The Ultimate Rebrand Checklist | What to Update After a Logo Is Redesigned
- Jun 20, 2023
- 9 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
A rebrand isn’t just about a redesigned logo. A complete rebrand includes updates to your logo, messaging, website, social media, marketing materials, emails, documents, signage, packaging, and internal systems. This checklist walks through everything that needs to be reviewed so your rebrand shows up consistently across every touchpoint.
In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, rebrands have become an inevitable reality for staying relevant with customers and target audiences.
Depending on the size and type of your business, rebranding can be a venture brimming with anticipation and, let's admit it, a touch of apprehension. It's an opportunity to infuse your brand with fresh energy, attract new customers, and revitalize your business. However, it can also be daunting, as the sheer magnitude of the pieces and elements requiring rebranding can be overwhelming. Whether you're expanding your customer base, adapting your offering, or simply modernizing your brand, this checklist will guide you every step of the way during a rebrand.
Most businesses don’t rebrand without a reason. A rebrand usually follows a shift in direction, audience, offerings, or how the business wants to be perceived.
It's important to note here that when that reason isn’t clearly defined, rebranding becomes an aesthetic exercise. And that’s when inconsistency shows up.
Before any rebrand, it’s important to reflect on your foundation, because clarity is what allows a rebrand to translate consistently across every touchpoint, visuals, messaging, and experience.
Once that foundation is clear, this checklist helps you implement it cohesively.
Stay even more organized by downloading the Interactive Rebranding Checklist now.
LOGO
At the heart of the rebranding process lies the most vital element: your logo. It's a visual representation of your company's identity, and it can have a big impact on how people perceive you. When you're rebranding, redesigned logos require your full attention.
Redesigning your logo is a careful process that requires time, patience, and strategic thinking. You need to make sure that your new logo is aligned with your rebranding vision and leaves a lasting impression on your customers. Additionally, it’s always worth revisiting your foundation before you redesign your logo, because brand clarity is what helps your rebrand translate consistently across every touchpoint. This will help you define new target audiences, identify any changes in perception, and create a cohesive brand identity that resonates with your customers.
Your logo is the spark that ignites your brand's transformation. It's the element that connects all the other aspects of your rebranding strategy. Don't rush it. Give it the time and attention it deserves.
STATIONARY
Your stationery is an important part of your rebranding process. It includes letterheads, business cards, envelopes, and other printed materials that represent your brand identity.
Stationery is a tangible asset that conveys professionalism and consistency. When you rebrand, it is important to update your stationery to reflect the new visual aesthetic and messaging.
Stationery helps to ensure that your brand identity is consistent across all of your correspondence. This leaves a memorable impression on clients, partners, and stakeholders.
Do not underestimate the power of stationery in reinforcing your brand's image throughout the rebranding process.
WEBSITE
Your website is an important part of your brand identity. It serves as the digital face of your brand, and it is the first impression that many people will have of your company.
When you rebrand, it is important to redesign your website to reflect the new branding. This includes updating the logo, color scheme, typography, and overall visual aesthetic.
A well-executed website redesign will ensure that your online presence reflects the refreshed brand identity. This will enhance user experience and leave a positive impression on visitors.
Here are some of the benefits of redesigning your website as part of your rebrand:
Increased brand awareness: A well-designed website can help to increase brand awareness by making your company more visible online.
Improved user experience: A well-designed website can provide a better user experience, which can lead to increased conversions.
Enhanced credibility: A well-designed website can make your company look more credible and professional.
Improved search engine optimization (SEO): A well-designed website can help to improve your website's SEO, which can lead to more organic traffic.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Don't forget to give your social media profiles a makeover as part of your rebranding efforts. Be sure to update profile pictures, cover photos, and any other relevant visuals on your social media platforms to align them with your new brand identity. These visual elements play a significant role in shaping the perception of your brand online. By harmonizing your social media profiles with the refreshed brand identity, you create a cohesive and recognizable online presence.
ADVERTISING
When you rebrand, it is important to update your advertising materials to reflect the new branding. This includes print and digital ads, banners, billboards, and any other advertising materials that you use.
By updating your advertising materials, you ensure that your branding is consistent across all channels. This creates a powerful visual impact that reinforces the message of your rebrand.
Here are some additional tips for updating your advertising materials during a rebrand:
Start by creating a style guide that outlines the new branding elements. This will help you to ensure that all of your advertising materials are consistent.
Work with a professional designer to create new ad layouts that incorporate the new branding elements.
Use a centralized repository such as file-sharing services (ie: Google Drive or Dropbox), a brand management platform (ie: Brandfolder or Bynder), or even Canva to store all of your new branding elements. This will make it easy for you to access the elements when you need them, and it will also help to ensure that everyone on your team is using the same elements.
PACKAGING
If your organization offers physical products, it's crucial to consider updating your packaging designs as part of the rebranding process. The packaging serves as the first point of contact for customers, making it a valuable opportunity to showcase your new brand identity.
While product boxes, packaging, and labels may be obvious don't overlook items like tissue paper, inserts, thank you notes, hang tags, and stickers. Every aspect of your packaging should reflect the essence of your rebrand. By aligning your packaging with the refreshed brand elements, you create a cohesive and impactful visual experience that not only catches the eye but also reinforces your brand's identity.
MARKETING
When undergoing a rebrand, it's essential to update your promotional materials to ensure consistency and alignment with the new brand elements and messaging.
This includes brochures, flyers, catalogs, and other promotional materials. When these materials are updated to reflect the new brand elements and messaging, they help to ensure consistency and alignment across all touchpoints.
Updating your marketing collateral is also an opportunity to refresh your brand's messaging. You can use this opportunity to reiterate your brand's positioning, values, and benefits.
SIGNAGE
Signage acts as a prominent visual representation of your brand, making it essential to incorporate the refreshed elements to maintain consistency and effectively communicate your brand's new image. Whether it's the signs outside your storefront, directional signage within your premises, or any other physical display, updating them with the new logo and brand identity will create a cohesive and impactful impression on customers and visitors.
PRESENTATIONS
When rebranding, it is crucial to update your presentations to ensure that they are consistent with the new brand identity. This includes refreshing presentation templates, slide decks, and other visual aids that you use to communicate with clients, stakeholders, and colleagues.
Here are some specific examples of how you can incorporate the new brand elements into your presentations:
Use the new logo and branding colors throughout your presentations.
Use the new typography for your headings and body text.
Use images and graphics that reflect the new brand identity.
Use a consistent layout and design throughout your presentations.
When rebranding, it is important to update all of your email communications, including email templates, newsletter templates, and personal email signatures. This also includes email automations, such as welcome emails or abandoned cart reminders.
APPAREL
If your business uses uniforms, branded clothing, or promotional merchandise, it is important to include them in your rebranding efforts.
Updating these items to reflect the new brand identity helps create a cohesive and professional appearance for your team and reinforces your brand's image.
Whether it's a new logo embroidered on uniforms or a fresh design on promotional merchandise, these items act as walking advertisements for your business. By aligning them with the new brand identity, you ensure that your employees and customers become ambassadors of your revitalized brand, leaving a memorable impression wherever they go.
VEHICLES
Vehicle branding acts as a mobile billboard, showcasing your new branding to a wide audience. Each time your branded vehicles hit the streets, they become a powerful marketing tool, leaving a lasting impression on potential customers.
If your organization relies on vehicles for transportation or delivery, it's essential to include them in your rebranding efforts. Updating the branding on your vehicles to align with the new brand identity ensures consistency and strengthens your brand's visibility on the road.
OFFICE
The visual elements in your office space contribute to creating a cohesive brand experience for both employees and visitors. By aligning the office environment with the new brand identity, you foster a sense of unity, promote a culture that supports your brand's values, and reinforce the brand's messaging.
Consider updating elements such as wall graphics, signage, colors, patterns, and other interior design aspects.
TRAINING
If your organization provides training materials to employees or clients, it's crucial to update them as part of your rebranding process. Updating training materials to reflect the new brand identity ensures consistency and reinforces the brand's messaging and values throughout the learning experience. Whether it's employee training manuals, client onboarding materials, or online courses, aligning them with the new brand identity creates a cohesive and professional impression.
TRADE SHOWS
it's essential to update your trade show materials to align with the new brand identity. This includes booth designs, banners, promotional items, and other materials used at trade shows and exhibitions. These materials act as powerful ambassadors of your brand, capturing the attention of potential customers and creating a lasting impression and help you stand out in a crowded trade show environment.
Items that could easily be overlooked are:
Promotional Giveaways
Table Covers
Interactive Displays
Staff Lanyards
DOCUMENTS
An important aspect of a rebrand is updating internal documents, templates, and forms to incorporate the new brand elements. This step ensures consistency throughout the organization and reinforces the new brand identity to both employees and stakeholders.
In addition to memos, invoices, and contracts, there are several other internal documents that may need to be updated during a rebrand. These include policies and procedures manuals, marketing plans, performance evaluation forms, reports, agendas, and any other documents regularly used within the organization.
Embarking on a successful rebrand is no small feat. It demands unwavering attention to detail, strategic thinking, and a wholehearted commitment to maintaining consistency across all touchpoints. In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, rebrands have become an inevitable reality for staying relevant with customers and target audiences. From redesigning your logo to updating your website, social media profiles, and advertising materials, every step in the rebranding process should align with your vision and reflect your new brand identity.
FAQ
Is redesigning a logo the same as a rebrand?
No. Redesigning a logo is often one part of a rebrand, but a full rebrand goes much further. A complete rebrand typically includes updates to messaging, website, marketing materials, social media, email, documents, signage, and internal systems. Without updating those supporting elements, a new logo can feel disconnected rather than cohesive.
What all needs to be updated during a rebrand?
A rebrand affects every place your brand shows up — both externally and internally. This includes your logo, visual identity, messaging, website, social media profiles, marketing materials, email templates, documents, signage, packaging, presentations, training materials, and even office environments or vehicles.
Because so many of these updates involve design decisions, knowing how to work effectively with a graphic designer can make the rebranding process smoother and more successful.
This checklist is designed to help you review each of those areas so nothing important is missed.
Why do businesses decide to rebrand in the first place?
Most businesses choose to rebrand because something feels misaligned or inconsistent. Over time, messaging drifts, visuals evolve unevenly, offerings expand, or the business simply outgrows its original identity. A rebrand is often an intentional reset — a way to bring clarity, cohesion, and consistency back to the brand so everything works together again.
When should I think about brand clarity during a rebrand?
Brand clarity should come before you begin redesigning assets. Reflecting on your foundation — who you are, what you do, who you help, and how you want to be perceived — makes it much easier to update your brand consistently across all touchpoints. When that foundation is clear, decisions throughout the rebrand process become simpler and more aligned.
How do I make sure my rebrand is cohesive across everything?
Cohesion comes from two things: a clear foundation and a thorough implementation process. Once your direction is defined, using a comprehensive checklist helps ensure every asset — from visuals to messaging to systems — reflects that same direction. This combination prevents gaps, mixed signals, and half-finished updates.
Do I need to update everything at once during a rebrand?
Not necessarily. Some businesses phase their rebrand over time, especially if there are budget or operational constraints. What matters most is knowing what needs to be updated and having a clear plan for how and when those updates will happen. A checklist helps you prioritize without losing sight of the full picture.
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Rebranding involves a lot of moving pieces and it’s easy to overlook important details.
If you want a simple way to track updates and stay organized, you can download the Interactive Rebranding Checklist and check items off as you go.
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