Pantomime Printing for London Amateur Theatre Groups: Posters, Programmes and Foam Board Signs

Pantomime printing sounds like a small job. It is not. You have a cast to rehearse, a set to paint and a hall in London to get ready.

Then somebody asks where the posters are. Take a breath. This guide walks through the print you need, what each piece does and how ExactPrint can help you get it all done.

Why Pantomime Printing Needs an Early Start

London’s pantomime season runs from late November and early December, when the large theatres open their doors. If your group is in Hackney, Islington or Southwark, you are working in the same busy season. Everyone wants attention at once. Your poster has to be easy to spot, and your programme has to be easy to love.

Printing takes some planning. Artwork needs checking. Names need spelling right. Somebody always finds a typo the day before the dress rehearsal (and it is nearly always the director’s name, funnily enough).

So, start early. Your future self will say thanks.

The Three Jobs Your Print Must Do

Think of your print as a small team. Each piece has one job.

1. Get noticed. That is the poster.
2. Tell the story. That is the programme.
3. Point the way. That is the sign in the foyer.

Get all three right and the evening feels calm, even when backstage looks like a jumble sale.

Theatre Poster Printing: Get Seen Before the Curtain Rises

Good theatre poster printing starts with one simple question. Can someone read it from across the street? If not, make the title bigger. Then make it bigger again.

ExactPrint prints the artwork you send, so the design stays yours. The poster just has to do its job.

The A2 poster is 420 x 594mm, which makes it a strong pick for busy walls and wide spaces. The A3 poster is 297 x 420mm and fits smaller boards and quieter corners nicely. The A3 poster page lists delivery in London on the day of order, and the A2 poster page lists a same-day option at checkout.

What to Put on the Poster

Less is more here. People walk past posters fast, so stick to the basics.

• The show name, big and bold
• One strong picture, not five
• Dates and times
• Where the show is happening
• A web address or phone number for more details

A2 or A3? A Simple Way to Choose

Walk around your area with a pen and paper. Note every spot where a poster could go. A busy wall with lots of passing feet? That is an A2 spot. A small board by a doorway? That is an A3 spot. You can use both, of course.

Pick colours that stand apart. Dark words on a pale background work well, and so does the reverse. Pale on pale disappears from a distance, and so does dark on dark. Hold your design at arm’s length, then step back a few paces. If you can still read it, you are in good shape.

Programme Printing: A Small Booklet with a Big Job

A programme is a stapled brochure, so programme printing comes down to choosing a size. The A5 stapled brochure is 148 x 210mm. The A4 stapled brochure is 210 x 297mm. Both give you a neat booklet to hand over at the door.

Keep the layout tidy, because a crowded page makes a cast list hard to find. ExactPrint’s A5 stapled brochure page lists same-day delivery at checkout for urgent orders, and the A4 page lists same-day dispatch.

Inside, you can fit the cast list, a note from the director and thanks to your volunteers. Put the names in the order you want, then check them twice. Then ask someone else to check them a third time. Nobody forgives a misspelt name, not even a very kind cast.

Ideas for the Inside Pages

• A welcome note from the director
• The cast and the parts they play
• The crew, from lights to costumes
• A thank you to helpers and volunteers
• A short story summary for anyone new to the tale
• Photos from rehearsal

A5 or A4 Programme: Which One Suits Your Show?

Still stuck? Count your cast. A big cast with lots of thank yous will probably want the larger page. A small group with a short, sweet show can happily stay with the smaller one.

Front-of-House Foam Board Signs for Your Foyer

The foyer is where your night begins. People arrive, shake off the cold, take off their coats and look around. Front-of-house foam board signs tell them where to go before they have to ask.

Foam board is a paper-faced foam core, made for indoor and short-term outdoor display. That makes it a good match for a foyer, as long as you keep it inside. The A1 foam board is 594 x 841mm, which is big enough to read from a few steps away. ExactPrint’s A1 foam board page lists same-day printing and mounting.

Sign Ideas for the Foyer

• A welcome sign with your show name
• Directions to the main hall
• A thank you board for volunteers and helpers
• A cast board with names and parts
• A reminder about the interval

Make the letters large. Someone walking through a busy foyer reads a sign in about a second, so short words win. “Hall this way” beats a long sentence every time.

Keep these signs inside, where a foyer is a good home for them.

One More Idea: A Pull Up Roller Banner

Some groups like one tall, bold piece near the door. A pull up roller banner does that job well. Put your artwork on the pull up roller banner at 800 x 2000mm and let the height do the work. The banner page lists same-day delivery across London.

Keep the words few. People walk past a roller banner; they do not stop to read a novel. A show name, a date and one cheerful picture is plenty. Leave some empty space too. Space is not wasted; it gives the eye a place to rest.

A Simple Order for Your Print Jobs

Print feels easier when you take it one step at a time. Here is a plan you can tick off.

1. Fix your show dates and venue details.
2. Finish the poster artwork and check every word.
3. Write the programme and proofread it.
4. Plan the signs you need in the foyer.
5. Decide if a roller banner fits your space.
6. Send your final files, then read everything one last time.

That last read matters more than it sounds. Fresh eyes catch things tired eyes miss.

Print Mistakes to Dodge

Every group makes a few of these. You can skip them.

• Tiny text. If you have to squint, it is too small.
• Too much on one poster. Pick one main message and let it shine.
• Old details. Check dates and the venue twice.
• Late artwork. Send files early so there is time to fix things.
• Missing credits. Thank your helpers. They will remember.

A Quick Note on Scripts

Scripts and performance licences are not covered in this guide. For those, ask your production’s rights holder.

Pantomime Printing Made Simple: Start with the Poster

Pantomime printing comes down to three things. Be seen, be clear and be ready. A poster gets people interested. A programme gives them something to hold. A foyer sign keeps the evening moving.

Give your audience across London a reason to pick your show this winter. Start with the A2 poster and build from there. ExactPrint is ready when your artwork is.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size poster works best for a pantomime?

A2 at 420 x 594mm suits busy walls and wide spaces. A3 at 297 x 420mm suits smaller boards and quieter corners. Choose by where the poster will hang, and you can use both sizes.

Is a programme the same as a stapled brochure?

Yes. A programme is a stapled brochure, so choose A5 at 148 x 210mm or A4 at 210 x 297mm. Pick A5 for a smaller booklet and A4 for more room for names and photos.

Can foam board signs go outside?

Foam board is a paper-faced foam core for indoor and short-term outdoor display, but foyer signs should stay inside. For tougher or longer outdoor use, Foamex is the option to look at instead.

What artwork do I need to send for programmes?

Send finished artwork with every name, date and credit checked. Whatever you supply is what gets printed, so the final look is up to you. Ask a friend to proofread everything first.

When should we start planning our print?

Start as soon as your show dates are set. Pantomime season runs from late November and early December, so plenty is happening. Early planning leaves time to check artwork calmly and fix any slips.