Out of Order Sign Printable
When something breaks, a clear sign saves everyone time and frustration. Pick a preset — vending machine, toilet, lift, printer, washing machine — or type your own wording, add an alternative (“Please use the machine on floor 2”) and who to contact, choose a colour and orientation, and print a bold, readable out of order sign on standard paper.
Out of order sign maker
Out of Order Sign Pack
Twelve ready-to-print out of order signs (machine, toilet, lift, printer, washer, vending, door, card payments and more) in red, yellow and black, plus an editable Word sign and a fault report log.
- Machine sign (PDF)
- Toilet sign (PDF)
- Lift sign (PDF)
- Printer sign (PDF)
- Washing Machine sign (PDF)
- Vending Machine sign (PDF)
- Door sign (PDF)
- Card Payments sign (PDF)
- Editable sign (DOCX)
- Fault log (XLSX/PDF)
Formats: PDF, DOCX, XLSX. Instant download after payment (link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). AI-assisted: the templates were drafted with AI help and reviewed and laid out by Kedop.
$3.00 USD, one-time
Secure card checkout by Stripe. Full refund within 7 days — see the refund policy and license.
What makes an out of order sign work
| Element | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Big, bold heading | Readable from across a room or corridor |
| Strong colour | Red or yellow borders catch attention quickly |
| What is affected | “Lift”, “Printer”, “This machine” — avoid confusion with the one next to it |
| What to do instead | Point people to the nearest working alternative |
| Who knows | “Maintenance has been notified” stops repeated reports |
| Date | Shows the sign is current, not left over from months ago |
How to use the sign maker
- Choose a preset or keep Custom.
- Edit the heading — keep it short, such as OUT OF ORDER or LIFT OUT OF ORDER.
- Write one to three short message lines, including the alternative.
- Pick a colour and orientation (landscape suits doors and machines; portrait suits narrow doors and poles).
- Add a footer such as who has been notified or a contact number.
- Print on US Letter or A4. The layout scales to fill the page.
For outdoor or wet areas, slip the printed sign into a clear plastic sleeve or laminate it.
Wording examples
| Situation | Suggested message |
|---|---|
| Vending machine | Please do not insert money — this machine will not dispense |
| Toilet | Out of order — please use the toilets on the ground floor |
| Lift | Lift out of order — please use the stairs or the lift by reception |
| Printer | Printer out of order — please use the printer in room 204 |
| Laundry | Washer 3 out of order — repair booked for Tuesday |
| Card terminal | Card payments unavailable — cash only today, sorry |
| Ticket machine | Out of order — please buy tickets at the counter |
Tone: polite and clear
A short apology (“Sorry for the inconvenience”) keeps the tone friendly, but the most useful part of the sign is the alternative. People mostly want to know where to go next. Avoid long explanations of the fault, jokes that could be misread, or blaming users. If the repair date is known, add it — it reduces questions to staff.
Safety and accessibility
- If a fault is hazardous — exposed wiring, a leaking appliance, a door that won’t lock — isolate it properly and follow your workplace procedures; a sign alone is not enough.
- For lifts, make sure step-free alternatives are signposted for wheelchair users and people with prams.
- Use high contrast: black text on white with a coloured band is easy to read.
- Place signs at eye level and on the item itself, not just nearby.
- Remove the sign as soon as the item is fixed so people trust future signs.
Where to put the sign
Tape the sign to the machine or door itself so it is unmistakable which item is affected. In a row of identical machines, put a sign on the broken one and consider a small arrow sign pointing to the working one. For toilets, place the sign on the door at eye level and, if possible, lock or block the stall. For lifts, sign every floor’s call point, not just the ground floor.
Worked example
A school office printer breaks on Monday morning. The office manager chooses the Printer preset, changes the second line to “Please use the printer in the library”, adds “IT has been notified” and today’s date, picks yellow for visibility and prints it in landscape. It takes a minute, and staff stop queuing at the broken printer.
Signs for shared buildings
In offices, flats, schools and gyms, the same few items break again and again: printers, coffee machines, dryers, hand dryers, lifts and card readers. Keep a small folder of ready-printed signs so whoever finds the fault can post one immediately. Agree who is allowed to post and remove signs, and where faults should be reported, so signs don’t go up without anyone arranging a repair. A dated sign also helps facilities teams see how long an item has been out of use.
Other signs you can make
| Heading | Typical use |
|---|---|
| TEMPORARILY CLOSED | Rooms, counters or facilities closed for a short time |
| NOT IN USE | Equipment switched off deliberately, e.g. for cleaning |
| UNDER REPAIR | An engineer is booked or working on it |
| DO NOT USE | Anything that may be unsafe until checked |
| CASH ONLY | Payment terminal problems |
| PLEASE USE OTHER DOOR | A broken or blocked entrance |
Type any of these into the heading box; the layout adjusts the text size to fit.
Printing tips
Use the print dialog’s landscape or portrait setting to match the sign, and turn on “Background graphics” if the coloured band does not print. On a printer with low ink, choose the black or blue scheme. Save as PDF if you need to send the sign to someone else to print.
Privacy
The sign maker runs entirely in your browser; nothing is uploaded or stored.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make an out of order sign?
Choose a preset or type your text, pick a colour and print.
What should an out of order sign say?
What is not working, the nearest alternative and, ideally, that the fault has been reported.
What colour is best?
Red or yellow with black or white text stands out and is easy to read.
Can I print it in portrait?
Yes, choose portrait orientation before printing.
Why is the coloured band not printing?
Turn on “Background graphics” in the print dialog.
How can I make it waterproof?
Laminate it or use a clear plastic sleeve.
Can I change the heading text?
Yes, type any heading such as TEMPORARILY CLOSED or DO NOT USE.
Is anything uploaded?
No, it runs in your browser.