Adding a logo is only the beginning.
The first page introduces your company; the following pages show how you work. A polished cover followed by an untidy service list creates two different impressions. Think of brand identity as a system running through the document, rather than just a mark at the top.
Give the logo room to be recognized. Keep its proportions, leave space around it and avoid making it compete with the title. If you use different versions on colored and white backgrounds, check that both remain clear at small sizes.
Give color a purpose.
Use your brand color to mark useful points, rather than every line. A section heading, a fine divider or an emphasis on the grand total may be enough. Keep text comfortable to read against its background; pale grey type can be elegant but difficult to follow.
Consistency means presenting similar information in similar ways, not making everything look identical.
Set predictable positions for company details, the customer name, proposal number and date. When recipients see another proposal from you, they should not have to learn where to look again.
Review with an actual proposal.
Short sample text does not reveal a design's limits. Try a long customer name, a service description running over two lines and several pages of items. Check that the layout stays clear both on screen and in the file you intend to deliver.
- Leave enough space around the logo.
- Style headings of the same level consistently.
- Keep prices and terms more prominent than decoration.
- Review the final output on a small screen before sharing.
