POSTERS: CHARACTERISTICS, TYPES, PARTS AND EXAMPLES - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The posters are posters that are used to communicate or report an event, usually advertising or propagandistic. In other words, these are sheet formats through which messages are transmitted in order to capture the public's attention in relation to a product or service.

In general, the posters are made with designs based on images and informative texts that are then printed for later publication in visible places and traveled by people.

A poster for a Houdini show at the Regent Theater (circa 1904). Source: Library of Congress

The aforementioned is associated with the etymological origin of the word, which comes from the French affiche and which at the same time was born from the Latin affictum, which means “stuck”.

In order for the posters to be striking and to persuade the public, it is necessary that they contain graphics or drawings related to the message to be conveyed. It is also usual to use an attractive slogan or phrase that includes the main information. Another important feature of this communication material is the size, since it must stand out to be seen.

Poster Features

Political posters

The posters are mainly characterized by:

Striking

As described at the beginning of this paper, posters are a means of communication used to make information known. So in order to capture the attention of the public, your design must be striking in terms of text, images, size and colors.

Brevity

The informative content of the posters should be brief and precise, in order that the message is direct and convincing. To achieve this purpose, phrases or slogans are used that are engraved in people's thoughts.

Main idea

In every poster it is relevant that the main idea stands out among the other elements that make it up, in this way the message reaches the public more quickly. It is strategically placed in a visible place, a legible font is used and at the same time attractive for its design and color. This idea can be accompanied by a slogan.

Additional Information

The additional information in a poster refers to the data and characteristics of the product, service or event that is the object of the advertisement. All these aspects can be located within the space according to their relevance. The important thing is that the public knows the most important features and thus can make a consumer decision.

Slogan

The advertising or propaganda content of the posters is generally accompanied by a slogan. This is the phrase that stands out for its brevity, conciseness and precision. This type of message exposes the advantages, benefits or most interesting characteristics of the product or service.

Images

The images are essential to complement the information contained in the posters, since they attract the attention of the public. The design, colors, size and shapes of the images must be striking so that they remain in the mind of the observer.

Location

Once the posters meet the aforementioned characteristics, they proceed to their strategic location. This refers to placing or sticking them in visible spaces with a high number of people, in this way the message has a greater reach.

Types of posters

Posters can be of different types. The following classifications are the most common:

- Political posters

The main purpose of this variety of posters is to consolidate or modify people's political thinking with the intention that they lean towards a certain ideology. Its use is very common in electoral times and political campaigns by virtue of the fact that they serve to popularize candidates or parties.

- Sports posters

Sports posters are intended to promote any type of activity related to the world of sports. These posters can provide information associated with an event, game, competition or also communicate advertising messages about a brand of clothing, shoes or sporting goods.

- Social posters

The main characteristic of social posters is their orientation towards issues that are of importance to communities or societies. Therefore, their content is usually informative and preventive, they are almost always carried out in order to publicize a disease and its causes, types of addictions or some type of contagion through sexual contact.

- Educational posters

This type of poster has the objective of teaching or transmitting an educational message on a certain topic. Its design must be structured in such a way that the content is easy to understand and thus can be fully assimilated by the public that perceives it.

- Ecological posters

Ecological posters are those that fulfill the function of informing about the environment and provide tools for its conservation. The main objective is to raise awareness for the maintenance and care of all the elements that make up nature.

- Advertising posters

Advertising posters are those that publicize a product or service with the intention that the public know about it and then consume it. This variety of posters is one of the most common and what it seeks is to increase sales and economic profits through purchases.

Parts of the poster

The poster consists of the following parts:

- Title

The title is the part that heads the information on the poster. It is linked to the service or product that is part of the advertising, therefore it must be attractive and eye-catching.

- Description

This part describes or explains in a simple and precise way the product information.

- Additional text

This type of information serves to complement the main description of the product or service that is advertised.

- Slogan

The slogan is a short phrase that reinforces the main characteristics and advantages of the product or service. It must be eye-catching, compelling, and accurate.

- Brand

This part of the poster represents the company or sponsor of the event, product or service.

- Image

The image of a poster is represented by a photograph or drawing that refers to the product, it is used to make the information more attractive, influential and dynamic.

Examples of posters

Military recruitment poster (social poster)

American military recruitment poster. Source: James Montgomery Flagg

Mexican poster of a novillada (advertising poster)

A Mexican poster for a novillada (2009). Source: AlejandroLinaresGarcia

Poster

Poster for the play «The Mikado». Source: John Stetson Copyright 1885, Strobridge Litho. Co.

References

1. (2019). Spain: Wikipedia. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org.
2. Ucha, F. (2009). Definition of poster. (N / A): ABC definition. Recovered from: definicionabc.com.
3. Definition of poster. (S. f.). Mexico: Definition. Recovered from: definicion.mx.
4. Poster meaning. (2018). (N / A): Meanings. Recovered from: significados.com.
5. Pérez, J. and Merino, M. (2012). Definition of poster. (N / A): Definition. From. Recovered from: definicion.de.