The new year brings new goals, optimism about the future, and maybe an extra notch or two in your belt from too many shortbread cookies (we aren’t judging that post-holiday bulge here). It is a time when your energy levels are high, your mind is fresh, and you are excited for all the possibilities that await!
The beginning of the year also typically offers a brief period of relief before customers and clients re-emerge in February - giving you some time to think about how your signage is helping (or hindering) your ability to meet your business goals in 2022.
For these reasons, January is a great time to take a look around your retail shop, restaurant, or office to evaluate the condition, effectiveness, energy efficiency, and brand alignment of your existing interior and exterior signage.
Below, we share a general checklist of what to look for when walking around your business space.
Current Condition of Existing Signage
If your current indoor or outdoor signage is looking faded, scuffed, cracked, dirty, bubbled, or broken, it is definitely time to consider replacing or updating your signs, banners, and window graphics. Your building’s overall appearance communicates a message about the quality of your products and services, and you always want to put your best face forward.
Well-maintained signage demonstrates that you take pride in everything you do, while damaged signage communicates the opposite. Consider how you can improve the message you are sending by asking Grand River Sign Design about a signage refresh or replacement. Sometimes, even small changes will make a big difference in the overall aesthetic of your business!
Effectiveness and Placement of Signage
In order to be effective, signs should be highly visible, informative, and helpful for your customers, employees, business contacts, and delivery personal. If your interior or exterior signs are difficult to locate, confusing to understand, or hard to read, your overall customer and visitor experiences may suffer.
Quick swaps - along with some guidance from signage experts - can help ensure you are visible (and helpful) day and night. Grand River Sign Design is happy to take a look at your space and offer advice about building, wayfinding, and marketing signage anytime!
Energy Efficiency of Signage
If your illuminated signage utilizes outdated lighting solutions, you may notice that it is becoming costly and time consuming to keep the lights on. Replacing burnt-out or flickering fluorescent light bulbs is always a chore (especially in the dead of winter) and the maintenance costs do add up over time. Luckily, lighting technology has come a long way, making illuminated signage more efficient and reliable than ever before for busy entrepreneurs and property managers.
Consider making the switch to an LED lighting solution to reduce your power bill, extend the life of your bulbs, and reduce your maintenance time. LED lighting also offers you the benefit of increased flexibility for incorporating different colours, patterns, and lighting schedules into your illuminated signage.
Overall Brand Alignment
If you or your marketing team are planning to alter your logo, update your interior design, launch a new campaign, or modernize your printed materials, your existing signage or overall aesthetic may no longer complement your new brand identity. Disjointed signage and other branded elements that no longer “fit” can weaken brand recognition and confuse your customers. To avoid any mishaps during your business’ transition, be sure to consult signage experts like Grand River Sign Design before investing in printing or renovations.
Ready to Start 2022 With a Fresh Face?
If you have taken a look at your existing signage and feel like it’s time to upgrade some or all of your interior and exterior signage, Grand River Sign Design is here to help! We provide design, printing, and installation services in the Kitchener-Waterloo and surrounding areas. To get started, contact us, give us a call at (519) 740-7272, or visit our showroom at 25 Struck Court, Unit #5, Cambridge, Ontario
