Cartelli

Cartelli is a plural noun in Italian that has several closely related meanings. In everyday language it refers to signs, placards, or posters used to convey information, instructions, warnings, or advertising. A cartello may be made of paper, cardboard, metal, plastic or wood and is typically attached to walls, poles, or vehicles. The term is often used for signs seen in public spaces, workplaces, shops, and buildings. It is common to distinguish cartelli from cartelloni, which denote larger advertising boards.

In the context of public and road infrastructure, cartelli stradali are road signs that communicate rules, directions, or cautions to drivers and pedestrians. Other common categories include cartelli di cantiere (construction-site signs), cartelli informativi (informational signs in offices or institutions), and cartelli di prezzo in negozi. Regulations governing the design, visibility, and placement of cartelli vary by country and aim to ensure clarity and safety.

Economically, cartelli refers to cartels, which are formal agreements among independent companies to coordinate behavior in a market. A cartello may fix prices, allocate markets or customers, or limit production to reduce competition and increase profits. Cartelli are generally illegal under most competition or antitrust laws because they harm consumers by keeping prices artificially high and reducing choice. Enforcement is carried out by authorities in many jurisdictions, often resulting in fines, dissolution of the agreement, and sometimes criminal penalties for individuals involved.

Etimologically, cartello likely derives from carta (paper) with the diminutive suffix -ello, indicating a small sign or sheet used as a signal. The term thus encompasses both tangible signs and, in economics, a figurative signaled agreement among firms.