As a small business owner you’re juggling a lot; sales, customer service, marketing, and everything in between. With so much going on, keeping your business looking consistent across social media, print materials, and customer touchpoints can be tough. That’s where a brand guide comes in.
What is a Brand Guide?
A brand guide (sometimes called a brand style guide) is a document that outlines how your business should present itself to the world. Think of it as the “rulebook” for your brand’s identity.
It typically includes:
- Logo usage – how and where your logo can be displayed.
- Colour palette – your brand’s official colours with exact codes (HEX, RGB, CMYK).
- Typography – the fonts you use for headlines, body text, and design materials.
- Imagery & graphics – preferred styles of photos, icons, and illustrations.
Why is a Brand Guide Important for Small Businesses?
- Consistency Builds Trust
Customers trust brands that look professional and consistent. Whether it’s your business card, website, or social media post, consistency makes your business feel reliable and established. - Saves Time and Effort
Instead of making design decisions from scratch each time, a brand guide provides clear rules. This saves you time and keeps your team (or freelancers) on the same page. - Stronger Marketing Impact
When your visuals and messaging are consistent, your brand becomes more memorable. Think of major brands like Starbucks or Apple—you recognize them instantly. A brand guide helps your small business achieve the same effect on a local level. - Professionalism Without the Guesswork
A brand guide ensures every flyer, social media post, and ad looks polished and aligned. This is especially helpful if you work with outside designers or printers—they’ll know exactly how to represent your business.
How Can Small Businesses Get Started with a Brand Guide?
You don’t need a 50-page corporate manual. A simple, 3–5 page guide covering your logo, colours, and fonts is enough to make a big difference.
At Sevans Designs, we help small businesses in Loyalist Township, Kingston, Napanee, and surrounding areas create brand guides that are simple, practical, and effective. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refresh your image, having a clear brand guide will set your business up for success.
Mini Brand Guide Template (Starter Example)
Here’s a simple outline you can use to begin your own brand guide:
1. Logo Usage
✅ Primary logo: [Insert Your Logo]
✅ Do’s: Use with clear space, keep original colours
❌ Don’ts: Don’t stretch, crop, or change colours
2. Colour Palette
- Primary Colour: HEX #123456 | RGB (18, 52, 86) | CMYK (79, 40, 0, 66)
- Secondary Colour: HEX #abcdef | RGB (171, 205, 239) | CMYK (28, 14, 0, 6)
3. Typography
- Headings: Montserrat Bold
- Body Text: Open Sans Regular
- Accent Text: Italic or secondary font
4. Imagery Style
- Use bright, natural photos of products or services
- Consistent editing style (e.g., light, airy, warm tones)
- Avoid blurry or mismatched stock photos
Pro Tip: Start with this mini brand guide and expand as your business grows.
Need help creating a polished, professional brand guide? Sevans Designs can build a custom brand guide tailored to your small business.