Plakwerk

Plakwerk is a form of visual communication and street art in which posters or adhesive artworks are produced and installed on urban surfaces. The term, used in Dutch-speaking contexts, covers both commercial poster campaigns and independent poster art. Practitioners may create paper posters, stickers, or wheatpaste pieces that are affixed to walls, poles, or vacant spaces in public or semi-public areas. The technique often relies on low-budget, fast-deployable methods: printed posters applied with an adhesive mixture (commonly wheatpaste or glue) and, in some cases, pre-cut vinyl or paper elements.

Historically, plakwerk developed with the rise of mass urban media, when posters could quickly disseminate information and imagery to large audiences. In the Netherlands and Belgium, it is recognized as a traditional craft as well as a medium for contemporary graphic design and street art. The practice is frequently ephemeral, with works subject to weather, removal by authorities, or replacement by new posters.

In practice, plakwerk intersects with both commercial advertising and artistic expression. Designers and artists use typography, color, and repetition to create visual impact, often using repeated motifs and series. Contemporary plakwerk enthusiasts emphasize legibility, bold contrasts, and rapid recognition in the urban environment, while some works function as interventions or commentary on public space.

Legal and ethical considerations vary by location. Public posting can be illegal without permission, leading to enforcement actions, while many cities also maintain sanctioned spaces or "legal walls" for poster art. The term thus encompasses a spectrum from illicit paste-ups to curated street-art interventions.