January is a great time to sort your branding out. It’s quieter, you’ve got a clean slate, and anything you change now gets a full year of use. Whether it’s a brand new logo or just tidying up old details, here’s the checklist we run through with businesses before the new year.
Start With The Details
Before you print anything, check every piece of print you have for out of date information. It’s amazing how often we see:
- Old phone numbers or an email address nobody checks any more.
- Social media links for accounts that have been closed.
- An old address after a move.
- Prices that went up last year.
- A website address that now redirects somewhere else.
Write one master list of your current details and check everything against it.
1. Business Cards
They’re small, but they’re often the first thing people see. If your logo, colours or job title have changed, start here. Business cards are quick to turn round, and we wrote about whether you still need them if you’re on the fence.
2. Letterheads And Compliment Slips
If you send quotes, invoices or letters, matching letterheads and compliment slips make you look organised. Make sure your company number and registered address are right if you’re a limited company.
3. Signs And Window Graphics
A tired sign or faded window sticker says more about a business than people realise. If your brand has changed, your shop front should match it. Start with the things customers see from the street.
4. Roller Banners
If you do events, shows or open days, your roller banner needs updating with the rest. Banner stands last for years, so you can often just swap the graphic. Not sure which to pick? Read choosing the right roller banner.
5. Flyers And Price Lists
New year often means new prices or new services. A fresh flyer or price list is a good excuse to tell customers what’s changed. If you can’t decide between a flyer and a leaflet, this post explains the difference.
6. Stickers And Labels
Packaging, bags and product labels are easy to forget. If you sell products, update your stickers and labels at the same time so everything matches when it lands on a doorstep.
Keep It Consistent
The point of all this is that everything looks like it comes from the same place. Same logo file, same colours, same fonts. If you’re changing your logo, send us the new one once and we’ll use it across everything you order.
Get Ahead Before January
Most people leave it till the second week of January, so ordering in late December or the first few days of the year means you’re ready before everyone else. If you need a hand with the design, pick Use Our Designer when you order.
