Poster, printed paper announcement or advertisement that is exhibited publicly. Whether promoting a product, an event, or a sentiment (such as patriotism), a poster must immediately catch the attention of the passerby. There is no set way to accomplish this; success can stem, for example, from the instantaneous impact of a concise, striking design or from the sumptuous appeal of an ornate work of art. By extension, the term poster is used to denote a paper panel printed for display as a novelty or as a work of art.