What size should my posters be?
What size should my handbills be?
How many posters and/or handbills is the right amount?
I have multiple events. How should I advertise them?
My poster is for an ongoing show and doesn’t have exact dates. Is that okay?
Do you have any tips for poster design?
When should my materials be ready for distribution?
How do I get my materials to you?
Where can I expect to see my materials displayed?
Can I request specific neighborhood distributions?
I didn’t see my poster in a place that I expected to see it. Why not?
Do you accept custom lists?
How long will my poster stay up?
How does billing work?
Do you have liability coverage?
Is there anything that Pin Up won't pin up?
What’s a worker cooperative? Why do you call yourself a “collective”?
Where can I print my posters?

What size should my posters be?

We have three poster sizes: 8.5"x11", 11”x17”, and oversize. We charge more for oversize because the posters are often bulkier to carry and they’re harder to post when space is limited. If you’re looking for increased visibility, consider actually going with a smaller size poster, since we’ll be able to get it in places that bigger posters won’t fit. Some clients even choose the classic 8.5”x11” size because many coffee shops only accept this size. If you do choose oversize posters, please limit them to 18”x20”.

What size should my handbills be?

We consider 6”x8” or 4"x9" and below to be standard handbill size. We charge more for oversize and for folded pamphlets because it significantly adds to the weight that we carry on our bikes. We encourage clients to choose a standard-sized handbill if possible because some locations have limited display space. “Handbills” that are 8.5”x11” are considered posters.

How many posters and/or handbills is the right amount?

Generally, for a full city and outer-zone distribution, we recommend no more than 300 posters and 1500 handbills (with 10 handbills per drop). This number may fluctuate seasonally. We are honest about our capacity. We want to help you advertise by getting your materials into the most visible spots and the spots that we know won’t get your poster torn down the next day. We also have a “no dumping” policy, meaning that we won’t dump a bunch of flyers in one place just to unload them.

I have multiple events. How should I advertise them?

For venues with regular events, we recommend a month-long calendar that gets cycled out each month.

My poster is for an ongoing show and doesn’t have exact dates. Is that okay?

We recommend printing a date on your poster so businesses and other posterers know how long it is meant to stay posted. We cannot accept materials without dates because the shops that graciously allow us to post really want to keep materials circulating so that their space doesn't fill up too quickly or get cluttered with competing ads.

Do you have any tips for poster design?

More attractive posters tend to be easier to post and stay up for longer. If you have a recurring event, it’s also a good idea to switch up the design every time so it’s obvious that the poster is advertising for a different event date.

When should my materials be ready for distribution?

Getting your materials to us 4 weeks before your event is ideal. Promoting an event too early is risky; your poster might get torn down by management or another posterer before the event date is anywhere close. Conversely, it is difficult to sufficiently promote for events with less than three weeks notice, particularly as a result of our one-week turnaround.

How do I get my materials to you?

We have a convenient drop off location at 460 Melwood Ave. in the North Oakland neighborhood! Please only drop off materials after your job has been confirmed.
If you are unable to drop off, we provide a pickup service for $15. Please schedule the pickup with us ahead of time.

Where can I expect to see my materials displayed?

We post in coffee shops, grocery stores, restaurants, bars, colleges, libraries, tattoo shops, music stores, and any number of other businesses around the city. We have built solid relationships with business owners who graciously let us use their windows, bulletins, refrigerator fronts, defunct payphones—you name it—to put up posters. By maintaining these relationships through mutual respect, we ensure the continued use of their space for advertising our clients’ events. We always ask before posting in an unfamiliar place!

Can I request specific neighborhood distributions?

Yes! Just indicate which neighborhoods you’d like on your job request form.

I didn’t see my poster in a place that I expected to see it. Why not?

Posting space can, at times, be very limited! We don’t tear down or post over other organizations’ posters unless the event has passed. We prefer to show our clients and other organizations the respect they deserve, even if it means that we have to skip a posting location that week because the board is full. In many places, we single-handedly manage bulletin boards and windows, keeping the displays orderly and visible. If you would like to see your poster in a place that we missed, please let us know!

Do you accept custom lists?

We accept lists of places you’d like to see your materials and for no extra cost we use these lists as guides to our distribution. We aren’t able to guarantee that we can get your poster up at every location on your list, however, because a location might not accept posters or their poster space might be full that week. We do not track drop-off locations.

How long will my poster stay up?

As a general good practice, we respectfully take down what we post after it expires—although once a poster is out of our hands, it is vulnerable to the whims of business owners, other posterers, and the general public. There are a handful of locations that rotate posters out after one week. If your poster advertises an event that lasts a very long time, our policy is to cycle out the poster after 4 weeks.

How does billing work?

We generally bill after we receive and count your materials. Payment is due upon receipt of the invoice, unless other arrangements are made. First time clients need to pay up front before we distribute your materials. If we do not receive payment within 30 days, we will add a 5% late fee to the invoice. For a price quote, please see our pricing calculator page. Checks can be mailed to 460 Melwood Ave., Ste 212, PGH, PA 15213.

Do you have liability coverage?

No, not at this time.

Is there anything Pin Up won't pin up?

Pin Up reserves the right to refuse to distribute flyers containing content we believe to be racist, sexist, homophobic, or promoting animal cruelty. We also reserve the right to refuse work from organizations that we consider to be any of the above. Further, we only promote secular, non-partisan, and non-commercial events.

What’s a worker cooperative? Why do you call yourself a “collective”?

We are equal owners in the business and we make decisions collectively. We have no bosses and are accountable only to each other and to our clients. We are proud to have built this business on non-exploitative labor!

Where can I print my posters?

Anywhere you choose, but we are now partnering with PGH Print Ship. They are a one-stop shop for printing posters and handbills, as well as placing an order with Pin Up through their website. They will also take care of delivery to our office, which cuts out a step for you!