Frequently Asked Questions
What are acorn signs?
Toronto's acorn street signs are a distinctive piece of the city's civic identity. Originally manufactured by Rosco in the early and mid 20th century, they're named for the upward-pointing acorn finial at the top centre of the frame.
They're still found throughout older Toronto neighbourhoods, though many have been replaced over the decades. Acorn416 produces handcrafted replicas that aim to capture their geometry, typography, and quiet authority - as small handheld replicas and large, wall-mounted pieces.
What's the difference between Standard, Weathered, and Natural finish?
Standard finish signs have a clean white background, sharp black lettering, and a matte black frame - close to how the signs looked when freshly installed. Weathered finish signs are intentionally aged, with rust tones on the background edges and frame that reference decades of Toronto winters. Natural finish is available on Wall Signs only: an unpainted, stained and varnished wood finish. All finishes are applied by hand.
How big are the miniature signs?
All signs are between 1.77" (45 mm) and 1.81" (46 mm) tall including the finial. Width varies by sign:
- Extra Large - 4.72" (120 mm)
- Large - 4.33" (110 mm)
- Medium - 3.93" (100 mm)
- Small - 3.54" (90 mm)
Small enough to hold. Raised lettering you can feel. Each product page includes in-hand photos to help you picture their actual scale.
Do you make signs for any Toronto street or neighbourhood?
The streets and neighbourhoods in each collection are selected for historical, geographic, or emotional resonance - they aren't chosen at random or by popularity. Custom orders are available for real Toronto streets, including some historical streets that have since been renamed. If you're not sure whether your street qualifies, just ask before submitting a request.
Signs with proper names (people, businesses), corporate or promotional messaging, or content I consider inappropriate won't be made. I reserve the right to decline any custom request.
What are Wall Signs?
Wall Signs are large, wall-mounted replicas of Toronto's acorn street signs, built for real presence in a room. Constructed from Baltic birch plywood and finished by hand in Toronto, each piece carries the raised lettering and frame-and-finial silhouette that defines the acorn sign design, at a size made for the wall rather than the hand. Mounting hardware comes pre-installed, ready to hang.
How big are the Wall Signs?
All Wall Signs share the same height: 4.65" (118.0 mm). Width varies by size:
- Extra Large - 11.81" (300 mm)
- Large - 10.83" (275 mm)
- Medium - 9.84" (250 mm)
- Small - 8.86" (225 mm)
Each product page includes in-hand and on-wall photos to help you picture the real scale.
How are Wall Signs made?
Each Wall Sign is built, finished, and assembled by hand in Toronto - one at a time. The sign is built from Baltic birch plywood, hand-finished with raised lettering and a 3D printed frame and finial. No two pieces are identical. Minor variations in finish are a natural result of the process and part of what makes each object its own piece.
How are Wall Signs shipped?
Each Wall Sign ships in a corrugated box fitted with a custom cardboard cage that holds the piece securely in place, including a dedicated void for the finial, so nothing shifts in transit. All Wall Sign orders ship tracked and fully insured through a Canadian courier partner. Free shipping on all orders over $150.
What do the Wall Signs cost?
In-stock Wall Signs range from $450 to $600. All prices are in Canadian dollars.
How do I mount a Wall Sign?
Wall Signs mount with an included flush mount bracket, no visible screws once hung. Drill two holes, set the anchors, hang your sign, done. Full instructions are available here. Prefer not to drill? The bracket and pads can be removed for use with 3M Command Strips or a similar product.
Can I order a sign for a specific street or address?
Yes. Custom handcrafted miniature street signs are available and made to order. Here's how the process works:
- Submit a custom request using the form on this page
- I review the request and either approve or decline - you'll hear back either way
- If approved, I'll send an invoice
- Once payment is received, production begins
- Your miniature sign ships within approximately two to three weeks of your order being placed
Custom miniature signs are produced in Standard finish only and are priced at $350 CAD all in. Custom orders ship with tracked, insured, signature-confirmed delivery included.
Can I order a sign for a specific street or address?
Yes. Custom handcrafted miniature street signs are available and made to order. Here's how the process works:
- Submit a custom request using the form on this page
- I review the request and either approve or decline - you'll hear back either way
- If approved, I'll send an invoice
- Once payment is received, production begins
- Your miniature sign ships within approximately two to three weeks of your order being placed
Custom miniature signs are produced in Standard finish only and are priced at $350 CAD all in. Custom orders ship with tracked, insured, signature-confirmed delivery included.
Custom Wall Sign commissions aren't available yet. Wall Signs are currently offered premade only, in the styles and neighbourhoods shown in the collection.
Where do you ship?
Currently shipping within Canada only. If you're outside Canada and interested in an order, get in touch - shipping options may expand based on demand.
How much does shipping cost for the miniature signs?
Shipping depends on your order total:
- Untracked - Canada Post Oversize Lettermail via the Slotbox flat mailer. A low-cost option for buyers comfortable shipping without tracking. $8 flat anywhere in Canada, available on orders under $150.
- Tracked - Canada Post Oversize Lettermail with Registered Mail add-on. Includes tracking, signature confirmation, and insurance for the full value of your order. $20 flat anywhere in Canada on orders under $150; included at no charge on orders of $150 or more.
Custom orders ship tracked and insured at no additional charge.
How long does shipping take?
In-stock orders are typically processed and shipped within one to two business days. Canada Post estimates delivery in two to four business days for most Canadian addresses once in the mail - allow up to a week to be safe. Custom orders require approximately two to three weeks from order confirmation to delivery, including production time.
How are the miniature signs packaged?
Each miniature sign ships in a protective foam cradle sized to fit the piece snugly, including a dedicated void for the finial - the most vulnerable point on the sign. The assembly sits tight within the Slotbox flat mailer and is designed to hold up through normal postal handling.
Can I track my order?
Yes - in-stock orders over $150 ship fully insured with tracking, signature confirmation via Canada Post Registered Mail. A lower-cost untracked option is also available at checkout for orders under $150.
Custom orders ship with tracking included at no extra charge.
What's your return policy?
If your order arrives damaged or with a structural defect, get in touch within 30 days of delivery and we'll make it right. Returns for change of mind aren't accepted. If you have a question about a specific piece before ordering, just ask.
What counts as a defect?
A defect is anything structurally unresolved - a joint that moves, a frame that flexes, or damage that occurred in transit, including a snapped finial. Surface characteristics that are part of hand production - minor paint variation, slight texture, evidence of hand assembly - are not defects. These are features of objects made one at a time by a person, not a machine.
What do the miniature signs cost?
In-stock miniature signs range from $175 to $195. Custom orders are $350 all in. All prices are in Canadian dollars.
What payment methods do you accept?
All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club, Discover) as well as Shop Pay, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay.
Do prices include tax?
Yes, the prices shown include tax.
