Description

Rock Posters is a working street poster printing factory in Thornbury that has been bringing the Melbourne’s streets and laneways to life for more than 40 years. From inside this edgy industrial space, iconic and captivating street posters for concerts, festivals and major cultural events are printed and distributed for installation across Australia.

The building itself is a working, production-focused space, where the rhythm of machinery and the scent of fresh ink are part of everyday operations. It’s a place where analogue craft continues to thrive and retain enduring relevance in a fast-paced digital world.

Inside, visitors will discover an extraordinary display of the extensive archive of original posters spanning decades of Australian music history. The collection reveals changing design trends and cultural moments, featuring work created for some of the world’s most iconic artists and biggest tours.

Rock Posters offers a rare opportunity to see a behind-the-scenes creative industry at work: a space where design meets production, and where Melbourne’s live music story is printed in large scale, ready for the streets. 

As the late legendary promotor Michael Gudinski AM said: 'The music without the art is like the rock without the roll.'

What's On

Enjoy a free guided tour of the Rock Posters print factory and get a glimpse of the factory's extensive archive.

Marcus Seal, Rock Poster’s general manager and stalwart of the Australian music industry, will walk guests through the history of the business, the evolution of street poster design and the step-by-step printing process.

Visitors will see the machinery in action and meet the skilled printers who operate the presses. There will be opportunities for Q&A with Marcus and printing team, offering insight into the craft, technical skills and fascinating stories behind some of Melbourne’s most recognisable gig posters. 

In Collaboration With:

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  Marcus Seal

  20 years ago, Marcus Seal stepped into the music and entertainment world and has been in the thick of it ever since.  
  
   Early on, he led Shock Entertainment Group as CEO and went on to work across record labels, live touring, agencies and major events: from international marketing roles at Sony Music to leading commercial marketing for hundreds of shows each year at Live Nation Australasia. He later moved into agency leadership at The M Agency, working with partners like American Express and Cirque du Soleil. Across it all, he’s built a career that sits at the intersection of culture, business and the audience. Just like Rock Posters. 
  
  Along the way he’s led teams, rebuilt businesses and pursued ways to make things work better, commercially and operationally. Not for the sake of it, but to support the work and the people behind it.
  
  Now, as General Manager of Rock Posters, Marcus has helped reposition the business for a new era, expanding its reach beyond its origins in live music into government and community sectors, while strengthening the systems and foundations underneath it. He has also brought a strong focus to sustainability, leading initiatives recognised at a state level, including Premier’s Sustainability Award (2022) and pushing the business to think more broadly about its role in the cultural and environmental landscape.
  
   Marcus is deeply passionate about Rock Posters and the role it plays across the industries it supports, especially music. He’s steady, curious and deeply connected with the people and organisations across the sector he’s been part of for decades. At his core, he understands how culture moves, how audiences respond, and how to build something that lasts. 

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  Luke Stewart

  27 years ago, Luke Stewart took a risk. He left Noosa for Sydney to follow a passion for printing, not knowing exactly where it would lead. Nearly three decades on, he’s become a quiet, dedicated presence in Australia’s music and cultural scene, working at the intersection of design and gigs.
  
  Luke is a music lover first. Always has been. His work isn’t about making advertising for the sake of it. It’s about understanding the moment, the band, the audience…and creating something that feels right in the street or laneway.
  
  Over time, his posters have become part of the backdrop to thousands of gigs, nights out and memories woven into the fabric of the cities they live in. He works tirelessly to support the designers and promotors to make their poster land with the greatest impact. No fuss. No ego. Just a deep commitment to the craft and to the culture.