Posters

Wanted Posters

Crime enforcement departments use wanted posters as a way to find criminals. The assumption is that someone in the public may know the whereabouts of the perpetrator. “Old West” wanted posters are a typical example of a wanted poster, though they are still used today by local police and the government. Usually indicated on a wanted poster is information about the criminal, a picture or drawing of the suspect, the crime they are suspected of, a reward for finding him or her and contact information. These posters are often posted where the crime was committed, such as at a bank or convenience store.

Propaganda Posters

Propaganda posters were commonly used during the turn of the 20th century by governments to gain public support for their policies or political movements. These posters inspired people to embrace an ideology and take a specific action. During the first and second world wars, warring nations used propaganda posters as a means to promote conscription to the army. They also served as a means to enhance enthusiasm and confidence about the war effort, solidifying the population towards a common opinion and unified action. Propaganda posters were also used to promote government ideology. An example of how propaganda posters fostered political movements is the way in which the communist movement used propaganda posters to rise to power is Russia, instituting communism and creating the Soviet Union.

Custom Posters

With the advent of widespread technology, creating one’s own media has not only become possible, but also relatively simple. Using a personal computer and the internet, anyone can produce a display medium, such as a poster, that was once only possible to be done by a publishing company. One can design the poster on the personal computer using software and the internet. The digital creation can be printed out by a printer and placed in a pre-fabricated frame. It is also possible to have the digital poster printed and framed professionally. This allows one to choose the type of paper it is printed on and the size of the poster. It is also possible to select the exact frame you would like to use, which is especially useful for a poster that is not a common poster size. Custom posters allow people to design their own decor for their home or office. It also gives people, groups and small businesses a means to express themselves to a broader audience.