Brand guidelines are a short rulebook for your brand. They tell you, and anyone working with you, how to use your logo, colours and fonts so everything looks consistent.
What usually goes in
- Logo rules. Which versions to use, how much space to leave around it, and what not to do (like stretching it).
- Colours. Your main colours with exact codes, so they match on screen and in print.
- Typography. The fonts for headings and body text, and when to use each.
- Images and style. The kind of photos, icons and layouts that suit your brand.
- Voice. A few lines on how you sound: friendly, direct, formal, and so on.
- Examples. A few real uses, like a business card, a social post and a flyer.
Why they’re worth having
- Consistency. Your brand looks the same on your website, packaging and social media.
- Speed. Designers, printers and staff don’t have to guess.
- Confidence. When someone asks “can I use this colour?”, the answer is on page two.
How long should they be?
As long as they need to be, and no longer. For many small businesses, a few clear pages are enough. Nobody reads a 60-page manual.
When we design a brand identity, we pull it all into simple guidelines, so you look the same everywhere your customers find you.
Want a set for your business? Talk to us.
Related: What is a brand identity? · Logo vs brand identity · See our brand identity service.