Posters were first invented in France during the mid 19th century. Although the first poster was printed by a French gentleman called Jules Cheret in the year 1897. When they first came out they were used to promote new products that were being manufactured in France, for theatre and operas that were to be staged. Within a span of a few years the trend spread to the rest of Europe. Cheret used the 4 color lithographic printing method to manufacture the first 'printed poster' which brought together not just images but also text. Once the printing press had advanced and could function more efficiently, posters were printed bulk in all kinds of shapes, sizes and colors. The first poster that was ever printed by Jules Cheret was in 1858 called 'Orphée aux Enfants.'