Launching a business means getting the physical brand right. This is a practical checklist of what new businesses in London typically need printed in their first 90 days, with realistic quantities and budget.
Week 1 to 2: Before you open the doors
1. Logo and basic brand pack
Before anything else you need a proper logo in vector format (.ai, .eps, .svg, .pdf). Also variations: full colour, black only, white only, horizontal and square layouts.
If you do not have this, our custom design service creates brand packs from £95.
2. Business cards
500 cards on 350gsm silk: £55
Do not over-order. Upgrade to a premium finish when you can justify it.
See our business card finishes guide.
3. Shop sign (if physical location)
Dibond or foamex fascia sign with logo and opening hours: £150 to £350
Plus an A-board for the pavement: £100 to £140
See our signboard materials guide.
Week 2 to 4: Soft launch materials
4. Letterheads and compliment slips
For professional services (legal, consultancy, accountancy):
- 250 A4 letterheads (100gsm): £45
- 250 compliment slips (DL, 170gsm): £45
Less important for retail or hospitality.
5. Window vinyl
Your name, website, and opening hours on the window. A3-sized vinyl cut letters: £45 to £80.
6. Branded packaging
If you sell physical products:
- Printed tissue paper (500 sheets): £75
- Stickers with logo for boxes (1000 at 5cm): £45
- Branded thank-you cards (250): £55
Week 3 to 6: Marketing assets
7. Flyers and leaflets
- 500 A5 flyers on 300gsm silk, double-sided colour: £65
See flyer printing sizes guide.
8. Menu cards (hospitality)
- 50 A4 menus, laminated, 300gsm: £75
9. Posters
For window display or events:
- 5 A2 posters, 170gsm silk: £55
Week 4 to 8: Staff uniforms and team kit
10. Staff uniforms
Depending on the business type:
Hospitality:
- Embroidered polos (10, FOTL): £150
- Branded aprons (10): £160
- Caps (5): £50
Retail:
- Branded T-shirts (10): £120
- Optional embroidered polo for managers: £65
Trades:
- Printed work T-shirts (10, DTF on polyester): £110
- Branded hi-vis vests (5): £75
Week 6 to 12: Marketing push
11. Business cards (reorder at 1000 units)
Once demand is established, upgrade to premium finish:
- 1000 cards, 400gsm with soft-touch laminate: £175
12. Promotional merchandise
For customer gifts or events:
- 50 tote bags (cotton, screen-printed logo): £245
- 100 branded pens: £55
- 50 enamel pin badges: £90
13. Event materials (if applicable)
- 3m PVC banner for trade shows: £75
- 10 A3 foamex signs: £180
- 500 branded stickers: £75
Total budget guide
Micro budget (solo consultant or freelancer):
- Business cards, basic uniform, window vinyl: £200 to £400
Small shop or café:
- Full signage, uniforms (3 to 5 staff), cards, flyers: £1,200 to £2,500
Mid-size restaurant or retail:
- Full signage, uniforms (10 to 15 staff), menus, cards, flyers, signs, banner: £2,500 to £5,000
Brand launch with multi-channel marketing:
- All of the above plus merchandise, promotional items, event kit: £5,000 to £10,000
Common new-business mistakes
- Over-ordering cards: 500 is plenty to start. Most new businesses have 300+ left a year later.
- Premium finishes on day 1: your logo might change in the first 6 months. Start with standard finish.
- Cheap signage that gets replaced: buy the right material once (dibond for permanent fascia) rather than replacing foamex after 12 months.
- No consistent uniform: one uniform variant, not three. Consistency beats variety at launch.
- Skipping proof stage: always see a physical proof of important items before committing to volume.
Launch-day print kit
Minimum items for launch day:
- ✓ 500 business cards
- ✓ Shop fascia sign
- ✓ A-board
- ✓ Window vinyl with hours
- ✓ Uniform for all staff
- ✓ 250 launch-day flyers (if event-based launch)
- ✓ 2 window posters
This kit typically costs £600 to £1,200 depending on business type and size.
Timeline
For a 90-day launch plan:
- Day 1 to 14: logo finalised, business cards ordered, signage measured
- Day 15 to 30: signage produced and installed, cards arrived
- Day 31 to 45: uniforms ordered, marketing flyers ordered
- Day 46 to 60: soft launch with friends and family
- Day 61 to 75: full public launch, push marketing
- Day 76 to 90: reorder business cards, analyse what worked
Walk in and plan together
If you are launching in Putney, Wandsworth, or central London, drop into our Putney shop. We regularly sit with new business owners and work through the list item by item. 30 minutes usually saves thousands in wrong decisions.
Email [email protected] to book a time.
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