Even the most famous and tenured brands have seen the value in refreshing their looks every now and then — just look at the evolution of Coca-Cola’s branding over its long history. For smaller businesses, however, there’s a more practical concern at play when they consider whether to refresh their look. In many cases, their signage may be beginning to break down, and that’s not a good look for any business. Your signage is the face your business shows to the world. Like it or not, potential customers are making judgments about your company based on its outward appearance. That means it’s in businesses’ best interests to replace their signage whenever it becomes necessary.

Yet how do you know when it’s time to replace your company’s signage? It depends: Some signage features hip branding, but is made of materials that break down well before their look goes out of style. Other signage may be made of materials durable enough to last for generations, but their look may fall out of style and leave a business looking like it’s out of touch.

Don’t Let Your Signs Break Down

The first factor to consider when thinking about when signage needs to be replaced is the physical material from which that signage is made. Painted wooden signs won’t last nearly as long as signs made out of cast bronze or aluminum, for example. If a sign is beginning to show wear, such as a vinyl banner that’s fading or fraying, it’s probably time to get rid of it. Customers passing by a store that features faded, tattered fabric signs might assume that it went out of business years ago, even if it’s currently open for business. For this reason, outdoor signage needs to be replaced far more often than interior signage. Although, UV rays that come in through the windows of your location can face interior signage, as well.

Stay in Tune With the Times

The other aspect businesses need to keep in mind when they consider if it’s time to replace their signage is relevancy. Unless your business is going for a “retro” vibe as part of your branding, you’ll want to keep an eye on current trends. A dated color scheme, typography or slogan can turn off potential customers just as much as a sign that’s in physical disrepair. No business wants to be seen as behind the times, so be aware of how your branding fits into the current tastes and be prepared to switch your signage if it starts to look dated.

Although it is less likely to prompt a major overhaul of your signage, regulations are another area that businesses need to be aware of when it comes to signage. For example, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires signage to include Braille for people whose vision is impaired. No matter the reason, every business can benefit from a refresh of its signage from time to time. When the time comes for your business, Graphic House, Inc. can make the process easy and effective for you. Our custom signage capabilities and complete in-house process make us the best place to go for your business’s new signage. Reach out to us today and find out how we can help.