# Italian Movie Poster Glossary: 57 Terms in English

> Italian movie poster glossary: locandina, fotobusta, foglio, riedizione, telato, bozzetto and 51 more Italian collecting terms explained in plain English.

Canonical: https://locandinebest.net/italian-poster-glossary
Updated: 2026-11-01

This Italian movie poster glossary translates the words you meet in Italian dealer listings, auction catalogues and on the posters themselves — from **locandina** and **fotobusta** to **telato**, **riedizione** and **bozzetto** — into plain English, with what each one tells you about the poster.

## Formats

**Format terms**

| Italian | English | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Locandina (pl. locandine) | Small poster | ≈ 33 × 70 cm |
| Manifesto | Poster | Any large poster |
| Foglio (pl. fogli) | Sheet | Unit of ≈ 70 × 100 cm |
| 1 foglio / soggettone | One-sheet | ≈ 70 × 100 cm |
| 2 fogli | Two-sheet | ≈ 100 × 140 cm |
| 4 fogli | Four-sheet | ≈ 140 × 200 cm, two pieces |
| Fotobusta (pl. fotobuste) | Lobby card | ≈ 47 × 68 or 35 × 50 cm |
| Verticale / orizzontale | Portrait / landscape | Orientation |
| Cartolina | Postcard | Promotional card |
| Brochure / flano | Brochure / press ad | Press material |

## Edition and origin

**Edition terms**

| Italian | English | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Prima edizione / prima uscita | First edition / first release | Printed for the premiere run |
| Riedizione | Re-release | Printed for a later run |
| Edizione originale | Original edition | Sometimes used loosely; ask which release |
| Ristampa | Reprint | Often a later or unofficial print |
| Riproduzione | Reproduction | Not a period poster |
| Distribuzione | Distribution | The releasing company |
| Stampa / tipografia / litografia | Print / printing works / lithograph | The printer's credit |
| Bozzetto | Original artwork (maquette) | The painter's unique painting |
| Firmato | Signed | Usually signed in the artwork |
| Illustratore / pittore | Illustrator / painter | The artist |

## Condition and conservation

**Condition terms**

| Italian | English |
| --- | --- |
| Ottimo stato | Excellent condition |
| Buono stato | Good condition |
| Discreto | Fair |
| Piegato / pieghe | Folded / folds |
| Arrotolato | Rolled |
| Telato | Linen-backed |
| Restaurato | Restored |
| Strappi / strappetti | Tears / small tears |
| Mancanze | Paper losses |
| Fori di puntine | Pin holes |
| Macchie | Stains |
| Scolorito | Faded |
| Nastro adesivo | Adhesive tape |
| Timbro | Stamp (e.g. a cinema's) |

## Words printed on the poster

**Common poster wording**

| Italian | English |
| --- | --- |
| Regia di | Directed by |
| Con | Starring |
| Prossimamente | Coming soon |
| Oggi / Da oggi | Today / From today |
| Vietato ai minori di 14 / 18 anni | Forbidden to under-14s / under-18s (from 1962) |
| Vietato ai minori di 16 anni | Forbidden to under-16s (the age limit before 1962) |
| A colori | In colour |
| Un film di | A film by |
| Prodotto da | Produced by |
| Musiche di | Music by |
| Soggetto e sceneggiatura | Story and screenplay |
| Tratto dal romanzo di | Based on the novel by |
| Ritorna | Returns (often on a re-release) |

## Buying and selling

**Terms in dealer listings and auction catalogues**

| Italian | English | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Originale d'epoca | Period original | Printed at the time of a release |
| Asta | Auction | Also "casa d'aste", auction house |
| Lotto | Lot | One item or group sold together |
| Base d'asta | Starting price | The opening bid |
| Stima | Estimate | The auction house's expected price |
| Aggiudicato | Hammer price / sold | Before buyer's premium |
| Diritti d'asta | Buyer's premium | Added to the hammer price |
| Misure | Measurements | Usually in cm, width × height or the reverse |
| Spedizione in tubo | Shipped in a tube | For rolled or linen-backed posters |
| Piegato in origine | Folded as issued | Original folds, not later ones |

## Frequently asked questions

### What does telato mean?

Linen-backed: the poster has been mounted on canvas by a conservator.

### What is a bozzetto?

The painter's original artwork for a poster, a unique painting rather than a print.

### What does 'vietato ai minori di 18 anni' mean on a poster?

Forbidden to under-18s — the film's age restriction in Italy. Before 1962 the limit was 16, so a 14 or 18 banner on a poster of an older film suggests a later re-release.

### What does 'originale d'epoca' mean?

A period original: a poster printed at the time of a release, as opposed to a reproduction. Ask which release, because a re-release poster is also a period original.

### What is the difference between 'base d'asta' and 'stima'?

The base d'asta is the starting price of an auction lot; the stima is the auction house's estimate of what it will sell for. The final price adds the diritti d'asta, the buyer's premium.