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Up until the 1980's movie posters and other advertising materials were
printed in very limited quantities. Different sizes were offered
depending on the needs of the studio or theatres. American theatres
actually rented them from the studios. All of them were not meant to
be saved. Most forms arrived at the theatre folded from the studio
supplier. They were considered a disposable form of advertising and
after their initial use were supposed to be returned to the studio or
destroyed. The following are the different sizes and styles of American
movie posters.

For Non U.S. poster styles and sizes click here.

 
ONE SHEET (1sh)
The most common and MOST COLLECTIBLE type of American movie
poster. Nearly all one sheets printed before 1985 measure a full 27" x
41". Most recent one sheets are approximately 27" x 40". Please be
aware that sizes can vary quite a bit sometimes and that posters
do not have to measure EXACTLY 27" x 40" or EXACTLY 27" x 41". One
sheets are always in a vertical format. Up until the early 1980's, most
(not all) were issued folded with one vertical and three horizontal
creases. Some were issued tri-folded. Still used in theaters today and
now always issued rolled. The standard U.S. poster.
 
INSERT
A vertical format American movie poster, measuring 14" x 36",
generally issued rolled and on thicker stock paper. Their smaller size
makes them popular with collectors. Inserts from the 60's and before
were often issued folded. Generally much rarer than a one sheet.
Studios stopped issuing these in the early 1980's.
 
HALF-SHEET
A horizontal format American movie poster, measuring 22" x 28",
generally on thicker stock paper. Newer ones were issued rolled, older
ones were issued rolled and folded (folded twice-not considered a
defect). Usually VERY RARE compared to a one sheet or insert. Studios
stopped issuing these in the early 1980's.
 
30 x 40
EXTREMELY RARE COMPARED TO A ONE SHEET. A vertical format
American movie poster measuring 30" x 40" printed on heavy card
stock material. Most 30 x 40’s feature the same artwork as the one
sheet and were issued rolled to the theatre exchanges. The National
Screen Service number is sometimes found on the side on the poster,
as opposed to the lower bottom as is the case with one sheets. VERY
difficult to find in Near Mint condition because the card stock can
crease easily. Studios have stopped issuing these. The print run for
most 30x40's was usually just a few hundred, making them much rarer
than 27" x 41" paper one sheets.
 
40 x 60
EXTREMELY RARE COMPARED TO A ONE SHEET. A vertical format
American movie poster measuring 40" x 60" printed on heavy card
stock material. Most 40 x 60’s feature the same artwork as the one
sheet and were issued rolled. They were primarily offered for major
motion pictures only and were displayed both inside and outside of
theatres. A 40x60 poster display would cost the theater up to 20 times
as much as a one sheet to rent. Only a few hundred of these were
printed, and it was only printed once. Unlike the one sheet which was
printed in quantities of 10,000 and up. The NSS number is sometimes
found on the side on the poster, as opposed to the lower bottom as is
the case with one-sheets. VERY difficult to find in Near Mint condition
because the card stock can crease easily. Studios have stopped issuing
these.
 
SUBWAY/TWO SHEET
An extremely popular and
very rare HORIZONTAL
format American movie
poster measuring approx.
41" x 54" or 45" x 60".
Subway sheets are
printed on a thicker paper
than one-sheets. Most
contain the same artwork
as the advance materials,
and are almost always
issued as "advances."
They are most often found in subway displays. These posters can be
either rolled or folded. Some collectors like the subway sheet because
there are fewer of them released. They are somewhat large and
cumbersome, but because they are printed on a thick paper, they are
more durable. Still used today. Roughly twice the size of a one sheet,
usually printed in one large sheet, not two separate sheets. HIGHLY
DESIRED DUE TO ITS HORIZONTAL FORMAT AND EXTREME SCARCITY!
 
HALF SUBWAY
A very rare American movie poster measuring approx. 30" x 45". They
look like a very large ONE SHEET. Printed on a thicker paper than one-
sheets. Most contain the same artwork as the advance materials, and
are almost always issued as "advances." They are most often found in
subway displays. These posters can be either rolled or folded. Some
collectors like them because there are fewer of them released. HIGHLY
DESIRED DUE TO ITS EXTREME SCARCITY!
 
 
THREE SHEET
EXTREMELY RARE COMPARED TO A ONE SHEET. A very large
and VERY DESIRABLE vertical format American movie poster.
Measuring approx. 41" x 81", almost always issued folded.
International versions were sometimes issued. Originally designed to
be pasted on small billboards. Studios stopped issuing these in the late
1970's. Roughly three times the size of a one sheet, usually printed in
two or more sections that are assembled together for display. This size
poster always makes a statement and dominates a room.
 
 
SIX SHEET
A HUGE American
movie poster
measuring
approximately 81" x
81", roughly six
times the size of a
one sheet. Produced
in 2 or more
overlapping sections
that are assembled
together for display.
Almost always
folded. EXTREMELY
RARE. Very large and cumbersome they are usually printed on a
thicker paper than one sheets. Originally designed to be pasted on
small billboards. Studios stopped issuing these in the 1970's. This size
poster always makes a statement and dominates a room.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TWENTY FOUR SHEET

A HUGE billboard sized American (or International) movie poster

measuring approximately 9 ft. x 20 ft., roughly 24 times the size of a
one sheet. Produced in 12 or more overlapping sections. Almost always
folded. EXTREMELY RARE. Very large and cumbersome. Designed to be
pasted on billboards or the sides of buildings. Studios still use these
today. There are also even larger Thirty Sheets.
 
BUS STOP/SHELTER
A vertical format American movie or advertisement poster usually
measuring 45" x 70". Designed for display in glass-enclosed corner bus
stop shelters. They normally feature very colorful, eye-catching and
different artwork and are printed on a coated card stock or vinyl like
paper. Many of them are double-sided, and come in a series. They are
made for outside display. Movie studios frequently use them for major
productions. They are very large making them very hard to handle and
display, although they are popular with some collectors. Still used
today they are usually shipped rolled.
 
MOVIE BANNER
Banners come in a variety of sizes. Older ones usually came in a
standard size 24" x 82" or 24" x 60". Newer ones come in all different
sizes, usually very large 3’ to 4’ in width to 8’ to 12’ in length, either
horizontally or vertically. They are usually printed on vinyl or canvas.
They can be used either indoors or outdoors due to their weather-
resistant nature. Some will come with either reinforced holes, a
hanging bar, Velcro and/or other glue adhesive. Banners can be
released as advances or regular issues. Their artwork can vary from
simplistic to extremely detailed. Although banners occupy a large
amount of display space, they are still considered very collectible to
movie art collectors. Banners are printed in limited numbers which
makes them harder to obtain than other more common sizes. Still used
today they are usually shipped rolled.
 
WINDOW CARD
A vertical format poster, measuring 14" x 22", on thicker stock paper
with blank area at top for venue and play dates. Most window cards
are unfolded, but some older ones might be folded. Some older cards
indicated as used may have a theater name and play date hand
lettered on the blank white area at the top of the poster.  Since this is
how the posters were intended to be used, this is not considered
damage by most collectors.  Other cards may have had this top portion
trimmed off. This trimming does lower the value of the poster.
 
 
MINI (MIDGET) WINDOW CARD
A vertical format poster, measuring 8" x 14", on thicker stock paper.
Extremely rare and highly collectible. Some older cards indicated as
used may have a theater name and play date hand lettered on the
blank white area at the top of the poster.  Since this is how the posters
were intended to be used, this is not considered damage by most
collectors.  Other cards may have had this top portion trimmed off.
This trimming does lower the value of the poster.
 
LOBBY CARD
Lobby cards are no longer used in
theaters and are rarely printed for
today's films. These small posters
on card stock (usually 11" x 14" in
a horizontal format) were generally
produced in sets of eight, intended
for display in a theater's foyer or
lobby. A lobby set typically consists
of one Title Card, a lobby card of
special design usually depicting all
key stars, listing credits and
intended to represent the entire film rather than a single scene; and
seven Scene Cards, each depicting a scene from the movie. There are
also Mini Lobby Cards measuring 8 1/2" x 10" (stills).
 
LOBBY CARD SET
Complete set of lobby cards (usually eight), generally including a Title
Card.
 
 
 
STILLS
Measure 8" x 10". Issued in sets of varying numbers. Sometimes on
photo paper, sometimes on card stock similar to lobby cards.
Sometimes referred to as Mini Lobby Cards. Used for promotion, they
were included sometimes in Press Kits. Very collectible.
 
 
DOOR PANEL
Measure 20" x
60". Rarely
used today
and HIGHLY
COLLECTIBLE
AND VERY
RARE. Printed
on both card
and paper
stock. Issued
for major
productions or special theater runs. They were issued alone or in a set
 of posters (usually a set of four). They usually contained their own
unique artwork, normally featuring characters. They were primarily
used for display on theater entrance doors.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MINI MOVIE POSTERS
Small, sizes vary 11" x 17", 13" x 20" and other sizes. These are
giveaways from the theater if you attend the movie. Usually have very
little value although sometimes they can be quite collectible.
 
 

 
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