Reklamaffischen

Reklamaffischen refers to advertising posters used to promote goods, events, or political messages, typically affixed in public urban spaces. The term is used in Swedish and Norwegian contexts, among others, and denotes a genre of public-facing graphic communication that relies on quick visual impact and brief copy.

Historically, rekla­maffischen emerged with advances in print technology in the 19th century. Lithography and later chromolithography made mass production of large-format posters affordable. Printers and advertising agencies produced posters for theaters, retailers, products, and public campaigns. Posters were displayed on building facades, street kiosks, and tram or train stations, often replacing older notices after a set display period. Removal, weather, and urban renewal affected their survival, making many examples rare.

Design characteristics: posters emphasized a strong focal image, bold typography, and a limited color palette to ensure legibility from a distance. Copy was concise, arranged in a clear visual hierarchy so that the essential message read at a glance. Common motifs included product illustrations, portraits of performers, or scenes conveying lifestyle. Across regions, prevailing styles ranged from ornate late-19th-century lithography to modernist poster art of the interwar period.

Impact and legacy: reklamaffischen contributed to urban visual culture and consumer society, shaping brand recognition and event marketing. They provided a public interface for art and illustration, and many works are now valued as historical design artifacts. In the digital era, traditional posters are preserved in archives and museums, studied for typography, layout, and sociocultural context, while contemporary poster campaigns draw on their conventions.