A vast majority of pre-1980's movie posters were issued folded by the studios. Linen-backing achieves the effect of flattening the folds as well as making the poster more visually alluring, whilst conserving and preserving the piece.
By linen backing these posters, the folds and minor defects become virtually undetectable at normal viewing distance.
Film posters are traditionally designed and printed on paper, however with time, the acid in the paper gradually breaks down the structure of the material which is further accelerated by exposure to sunlight, atmospheric pollutants etc.
Advantages of Linen-backing a poster:
AT THE MOVIES: LINEN-BACKING PRICES 2015
POSTER | SIZE IN INCHES | LINEN-BACKING Posters purchased from ATM | LINEN-BACKING Posters NOT purchased from ATM |
PHOTO-STILL | 8 x 10 | N/A | N/A |
US LOBBY CARD | 11 x 14 | £100 | £125 |
ITALIAN LOCANDINA | 13 x 28 | £125 | £175 |
US WINDOW CARD | 14 x 22 | £125 | £175 |
AUSTRALIAN DAYBILL | 13 x 30 | £125 | £175 |
ITALIAN PHOTOBUSTA | 19 x 27 | £150 | £175 |
US INSERT | 14 x 36 | £150 | £225 |
DOUBLE CROWN | 20 x 30 | £150 | £225 |
US HALF SHEET | 22 x 28 | £175 | £225 |
GERMAN & FRENCH | 23 x 33 | £175 | £225 |
BRITISH QUAD | 30 x 40 | £200 | £300 |
US ONE SHEET | 27 x 41 | £200 | £300 |
JAPANESE 2 PANEL | 20 x 58 | £250 | £350 |
ITALIAN 2 FOGLIO | 39 x 55 | £350 | £475 |
US 40 x 60 | 40 x 60 | £350 | £450 |
FRENCH ONE PANEL | 47 x 63 | £375 | £500 |
US THREE SHEET | 41 x 81 | £500 | £675 |
ITALIAN 4 FOGLIO | 55 x 79 | £550 | £750 |