Brand Guidelines Reference
1. **Wrong Blue**: Using generic blue instead of Acme Blue #0066CC 2. **Stretched Logo**: Always maintain aspect ratio 3. **Too Many Colors**: Stick to the approved palette 4. **Inconsistent Fonts**: Don't mix font families 5. **Missing Logo**: Always include on first page 6. **Wrong Date Format**: Use "Month DD, YYYY" 7. **Decimal Places**: Be consistent (currency: 2, percentage: 1)
Overview
Brand Guidelines Reference
Quick Reference Card
Must-Have Elements
✅ Company logo on first page/slide ✅ Correct brand colors (no variations) ✅ Approved fonts only ✅ Consistent formatting throughout ✅ Professional tone of voice
Never Use
❌ Competitor logos or references ❌ Unapproved colors or gradients ❌ Decorative or script fonts ❌ Pixelated or stretched logos ❌ Informal language or slang
Color Codes Reference
For Digital (RGB/Hex)
| Color Name | Hex Code | RGB | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acme Blue | #0066CC | 0, 102, 204 | Primary headers, CTAs |
| Acme Navy | #003366 | 0, 51, 102 | Body text, secondary |
| Success Green | #28A745 | 40, 167, 69 | Positive values |
| Warning Amber | #FFC107 | 255, 193, 7 | Warnings, attention |
| Error Red | #DC3545 | 220, 53, 69 | Errors, negative |
| Neutral Gray | #6C757D | 108, 117, 125 | Muted text |
| Light Gray | #F8F9FA | 248, 249, 250 | Backgrounds |
For Print (CMYK)
| Color Name | CMYK | Pantone |
|---|---|---|
| Acme Blue | 100, 50, 0, 20 | 2935 C |
| Acme Navy | 100, 50, 0, 60 | 2965 C |
Document Templates
Email Signature
[Name]
[Title]
Acme Corporation | Innovation Through Excellence
[Phone] | [Email]
www.acmecorp.example
Slide Footer
© 2025 Acme Corporation | Confidential | Page [X]
Report Header
[Logo] [Document Title] Page [X] of [Y]
Accessibility Standards
Color Contrast
- Text on white background: Use Acme Navy (#003366)
- Text on blue background: Use white (#FFFFFF)
- Minimum contrast ratio: 4.5:1 for body text
- Minimum contrast ratio: 3:1 for large text
Font Sizes
- Minimum body text: 11pt (print), 14px (digital)
- Minimum caption text: 9pt (print), 12px (digital)
File Naming Conventions
Standard Format
YYYY-MM-DD_DocumentType_Version_Status.ext
Examples
2025-01-15_QuarterlyReport_v2_FINAL.pptx2025-01-15_BudgetAnalysis_v1_DRAFT.xlsx2025-01-15_Proposal_v3_APPROVED.pdf
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wrong Blue: Using generic blue instead of Acme Blue #0066CC
- Stretched Logo: Always maintain aspect ratio
- Too Many Colors: Stick to the approved palette
- Inconsistent Fonts: Don't mix font families
- Missing Logo: Always include on first page
- Wrong Date Format: Use "Month DD, YYYY"
- Decimal Places: Be consistent (currency: 2, percentage: 1)
Department-Specific Guidelines
Finance
- Always right-align numbers in tables
- Use parentheses for negative values: ($1,234)
- Include data source citations
Marketing
- Can use full secondary color palette
- May include approved imagery
- Follow social media specific guidelines when applicable
Legal
- Use numbered sections (1.0, 1.1, 1.2)
- Include document control information
- Apply "Confidential" watermark when needed
International Considerations
Date Formats by Region
- US: Month DD, YYYY (January 15, 2025)
- UK: DD Month YYYY (15 January 2025)
- ISO: YYYY-MM-DD (2025-01-15)
Currency Display
- USD: $1,234.56
- EUR: €1.234,56
- GBP: £1,234.56
Version History
| Version | Date | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | Jan 2025 | Added digital color codes |
| 1.5 | Oct 2024 | Updated font guidelines |
| 1.0 | Jan 2024 | Initial brand guidelines |
Contact for Questions
Brand Team Email: brand@acmecorp.example Slack: #brand-guidelines
For Exceptions Submit request to brand team with business justification