What Are Brand Guidelines? (+ Free Downloadable Template)
Learn what brand guidelines are, why they matter, and how to create them for your startup. Download a free AI-generated brand kit template.
Brandisy Team
AI Branding Experts
When you create a brand, it’s not just about the logo. It’s about consistency.
That’s where brand guidelines come in.
They define your brand’s look and feel so that every social post, landing page, or pitch deck stays visually aligned.
TL;DR: Brand guidelines keep your brand recognizable and professional — even as you grow.
What Are Brand Guidelines?
Brand guidelines (also called a brand book or style guide) are a set of rules that explain how your brand should look and feel. This usually includes:
- ✅ Logo usage (spacing, placement, backgrounds)
- ✅ Fonts and typography rules
- ✅ Brand colors (primary, secondary, neutrals)
- ✅ Tone of voice (optional)
- ✅ Visual layout and styling
They’re used by founders, designers, marketers — anyone who communicates your brand.
Why Do Startups Need Brand Guidelines?
You might think: “I’m just getting started, do I really need a guideline?”
Yes — because:
- 🧠 You’ll avoid design inconsistencies from day one
- 📦 You’ll save time when creating new assets (email headers, app UI, etc.)
- 🧩 You’ll stay memorable with a unified style
- 📈 It gives your project a more polished and trustworthy feel
What's Inside a Good Brand Guideline?
A great brand kit is both simple and complete. It should include:
| Section | What's Inside |
|---|---|
| Logo | Versions, spacing, do’s and don'ts |
| Typography | Font pairings, sizes, weights, sample usage |
| Colors | Primary, secondary, neutrals, HEX codes |
| Voice (optional) | How you speak in content, product, marketing |
| Layout | Grid, margins, button styles, common elements |
Use Brandisy to Auto-Generate Brand Guidelines
Want to skip the manual work and get a ready-to-use brand kit?
🎯 Meet Brandisy — the fastest way to generate a professional brand kit with:
- Logo (SVG & mockups)
- Font pairing
- Color palette
- Exportable brand guideline PDF
No designer needed. Start with our free Basic tier or unlock Pro features for just $5.
➡️ Unlock Brandisy for free and download your brand kit in minutes.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to overthink branding when you start. But you do need consistency — and that’s exactly what a brand guideline delivers.
AI tools like Brandisy help you define your identity early so you can scale with confidence.
FAQ
Q: What’s the purpose of brand guidelines?
A: They ensure all your brand visuals and communication stay consistent.
Q: Is it just for big companies?
A: Not at all. Startups and indie projects benefit the most from visual clarity.
Q: Can I create a brand guideline for free?
A: Brandisy offers a free Basic tier and a Pro tier for $5 per brand kit, which includes a downloadable PDF.