Film students put a lot of work into the movies they develop. Projects can range from one semester to an entire year and may only yield a half hour worth of film. Since you work so hard on your final product, wouldn’t you like to make your own movie poster to reflect the quality of your film?

Iconic Movie Images

Scan through your footage for an iconic image, or one that sums up the feelings in your film. Often times, the main character against a background or in a dynamic pose will serve as an indication of what is going on within the film. If you can’t find a still, try shooting one yourself. For a day’s worth of work finding and shooting at a good location, you could end up with a fantastic title picture for your movie poster. When all else fails, use a good color for the mood of your film and place your actors against that color as a background. Many movies will opt for simple designs like this, showcasing talent rather than giving away plot or key information. The hype your poster generates is equal parts actor talent and interest level for plot.

A Great Film Font

The font you use for the title of your movie is a lot like your movie’s logo. It’s easy to find a font for a western or a horror film, but be careful not to be too hasty. You don’t want to waste time customizing your own font, but make sure your team is available for final approval on the fonts you do choose from. Giving your team a list of your top five font choices might be helpful in coming to a consensus.

Movie Poster Layout

Older posters had a very standard layout, title in the center toward the bottom with crew information underneath. Newer posters experiment by placing tag lines in creative positions, or by sometimes featuring the title and a date alone. Whatever your combination, make sure it fits the production. Remind your crew that if you decide against listing them on your poster, they are still featured in the credits. This may ease tensions revolving around proper accreditation.

Hand Drawn vs. Photo Still Posters

If you have a storyboard artist, he or she may be able to create a hand drawn poster. This type of poster is more time consuming, but may have a wider impact on the audience depending on the art style. Always explore the hand drawn option before opting for an all digital approach. Line drawings are becoming increasingly popular as audiences seek a new design aesthetic. Sometimes an over polished digital model is worse than a simple, sketchy image.

Choice of Poster Printing

Make sure you know what kind of poster you want to make. Vinyl banners will have a very different look than a paper poster. Also keep in mind that most poster printing is done digitally, thus your color options become somewhat limited. For example, gradients don’t show up well in digital printing. Always request a proof, know before you spend part of your budget on an order, that what you will receive is in line with the image you want to promote.

Online Poster Printing is able to accommodate your digital movie poster printing needs with custom sizes and your choice of paper. Our technical specialists can help speed your job along by providing assistance with uploads and proofing. If you have a limited budget, don’t fret! Quality printing isn’t out of your reach, but make sure your design represents what you want. Call Online Poster Printing’s customer service specialists today at 1-888-55-POSTER!