Vintage Ads: 25 Inspiring Vintage Print Ads

There is something about vintage ads that invoke a sense of nostalgia in us. They make us realize how far we have come in the world of advertising and technology.

All vintage ads reflect how much culture influenced advertising; these days are well and truly gone but the beautiful designs live on.

What is really captivating about these ads is that for many of them there was no Photoshop for retouches and many ads featured illustrations rather than photographs.

Vintage ads are creative and very aesthetically pleasing. They are well shot, have an interesting concept with incredible attention to typography and layout. Some contemporary websites are implementing design features of vintage and retro advertising. The old fashion design trend has become popular and effective in attracting visitors, for example, Target Scope.

Today vintage ads are used to spark inspiration for many designers, so let’s travel back in time and checkout some amazing inspirational vintage ads.

If you’re interested in more inspirational ads, check out these posts:

• Brilliant and Clever Food Advertisements
• Spectacular Examples of Typography in Print Ads
• 50 Great Typography Artworks in Print Ads
• 40 Funny and Clever Print Ads from Brands Around the World

Inspiring Vintage Ads:

Magnavox Odyssey 2, 1978

Sony (USA) 1960

Volkswagen

Ford fairlane convertible (USA) 1960

Motorola 1957

AC Spark Plugs (USA) 1960

Natural Wonder Nail Polish

1950s Lipstick Ad

Fender Telecaster Ad – (1974)

Roland GR-500 Synthesizer Ad – (1977)

Taylor Guitar Ad – (1979)

Lubrication is a matter of timing Time, March 13, 1972

Winter Warmer Playboy, February 1966

Good years 1937

The Secret of Texaco’s Success 1935

The 1940s-ad for perfume

The 1940s-ad for hair accessories

The 1940s-ad for jewels

The 1940s-ad for perfume

1963 Lightolier Ad

Painting by numbers 1967

Inclement Weather 1963

50′s Swimsuit Ad Germany

BC Apples 1950

Ferrari 1982