/ Branding
What are brand guidelines and do I need them?
Brand guidelines are a document that defines how your brand looks and sounds. Yes — even a 2-page version prevents inconsistency, saves time, and looks more professional.
/ 01
The short version
Brand guidelines don't need to be a 60-page PDF. A tight 4–8 page guide covers 95% of what a small business needs and prevents the slow drift that makes brands look amateur.
/ 02
What to include (minimum viable version)
Logo variations (primary, secondary, mono, reversed). Clear space and minimum size rules. Colour palette (primary + secondary + neutrals, with HEX/RGB/CMYK/Pantone). Typography (headings, body, weights, sizes). Tone of voice principles. 4–6 real examples showing correct and incorrect use.
/ 03
Why it matters even if you're solo
The moment anyone but you touches your brand (a printer, a freelance designer, a new hire, a marketplace listing) they need a source of truth. Without it you get five different logo versions, four shades of your brand colour, and three fonts in circulation. It looks careless and it dilutes recognition.
/ 04
How to build them cheaply
If you have a designer, get them to build a 6–10 page PDF alongside your logo project (£300–£800 add-on). If not, a Notion or Figma page you maintain yourself works too. The format matters less than the discipline of keeping it up to date.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get your brand system right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
Do I need Pantone colours?
Only if you print branded materials regularly. Otherwise HEX and RGB cover digital use.
How often should I update them?
Annually is fine unless you rebrand or launch a major sub-brand.
Still not sure?
Book a free 20-minute call — we'll answer your specific version of this question with no sales pitch.
Book a call →