Sign Shop

We accept orders between 2 and 6 weeks before your desired date.  Orders submitted with less than 10 business days’ notice are not guaranteed. If we can accommodate your order, it will be subject to a rush fee as described on our Price List. Orders submitted more than six weeks in advance will be canceled and you will be asked to submit again within the appropriate timeframe. 

Our graphic designers will design your sign at no extra cost.  Please include content, colors, or inspiration for the design when you submit your order.   

If you wish to use your own design you must submit your own file to our exact specifications. A $35 artwork fee will apply to submissions that do not fit our specifications. 

Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to take on logo requests. If this is for a department or group on campus, please reach out to brand@northeastern.edu for a copy of your approved logo. 

Vector files are strongly preferred to ensure high print quality.  If you are choosing to submit a raster-based file instead and the file includes a bleed, please include crop marks and a .25” bleed on all sides.  For all signs, please only submit PDF files.

• Most of our signs are 24×32”
• A-frames are 24”h x 32”w (horizontal) and the top 2” of the design must be free of text or logos so that we have room to punch holes that attach the sign to the frame.
• Bases are 32”h x 24”w (vertical) and the bottom 3” of the design must be free of text or logos so that we have room to punch holes that attach the sign to the base. 

• Easels are 24×32” and typically vertical orientation, but we can make them horizontal at your request.
  
• Signicades are not commonly used, but if you have received permission to use this sign type for your event, the dimensions are 24”w x 36”h (vertical). 

All orders require a six-digit budget number up front, and the amount will be automatically deducted at the end of the next month.  Visit the Payment page for more information.   

Note that we do not provide receipts for nameplates.

Absolutely! Make sure to indicate this on your order form. The frames/bases/stands belong to us, but the sign itself is yours. We will collect them and can store or deliver them to you. We store signs in our inventory that are used at least annually. Signs stored in inventory for more than a year may be thrown away. 

The Sign Shop does not provide easel stands. o You are welcome to use your own or borrow one from Building Services. To request an easel stand(s) from them, please submit a Facilities Work Request via myNortheastern. Choose Category>Event Setup and Type>Other. Please provide the date/time/location of your event and the number of easel stands needed. 

We do! Our staff handles all of our deliveries, setups, and pickups. We’ll place the signs for an agreed-upon duration based on your order form. For event signs, we pick them back up the next (business) morning after your event. Note that we are only open Monday – Friday excluding university holidays. If you request signs to go out/in on the weekend, they will be addressed on the nearest business day. 

No. Please do not attach balloons as they then deflate and create a large tangled mess. If we find that balloons have been attached, you will be charged a $50 fee per order.  

We are not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged signs. We will be happy to make a replacement upon request, but you are responsible for the associated cost. 

Our signs are made of a durable material that can withstand the elements. However, in the event of extremely high winds or excessive snowfall, we will remove all outdoor signs from campus. This is for the safety of our community to avoid any injuries or interference with snow removal. Signs will be reinstalled as soon as it is safe to do so.

Yes! Our rolls of material are 12” wide and can be spliced together, so we can accommodate many orders in-house. If your request is too large and/or you prefer one solid piece, we can coordinate the installation with one of our preferred vendors. Please include a photo and dimensions of the glass when you submit your work request using Signs > Miscellaneous > Frosted Window Treatments. 

Absolutely! Our team works very closely with Northeastern’s Marketing Department. In many cases we can keep your signs the same and update your logo. In other cases, there is an opportunity to refresh the entire design. Please mention the need for a new logo in your order and our staff can help determine which option is best.