Brand Guidelines: What They Are and Why Your Business Needs Them
What brand guidelines include, how they keep your business from looking different everywhere, and when they're worth doing.
In this article
It happens to a lot of businesses: the logo on the truck is slightly different from the one on the website, the business cards use another blue, and every Instagram post has a different font. It doesn't seem serious, but customers read it as disorganized. Brand guidelines are the document that prevents that: they spell out exactly how your brand is used everywhere.
What brand guidelines include
- 01
Logo and variants
Main, horizontal, icon and black-and-white versions, with clear space and minimum sizes.
- 02
Colors
The palette with exact codes for screens (HEX/RGB) and print (CMYK).
- 03
Typefaces
Which fonts to use for headings and body text, on the web and in print.
- 04
Dos and don'ts
Examples of what not to do: stretching, recoloring or placing the logo on backgrounds where it can't be read.
- 05
Applications
How it looks on cards, uniforms, vehicles and social media.
Why it helps a small business
- You look professional and consistent, which builds trust before you talk to the customer.
- Any designer, printer or sign shop can work fast without guessing.
- You save money: no paying to “fix” pieces that came out different.
- Your business gets recognized faster on the street, on Google and on social media.
Key takeaways
- Brand guidelines spell out how to use your logo, colors and fonts everywhere.
- They keep your business from looking different on every material.
- They save time and money every time you print or wrap a vehicle.
- Our Brand Kit includes the guidelines as a PDF.
Logo, variants, colors, typefaces, guidelines and templates for $690.
See the Brand Kit →Want to apply this to your business?
Book a free 30-minute call or send us a message. No commitment.