Star Wars Movie Poster: The Empire Strikes Back – 1980 Advance Teaser – Wall Art Print
This Star Wars movie poster showcases the iconic 1980 Empire Strikes Back advance teaser design—Darth Vader dominating the center in dramatic blue lighting with glowing chest panel, flanked by X-wing starfighters against a deep space starfield under “The Star Wars Saga Continues” tagline and metallic logo.
Available in seven sizes (9×11″ to 24×36″) on 200 GSM museum-grade matte paper with fade-resistant archival inks.
The deep black and electric blue palette creates a striking minimalist centerpiece perfect for home theaters, Original Trilogy collections, or fans celebrating the greatest Star Wars film.
Digital download also available at $3.90 for DIY printing.
What You will Receive
- Made to order, museum-grade art print. Frame not included unless stated.
- Printed on 200 GSM premium matte paper for crisp detail and zero glare.
- Archival giclée inks that resist fading for decades.
- Multiple size options. Use the selector above.
- Protective packaging: rigid mailer or sturdy tube.
Print Quality
Every print is produced using state-of-the-art giclée technology on heavyweight 200 GSM matte paper. The non-reflective surface eliminates glare while the archival pigment inks deliver rich, accurate colours designed to last a lifetime.
Size Guide
For walls above furniture, choose a print roughly two thirds to three quarters the width of the piece below it. Smaller sizes up to 11x14 inches suit gallery walls. Larger formats of 18x24 inches and above create striking focal points.
Verified Customer Reviews
Shipping
Every order is printed on demand. Processing takes 3 to 5 business days, then ships free worldwide with tracking.
| Region | Processing | Delivery | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 3 to 5 days | 2 to 6 days | 5 to 11 days |
| Canada | 3 to 5 days | 5 to 10 days | 8 to 15 days |
| UK and Europe | 3 to 5 days | 5 to 10 days | 8 to 15 days |
| Australia and NZ | 3 to 5 days | 8 to 15 days | 11 to 20 days |
| Asia | 3 to 5 days | 7 to 15 days | 10 to 20 days |
| Rest of world | 3 to 5 days | 10 to 20 days | 13 to 25 days |
📦 Packaging
Prints up to 12x18 inches ship flat in rigid cardboard mailers with backing board. Larger prints are rolled in sturdy tubes with protective end caps. Every package includes moisture barriers and Handle With Care labels.
Returns and Replacements
- 30 day return window from delivery. No questions asked.
- Report damage within 48 hours with photos for a free replacement.
- Full refunds for eligible returns in original condition.
- Cancel before production starts for a complete refund.
- Return shipping covered for defective or incorrect items.
Need help? info.merchfuse@gmail.com
How to Care for Your Print
Follow these steps to keep your print looking gallery fresh for decades.
Handling
Allow rolled prints to relax flat for 30 to 60 minutes. Handle by the edges with clean, dry hands and avoid touching the printed surface.
Placement
Avoid direct sunlight, heat sources and high humidity areas. North facing walls receive less UV. Use LED or incandescent lighting instead of fluorescent.
Framing
Use acid free mats and UV protective glass or acrylic for maximum longevity. Leave a small gap between print and glazing for airflow.
Cleaning
Dust framed glass with a soft cloth. Spray the cloth, not the glass. For unframed prints, use a dry microfibre cloth and never apply liquids to the surface.
Climate
Keep temperature at 18 to 24 degrees C and humidity at 40 to 60 percent. Avoid attics, basements and garages where conditions swing widely.
Storage
Store flat in acid free folders, interleaved with tissue paper, in a cool dark place. Never fold. Check stored prints annually.
⚠️ Avoid
- Prolonged direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting.
- Bathrooms, kitchens and areas above heat sources.
- Tape, adhesives or liquids applied directly to the print.
- Rolling with the image facing inward as this can crack the ink layer.
- Extreme or rapid temperature and humidity changes.
📊 Expected Lifespan
- 100+ years when framed with UV protective glazing and indirect light.
- 50 to 75 years when framed with standard glass and indirect light.
- 25 to 50 years when stored correctly in darkness.
This Star Wars movie poster is the original 1980 advance teaser design for The Empire Strikes Back, Irvin Kershner’s masterpiece that many consider the greatest Star Wars film ever made. Darth Vader dominates the composition in dramatic three-quarter view, his iconic helmet and mask catching electric blue lighting while his chest control panel glows ominously. X-wing starfighters flank him on either side against a deep space starfield backdrop, while the metallic “THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK” logo centers below with full cast and crew credits. This star wars empire strikes back movie poster uses the “ADVANCE ONE SHEET” designation at the bottom—collector terminology indicating this was an early theatrical teaser released before the film’s summer 1980 premiere. The “Coming to your galaxy this summer” tagline and “THE STAR WARS SAGA CONTINUES” banner capture the anticipation that followed the original film’s cultural phenomenon status.
The Empire Strikes Back introduced the “I am your father” twist, the Battle of Hoth, and a darker tone that elevated Star Wars from space adventure to epic drama. This Star Wars movie poster represents the earliest marketing for that legendary film—pure Vader menace without revealing any plot twists, emphasizing the Imperial threat that would define the sequel.
Why This Star Wars Movie Poster Stands Out
- Design & vibe: This empire strikes back star wars movie poster is minimalist and ominous—all Vader, all threat. The composition strips away ensemble cast montages to focus purely on Vader as the central antagonist, with just X-wings to represent the Rebellion’s resistance. The color palette is dominated by deep space blacks and electric blue glows—cooler and darker than the warm golden tones of A New Hope’s desert aesthetic. Vader’s helmet catches dramatic side lighting that creates dimension and menace, while his glowing chest panel adds the only warm light element. The X-wing placement on either side creates symmetry and scale. The metallic logo treatment gives the title weight and prominence. This is a pre-reveal poster—it was created before audiences knew Vader was Luke’s father, so it plays him as pure villain rather than tragic figure. The “ADVANCE ONE SHEET” designation makes it collectible as an early variant that predates later character-heavy theatrical posters.
- Print quality: Printed on 200 GSM museum-grade matte paper with fade-resistant archival inks. Rich blacks, accurate colors, and a finish that looks sharp with or without glass.
- Sizes available: Choose from seven sizes—9×11″ up to 24×36″—all cut to standard frame-ready dimensions. A high-res digital download ($3.90) is also available if you prefer to print locally or need a custom size.
- Great gift for: Original Trilogy purists who consider Empire the best Star Wars film, Darth Vader collectors, minimalist poster art enthusiasts, advance/teaser poster collectors, or fans who appreciate the darker tone that defined Kershner’s sequel.
Where to Hang This Star Wars Poster
The deep black and electric blue palette of this star wars episode 5 movie poster makes it perfect for dark dramatic spaces—matte black walls where Vader’s blue-lit helmet creates stunning contrast, or dark gray backgrounds that let the starfield and lighting effects shine. It’s ideal for home theaters as part of an Original Trilogy display, especially paired with A New Hope and Return/Revenge of the Jedi advance posters to show the full theatrical marketing evolution. The 18×24″ or 24×36″ sizes give Vader’s helmet detail and the X-wing placement room to create proper scale—the minimalism works best when the elements have space to breathe. This Star Wars movie poster also works beautifully in modern minimalist spaces where the clean composition and limited color palette fit sleek design aesthetics. The Vader focus makes it perfect for villain-themed collections or Imperial/Dark Side artwork displays.
More from MerchFuse
If you love the advance teaser aesthetic of this star wars 5 movie poster, explore our full collection of Star Wars movie posters including other Original Trilogy classics, prequel trilogy designs, and sequel trilogy prints. We also carry Darth Vader character-focused artwork and minimalist teaser poster designs that prioritize iconic imagery over crowded character montages.
Print & Material Details
Every MerchFuse Star Wars movie poster is printed on 200 GSM museum-grade matte paper using fade-resistant archival inks. Colors stay true, blacks stay deep, and the matte finish eliminates glare whether you frame under glass or mount open. All seven sizes (9×11″ through 24×36″) use standard frame dimensions—no custom framing needed.
Prefer to print your own? The digital download option gives you a 300 DPI high-resolution file (PDF/JPG) for $3.90. Print it at your local shop in any size you want.
Disclaimer: This is fan-inspired artwork and an original artistic interpretation. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially licensed by any film studio, production company, or rights holder.
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