MakeSigns
MakeSigns, operating as PosterNerd, is a US-based specialized e-commerce printer that produces custom paper and fabric scientific posters, accessories, and free PowerPoint templates for academic researchers presenting at conferences.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersTinley Park, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
MakeSigns firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MakeSigns
- Legal name
- Graphicsland, Inc.
- Website
- https://makesigns.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MakeSigns, operating as PosterNerd, is a US-based specialized e-commerce printer that produces custom paper and fabric scientific posters, accessories, and free PowerPoint templates for academic researchers presenting at conferences.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MakeSigns industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom scientific poster printing services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Printing (32312), Graphic Design Services (541430)
- SIC
- Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Finishing & Post-Press Services (Cutting, Folding, Collating, Laminating, Foil, Emboss) (MPAJALAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Prepress, Plate-Making & Artwork Services (IMALAKAM)
Keywords
Where MakeSigns is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tinley Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MakeSigns business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Poster Printing Sales: One-time transaction revenue from printing and selling scientific posters to researchers and academics. Customers purchase paper or fabric posters along with optional accessories like carrying straps.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
MakeSigns product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MakeSigns (dba PosterNerd) is a U.S. scientific poster printing service that produces custom paper and fabric research posters on demand. Customers upload their own poster designs through the company website, choose size and finish (glossy or matte paper, or wrinkle-resistant foldable fabric), and add optional accessories such as elastic shoulder straps for carrying tubes. The service is targeted at academic researchers and scientists preparing conference and symposium presentations.
Product overview
PosterNerd is a scientific poster printing service with 20+ years of experience offering two core poster products (Paper Scientific Posters and Fabric Scientific Posters), supported by add-on accessories (elastic straps for cardboard tubes). The company provides free resources including PowerPoint poster templates, partner school templates, poster groups, and tutorials. The product portfolio centers on a straightforward e-commerce ordering platform with emphasis on print quality assurance and customer service.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Paper Scientific Poster
Companies that use MakeSigns
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
MakeSigns technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
MakeSigns partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Partner Academic InstitutionsminorPartner institutions receive custom poster templates branded for their school. The website displays partner logos and offers specialized templates for these partner schools. No specific partner names or partnership details are provided.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
MakeSigns competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- PhD Posters: PhD Posters is a direct competitor offering online large-format poster printing aimed at the same academic researcher and graduate-student segment. It offers paper and fabric posters, templates, and self-serve ordering, making it the closest head-to-head competitor to PosterNerd/MakeSigns.
- 4over: 4over is an online commercial printing marketplace offering large-format posters, banners, and signage with self-serve ordering. Overlaps with MakeSigns on the large-format print workflow and self-serve e-commerce model, though it serves a broader SMB base including academic buyers.
- UPrinting: UPrinting is an online commercial printing service offering posters, banners, signs, and marketing materials via a self-serve website. Comparable to MakeSigns on the e-commerce-first large-format print model and customer experience.
- PrintingForLess: PrintingForLess is an online commercial printer offering large-format products, signage, and marketing materials with a self-serve ordering portal. Strong overlap with MakeSigns on the small-team, direct-to-customer print service model.
- PsPrint: PsPrint is an online commercial printing company offering posters, signs, banners, and marketing collateral with same-day and next-day options. Comparable self-serve large-format value proposition targeting small business and individual buyers.
- Mega Print USA: Mega Print USA provides large-format printing of banners, posters, signs, and trade show graphics. Directly comparable to MakeSigns on the large-format print product category, online ordering experience, and SMB/individual customer base.
- CatPrint: CatPrint is an online commercial printer specializing in posters, signs, and large-format products for academic, small business, and individual customers. Strong direct overlap with MakeSigns on the online academic poster niche and self-serve ordering.
Broad incumbents
- Vistaprint: Vistaprint is a large online printing incumbent offering business cards, marketing materials, signage, and large-format products. Comparable to MakeSigns on the e-commerce print ordering model, but operates as a broad SMB platform rather than a scientific niche specialist.
- FedEx Office (FedEx Print & Ship): FedEx Office is a large retail and online printing network offering large-format posters, banners, and document printing. Represents a broad incumbent with overlapping products but relies on retail locations rather than a specialist academic focus.
Emerging players
- MOO: MOO is a design-driven online print service for business cards, marketing materials, and large-format products. Comparable to MakeSigns on the design-led self-serve model and direct-to-consumer brand building, though it serves SMB and creative buyers rather than academic researchers specifically.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MakeSigns social profiles
Digital presenceMakeSigns financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MakeSigns leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
MakeSigns funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MakeSigns M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MakeSigns
What does MakeSigns do?
MakeSigns (dba PosterNerd) is a U.S. scientific poster printing service that produces custom paper and fabric research posters on demand. Customers upload their own poster designs through the company website, choose size and finish (glossy or matte paper, or wrinkle-resistant foldable fabric), and add optional accessories such as elastic shoulder straps for carrying tubes. The service is targeted at academic researchers and scientists preparing conference and symposium presentations.
Is MakeSigns a public or private company?
MakeSigns is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was MakeSigns founded?
MakeSigns was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MakeSigns based?
MakeSigns is headquartered in Tinley Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does MakeSigns make money?
One revenue line is on record: poster Printing Sales.
Who are MakeSigns's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are PhD Posters, 4over, UPrinting, PrintingForLess, PsPrint, Mega Print USA and CatPrint. Broad incumbents are Vistaprint and FedEx Office (FedEx Print & Ship). MOO is listed as an emerging player.
Does MakeSigns have an API?
No public API is recorded for MakeSigns.
What industry is MakeSigns in?
MakeSigns's product category is Custom scientific poster printing services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJALAF, Finishing & Post-Press Services (Cutting, Folding, Collating, Laminating, Foil, Emboss), with a secondary code of IMALAKAM, Prepress, Plate-Making & Artwork Services. Its NAICS code is 32312 and its SIC code is 7330.