The short answer: before a new veterinary clinic opens, order business cards for every doctor and the front desk, a new-client welcome brochure, appointment reminder postcards, a grand opening banner, a sidewalk sign, and the parking and pet relief area signs your lot needs. Order three to four weeks before opening day so there is time to approve proofs and fix anything before the doors open.
For the front desk and exam rooms
- Business cards for each veterinarian, the practice manager and a general front desk card. Standard 2" x 3.5" cards on thick 16pt stock feel professional; round cards make good loyalty and appointment cards.
- A tri-fold brochure for new clients: services, hours, wellness plans, emergency instructions and how to book. It is the piece people take home and keep.
- Appointment reminder postcards for vaccine and wellness reminders. A 4" x 6" postcard is the standard size.
- Greeting cards for welcome, sympathy and thank-you notes. Clients remember a handwritten sympathy card for years.
- Stickers to seal take-home bags and label medication or treat packaging.
Outside the clinic
- A grand opening banner on the building or fence for the weeks around opening.
- An A-frame sidewalk sign for walk-in traffic, with inserts you can change for promotions.
- Reserved curbside pickup parking signs if you offer curbside check-in or medication pickup.
- A pet relief area sign so clients know where to take pets before and after visits, and to clean up after them.
For getting the word out
- Door hangers for the surrounding neighborhoods, with an opening offer.
- Flyers for pet stores, groomers, dog parks and community boards nearby.
- A table runner for adoption events, community fairs and school career days.
- Adoption event yard signs if you partner with a local rescue for opening weekend.
Timeline
- 4 weeks out: finalize your logo, colors, phone number, address and hours. Everything printed depends on these.
- 3 to 4 weeks out: place print orders and approve proofs. Check every phone number, address and spelling, because your approval is what prints.
- 1 to 2 weeks out: everything arrives. Put up outdoor signs and start handing out door hangers and flyers.
- Opening week: grand opening banner up, brochures at the front desk, business cards in every exam room.
Need help with the design?
The ready-made signs and banners above already have their design: you just type your wording. Everything else prints from your own artwork. Either way, we email a proof before anything prints. If you do not have artwork yet, VetMark Media designs print material for pet businesses. Tell us what you are opening and we will put together a quote for the full set.