A fresh look for a community making a difference
Sometimes, a signage project means a little more than simply giving a building a new look.
When we had the opportunity to help Thrift & Thrive Medway transform the shopfront of Revival, its community-focused high street initiative in Chatham, we knew it was a project we wanted to be part of.
Purple Frog Signs designed, manufactured and installed the new shopfront signage in Kent, donating our time, design expertise, materials, manufacturing and installation completely free of charge.
It was our way of supporting an organisation doing something genuinely worthwhile for its community and the environment.
And, as the before-and-after photographs show, the transformation speaks for itself.
Before: A shopfront ready for a new chapter
The existing storefront featured a long white fascia with a mixture of large red and black lettering.
Although functional, the signage had a busy appearance and offered an opportunity to create something more cohesive for the Revival identity.
The aim was to produce a welcoming, contemporary shopfront that would give Revival a stronger visual presence on Chatham High Street, while making its connection to Thrift & Thrive Medway clear.
We wanted the finished design to be striking without being complicated: something that would complement the organisation's identity and help it stand out for the right reasons.
The transformation: Matt black, brushed bronze and thoughtful details
We created a completely new fascia signage scheme, combining a matt black background with carefully selected lettering and finishes.
The specification included:
- Matt black aluminium composite material (ACM) panels to create a clean, contemporary shopfront fascia.
- Individually cut, brushed bronze-effect ACM letters for the prominent REVIVAL name.
- Stand-off fixings to raise the bronze lettering away from the fascia, introducing depth and subtle shadow.
- Matt vinyl lettering and graphics for the supporting information, tagline and Thrift & Thrive branding.
The contrast between the black background and brushed bronze-effect lettering gives the Revival identity real presence.
The stand-off fixings are an important detail. By positioning the lettering slightly proud of the fascia, they create a dimensional finish that changes subtly with the natural light.
The Thrift & Thrive identity sits alongside the Revival name, while the tagline, The Alternative High Street Experience, reinforces what makes the initiative different.
Together, the elements create a balanced, distinctive shopfront with a clear visual hierarchy.
Behind the scenes: From design to installation
Every sign has a process behind it, and we have included photographs showing some of the work involved in producing the Revival fascia.
From preparing the lettering layouts and positioning the stand-off fixings to applying the individually cut vinyl graphics, each stage required care and attention to detail.
The large REVIVAL letters were positioned to achieve consistent spacing and alignment. The matt vinyl graphics were then applied to complete the design.
With manufacture complete, the finished signage was professionally installed at the Chatham premises.
It is often the smaller details, including accurate spacing, clean application and carefully considered fixing methods, that make the difference to the finished result.
After: A striking new identity on Chatham High Street
The completed shopfront has a very different character.
Where the previous signage featured multiple competing messages, the new matt black fascia gives the branding room to breathe.
The raised bronze-effect REVIVAL lettering becomes the focal point, while the supporting graphics communicate the organisation's identity without overwhelming the design.
The result is a smarter, more cohesive frontage that helps visitors recognise Revival and its connection to Thrift & Thrive Medway.
Most importantly, it gives this community initiative a shopfront that reflects the care and ambition behind its work.
Supporting a community that believes in giving things a second life
Thrift & Thrive Medway is built around a philosophy we wholeheartedly support: reducing waste, encouraging reuse and bringing people together.
Through initiatives including Revival and its pre-loved goods activities, the organisation promotes recycling, repurposing and more thoughtful consumption.
Clothing, furniture and other useful items deserve the opportunity for a second life rather than automatically becoming waste.
Its work is about more than finding another home for unwanted belongings. It is also about supporting local people, encouraging practical skills and building stronger community connections.
These are values that resonate with us at Purple Frog Signs.
We believe businesses have an opportunity to contribute positively to the communities around them. Sometimes that means supporting a cause financially. Sometimes it means offering the skills, materials and expertise you already have.
For this project, we were delighted to contribute what we do best.
Our design time, materials, manufacture and installation were all donated to Thrift & Thrive.
There was no charge to the organisation.
Giving back is part of who we are
At Purple Frog Signs, we care about the environmental impact of our business and the positive difference we can make to others.
We continue to review our working practices, material choices and environmental responsibilities. Alongside this, we are committed to supporting worthwhile community and environmental projects wherever we reasonably can.
We know that practical contributions can make a difference to organisations working hard to support their communities.
It was a genuine pleasure to help Thrift & Thrive bring the Revival identity to life, and we wish everyone involved continued success.
What Thrift & Thrive Medway said
We were delighted to receive a five-star Trustpilot review from Thrift & Thrive Medway. Reflecting on their experience of working with Purple Frog Signs, they wrote:
“What I particularly love about Purple Frog is the time they take to really understand you and your business. They listen carefully to your requirements and ideas, then use their creativity and expertise to mould them into something that is not only beautiful, but also practical and affordable.”
— Thrift & Thrive Medway, five-star Trustpilot review, 11 September 2026
Read the full review on Trustpilot
That personal approach matters to us. Whether we are working on a commercial signage project or donating our skills to a community initiative, we take the time to understand the people, purpose and practical requirements behind the work.
Your signage tells your story. What does yours say?
A carefully designed shopfront does more than identify a business. It communicates its personality, values and purpose before a customer even steps through the door.
Purple Frog Signs designs, manufactures and installs shopfront signs, fascia signage and dimensional lettering for businesses, charities and community organisations throughout Kent, Medway, London and the South East.
Whether you're refreshing an existing frontage or creating something entirely new, we'd love to hear about your project.
Discuss your signage project with Purple Frog Signs
And if you're in Chatham, do take a look at Thrift & Thrive Medway and discover what Revival has to offer.
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