 x 35.5 cm.) Horizontal format, printed on card stock in sets of eight for display in cinema lobbies. A full set usually includes a Title Card and seven Scene Cards.
British Posters
Quad: 30 x 40 in. (76 x 102 cm.) The standard British poster, vertical format. Until the 1980's was usually issued machined folded with one horizontal fold and three vertical folds.
Double Crown: 30 x 20 in. 76 x 51 cm.) Vertical format.
One sheet: 40 x 27 in. (102 x 69 cm.) Vertical format, issued folded for use in other countries.
Three sheet: 81 x 40 in. (206 x 102 cm.) Vertical format, printed on two or more overlapping sheets for pasting onto a wall outside a cinema.
Front of House: 8 x 10 in. (20 x 25.5 cm.) Horizontal format, printed on card stock in sets of eight for display in cinema lobbies.
Polish Posters
A1: 33 x 23 in. (84 x 58.5 cm.) Vertical format. This size was commonly used until 1977.
B1: 39 x 27 in. (99 x 68.5 cm.) Vertical format. This size was commonly used from 1977.
Czech Posters
A1: 33 x 23 in. (84 x 59 cm.) Vertical format, scarcer than the A3.
A3: Approx. 16 x 11 in. (42 x 30 cm.) The standard Czech poster. Vertical format.
French Posters
Petite: 60 x 40 cm. (15.7 x 23.6 in.) Vertical format, issued machine folded.
Moyenne: 80 x 60 cm. (31.5 x 23.5 in.) Vertical format, issued machine folded.
Grande: 160 x 120 cm (63 x 47 in.) Vertical format, machine folded.
Double Grande: 160 x 240 cm. (63 x 94.5 in.) issued horizontally or 320 x 120 cm. (126 x 47 in.) issued vertically, usually printed in two overlapping sheets, issued machine folded.
Italian Posters
Locandina: 70 x 33 cm. (28 x 13 in.) Vertical format.
Fotobusta: approx. 50 x 70 cm. (19 x 27 in.) Vertical or horizontal format.
Due Fogli: 140 x 100 cm. (55 x 39 in.) Standard Italian poster. Vertical format, issued machine folded.
Quattro Fogli 200 x 140 cm. (78 x 55 in.) Almost as common as the Due Fogli. Vertical format, printed on two overlapping sheets, issued machine folded.
Japanese Posters
B2: 29 x 20 in. (73 x 52 cm.) The standard Japanese poster. Vertical format.
B1: 40 x 29 in. (103 x 73 cm.) Usually vertical format.
STB or Tatekan: 58 x 20 in. (146 x 52 cm.) Vertical format.
German Posters
A1: 33 x 23 in. (84 x 59 cm.) The standard German poster, issued machine folded.
Belgian Posters
Approx. 22 x 14 in. (56 x 35.5 cm.) Vertical or horizontal format, often found with a tax stamp affixed to the poster.
Australian Posters
Daybill: 30 x 13 in. (76 x 33 cm.) The standard Australian poster. Vertical format, usually tri-folded.
One sheet: 40 x 27 in. (102 x 69 cm.) Vertical format, issued machine folded.
Spanish Posters
Spanish One Sheet: 39 x 27 in. (99 x 69 cm.) Vertical format.
Swedish Posters
Swedish One Sheet: 39 x 27 1/2 in. (100 x 70 cm.) Vertical format.
Danish Posters
Danish One Sheet: 33 x 24 in. (84 x 61 cm.) Vertical format.
Argentinian Posters
Argentinian One Sheet: 43 x 29 in. (109 x 74 cm.) Vertical format.