Explanation of Movie Poster Sizes and Abbreviations

Rick's Movie.com is the world's #1 online Movie Poster retailer.

Poster and Movie Collectibles Sizes. To see a more detailed explanation of Poster Terminology, go to our glossary page.

Item Sizes

Note: Sizes are approximate.
Do not order frames for your item until you have received it.
You may also call or email our customer service about the
exact size of your selected items.

2S

2-Sheet measure 45" x 59" and are usually horizontal. These posters are sometimes called subway posters because of their  use on small billboards in the New York subway. 2-sheets are printed on paper stock and can be folded or rolled when we receive them.

3S

3-Sheets measure 41" x 81" and are  printed on paper stock similar to one sheets. 3-Sheets were intented to be pasted on small billboards. Early 3-Sheets (pre 1940s) came as 3 separate one sheet size panels designed to overlap and form one large poster.  Later, as large presses became more common, 3-sheets were printed in 2 overlapping panels. By the 1970s, presses had the capability of printing a single 41"x81" panel.  All 3-Sheets are folded at the printer.

6S

6-Sheets measure 81" x 81" and are  printed on paper stock similar to one sheets. 6-Sheets were intented to be pasted on small billboards. Early 6-Sheets (pre 1940s) came as 6 separate one sheet size panels designed to overlap and form one large poster.  Later, as large presses became more common, 6-sheets were printed in 4 overlapping panels. By the 1970s, presses had the capability of printing two overlapping 41"x81" panels. All 6-Sheets are folded at the printer.

AU1

An original 13" x 30" Australian poster called a daybill.  Australian daybills are printed on paper similar in weight to U.S. 1-Sheets, but their long, narrow size makes them more like U.S. insert posters.  Nearly all Australian daybills are folded.

BL1

An orginal Beligan poster measuring approximately 14" x 22".Can be folded or unfolded.

8B

8x10 Black & White Glossy Photo. This is a high quality photograph printed on photographic paper - NOT a cheap laser print.

8C

8x10 Color Glossy Photo. This is a high quality photograph printed on photographic paper - NOT a cheap laser print.

BL

Affordable, high quality 14x22 reprinted Belgian movie poster. Nearly identical in quality to original posters, reprints are ideal framing and decoration. However, unlike original movie posters, reprints are not likely to increase in value. The online images do not do justice to the vibrant colors in this easy to frame classic reprint.

BP

Licensed British movie theme poster (various sizes).

BPJ

A Jumbo 39"X 55" British poster sometimes called mural size.  These posters can be movie or music theme posters an are usually licensed specifically for resale.

BQ

Original British Quad movie poster. Approximately 40x28. British Quads are horizontal posters used in many British theaters.

CEL

A specially created collectable incorporating an original piece of 35mm film encased within a 7 1/2" x 2 3/4" lucite display case.

CM

Licensed commercial movie theme poster (various sizes). Affordable and ideal for framing.

CS

8x10 Lobby Cards. Full set contains 8 unless otherwise noted within parentheses (# ). 8x10 sets are also called color still sets or F.O.H. ("Front of House") sets. Note: In the mid 1980's most U.S. studios discontinued printing lobby cards display in U.S. theatres.

DS

Door Size poster measuring 24" x 72". Door posters are usually licensed specifically for resale.  They often feature a full length lifesize shot of a celebrity.

FA

Fine Art Print. Fine art prints are high quality prints created specifically for framing.  Art prints are usually printed on heavier, higher quality paper than movie one sheets. Some may be printed on special archival quality, acid-free paper.

  Art prints can be offered in open editions (in which future printings take place if demand justifies) or Limited Editions of a specified number. A variation of the limited edition print is one that is individually signed by the artist. Example: Star Wars 10th Anniversary, Limited Edition of 3000, signed and numbered by artist, Drew Struzan.

FOS

Original theatrical release one sheet movie poster folded by the studios printer/distributor. This is an original, not a reprint. (Note: nearly all one sheets printed before 1985 measured a full 27x41 inches. Most recent one sheets are approximately 27x40 inches).

FR

An original French poster. Nearly all French posters are folded. (Exception: some one sheet size posters printed in French in the U. S. or Canada, specifically for the Quebec market). Standard French movie posters come in three sizes: 15" x 21", 23" x 31", and 47" x 63".

FS

Original theatrical release 40x60 movie poster, unfolded. (Note: 40x60s are BIG! They are printed on heavy paper and are twice as large as a one sheet. 40x60s were printed nearly all films released prior to 1985.)

GER

An original German poster. German posters can be rolled or folded.  The German equivalent of a U. S. one sheet is somewhat smaller, measuring 23" x 31".

HS

Original theatrical release 28x22 half sheet, unfolded. (note: Half sheets were one of the standard sizes printed all movies released prior to 1985.)

IL

A 39" x 55" Italian poster.  This is one of the standard Italian movie poster sizes. This size is always folded.

IT1

A reprinted movie poster printed in Italy and measuring approximately 28" x 40". We have Italian reprints of Italian, British and U. S. posters.

LF

A Lobby Set printed in a country other than the U.  S.  Foreign lobby card sets can be the same size or different from those printed in the U. S.

LS

11x14 Lobby Cards. Full set contains 8 unless otherwise noted within parenthese ( #). Lobby Card Sets feature scenes from the film and were intended use in the theatre lobby promotions. Note:In the mid 1980's most U.S. studios discontinued printing lobby cards display in U.S. theatres.

MBN

A Movie Theater Banner. Banners can be printed on paper, cloth or vinyl.  Most are horizontal, but we ocassionally see vertical banners.  Sizes vary. Our listings will indicate the approximate size.

MLD

Theater lobby display. This general category includes and display item (other than a banner or standee) create specially for an in theater promotion.  This can include mobiles, counter cards, etc.

MN

Mini Poster. Mini posters can be smaller versions of the standard one sheet or they may have totally different aren't.  Sizes vary, but minis are always considerably smaller than U. S. one sheets.

MP1

MST

Theater Lobby Standee. Standees are 3 diminsional cardboard displays intended to be assembled and displayed in theater lobbies to promote a film.

MU1

MU2

MU3

MU4

MU5

MU6

PBT

Photobusters are large color photos of scenes from a movie, usually printed on glossy paper of medium weight. These are sold by the set. Some sets are 11"x14". Some are 16"x20". Still others consist of a variety of sizes. Photobuster sets don't appear very often. They are usually issued for films with major box office potential (eg. Star Wars, Aliens, etc.).

PK

Press Kit.Presskits are used by the media in reviewing films. A kit typically contains production notes, brief biographical information on cast and crew members and black and white 8" x 10" glossy stills. Our listings indicate the number of stills in the kit. Some recent kits may also have 35mm color slides. (See also SS - Still Set below).

QD

Approximately 39x27 inches reprint of original British Quad movie posters. British Quads are horizontal posters used in many British theaters.

RE1

Reprints Affordable, high quality 27x40 reprinted poster (approximate size). Nearly identical in quality to original posters, reprints are ideal for framing and decoration. However, unlike original movie posters, reprints are not likely to increase in value.

RE2 AND RE4

Reprints. Affordable, reprinted poster. Nearly identical in quality to original posters, reprints are ideal for framing and decoration. However, unlike original movie posters, reprints are not likely to increase in value.

RE3

Reprints. Affordable, approximately 26x38 reprinted movie poster. Nearly identical in quality to original posters, reprints are ideal for framing and decoration. However, unlike original movie posters, reprints are not likely to increase in value.

RK

A music theme poster.  This includes original tour promotional posters as well as licensed posters created for resale.

ROS/XOR

Original theatrical release one sheet movie poster in rolled condition. This is an original not a reprint. (Note: nearly all one sheets printed before 1985

measured a full 27x41 inches. Most recent one sheets are approximately 27x40 inches).

SP

An original Spanish poster similar in size to a U. S. one sheet.

SS

Still Set. Still sets are 8" x 10" glossy black and white photographs used for promotional purposes. Our still sets will come in a plastic or paper envelope with no presskit cover or production notes.

ST

Lifesize Standup. This a cardboard display created specifically for resale.  It features a lifesize or near-lifesize image of  a celebrity.

STK

Soundtrack Poster. This is an original poster created for the promotion of a movie soundtrack.

TF

Original theatrical release 30x40 movie poster, unfolded. (Note: 30x40s have the same image size as the one sheets, but with different size borders. 30x40s are printed on heavier, better quality paper. This was one of the standard sizes printed most films released prior to 1985.

TV

TV Promo Poster.  This is a poster created to promote a TV series. Usually printed in the 27" x 40" one sheet format.

VBN

Video Store Banner. Video Banners can be printed on paper, cloth or vinyl.  Most are horizontal, but we ocassionally see vertical banners.  Sizes vary.

Our listings will indicate the approximate size.

VD

Video Posters (Various Sizes) Original video release poster.  This an original poster intended to promote the video release. Nearly all of our video posters are rolled.  Exceptions are noted. <

VIN

Vintage One Sheet.  We use this category for some pre 1970s one sheets which are obviously used.  Condition may vary. We recommend calling or writing for details on thes items.

VLD

Video Store Display. This general category includes and display item (other than a banner or standee) create specially for an in video store promotion. This can include mobiles, counter cards, etc.

VST

Video Standee.  Standees are 3 diminsional cardboard displays intended to be assembled and displayed in video stores to promote a video release.

WC

Window Card. Window cards are 14" x 22" posters printed on heavier card stock.  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 letter 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.

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