My Client-Friendly
Brand
Guidelines
Template
from
Balanced Branding
The InDesign template
you've been meaning to make
...
but SO much better
The Brand Designer Dilemma
Tired of spending hours crafting your beautiful branding work only to realize your clients have no idea what to do with it after delivery?
Trust me, I've been there…
Take Heart, Friend
Deliver better while saving your precious time
I used to deliver the same old brand guidelines. And while my clients loved their new branding, they were clueless when it came to what brand assets they had to work with, where to find them, and how to use them.
That’s when I realized something was missing.
So much strategy and intention goes into every aspect of my branding process, but the actual delivery felt like an afterthought. I decided to solve this problem for myself with a new kind of brand guidelines template. Other designers couldn’t wait to get their hands on it, and the rest is history.
How It All Started
Better Serving
Our Clients
Throughout my years as a brand designer, I was always met by the same client questions and confusion when I delivered their final brand files.
“What does my printer mean by a vector file? Why is there a white box around my logo? How do I convert my brand colors for web? When do I use the secondary logo? Where can I find this file?”
Clients don’t know file types. They don’t know RGB vs. CMYK or what the heck a hex code is. Wading through a labyrinth of final files can be a nightmare for them, especially when they don't know what to look for.
I created my comprehensive Brand Guidelines Template to better serve my clients — giving them a priceless tailored tool — while delivering final files they can actually understand.
What designers are saying
What’s Included
Smart InDesign Template
This stunning template contains 42 pages of pure guidelines gold, with tons of strategic automations and tricks built in to help you save time while better serving your clients.
Client Education
Simple explanations answer all those client FAQs without the headache and ensure your clients understand what brand assets they have, where to find them, and how to use them.
Actual Copy & Prompts
No more wondering what should replace that filler copy. This template is the real deal with actual strategy prompts, usage guidelines, and other helpful copy baked in for your benefit.
My Final File System & Template
Clear final files are essential so clients can find exactly what they need when they need it. My final file system works seamlessly with the BGT, and I’ll walk you through every piece of it.
Helpful Tutorials
Short and sweet tutorials ensure you understand how my BGT works, so you can take advantage of all the time-saving tricks and use this beauty to her full potential.
Customization Checklist
My printable customization checklist allows you to keep track of your progress on each set of guidelines and pat yourself on the back with each little check along the way.
Contents
Brand Strategy
Identity Rationale
File Format Guide
Visual Brand Index
Brand Specs
Usage Guidelines
Color Palette
Brand Typography
Icon Family
Custom Patterns
Digital Presence
Beyond Branding
Bonus
InDesign Shortcuts Guide
Just Like Magic
SMART FEATURES
I believe the best way to teach clients to use their brands properly is to show them. That's why I strategically designed my BGT so the entire document can be tailored to each brand's unique style in a matter of minutes.
You save tons of time while delivering final files your clients actually understand. Meanwhile, your clients get a priceless brand tool made especially for them.
Effortless Text Updates
Update every instance of the brand name and file name in seconds
Page Numbering Magic
No more manual page numbering — the new Contents page just knows
Quickly Tailor Type & Colors
Style the entire doc to each unique client in a matter of minutes
Master Layouts & Variations
Ease and design flexibility when you need it most
Auto-Fitting Image Frames
Images placed perfectly the first time, no adjustments needed
Smart Document Linking
Help clients jump to the content they need when they need it
From the client’s perspective
“Beyond the assets that fully embody and express our brand’s heart and persona, I was BLOWN AWAY with the brand guidelines Melissa delivered. This document answered questions we didn’t even know we had and has made it seamless to introduce new vendors to our brand and brand assets. Once again, Melissa made us look so good, and saved us time and energy.
If I could sum it up, the brand guidelines are just another example of why Melissa stands out from other designers and is worth every penny. This tool is one of a kind, and helps us be more efficient and professional.”
Hannah Soto, Founder & CEO
Grey House Productions
Every
one
Wins
My Designer Friends
Quickly tailor the entire document to each unique brand and deliver stunning guidelines that actually help your clients. Provide a better branding experience that allows you to charge more while saving countless time with your template secret weapon.
Our Beloved Clients
Help your clients understand how to use their beautiful new branding properly while reminding them of the strategy behind the designs. Deliver a priceless brand tool they’ll refer to again and again — a constant reminder of their amazing designer.
Planning ahead?
My Balanced Branding Rebate
My Brand Guidelines Template is included with my Balanced Branding course. However, if you’re not ready for that investment yet, I still want you to have access to this amazing template so you can start delivering better for your branding clients while saving more of your precious time.
If you purchase the template now, I'll give you a $303 discount towards my Balanced Branding course whenever you’re ready to enroll.
Win win win
More Designer Love
Ready to deliver better?
Enroll
Now
*
Let’s Plant A Forest
For each new student who enrolls, I’ll plant a tree with One Tree Planted, a non-profit organization focused on global reforestation.
In case you’re wondering
FAQ
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My Brand Guidelines Template is designed for logo and brand identity designers who want to deliver clear, comprehensive guidelines to their branding clients that are cohesive and insanely easy to customize. I created this template for myself originally, and was pleasantly surprised that other designers needed this solution too, so I'm thrilled to share it!
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The template is an Adobe InDesign document.
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Although Adobe Illustrator reigns supreme when it comes to crafting logos and brand assets, InDesign is king when it comes to designing complex multi-page documents. The control over typography and styling has no equal, and the robust nature of this program has allowed me to build in the strategic automations that make this template so special.
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Since this template uses advanced features and styling techniques, I highly recommend that you're comfortable working with Adobe InDesign, however there are tutorials included to walk you through how to customize the template and use it to its full potential.
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Nope! I've included a version that will work for Indesign CS4 or later, in addition to the one for Creative Cloud. So as long as you're working with InDesign CS4 or later, I've got you covered!
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Since you get access to the template and all other content as soon as you purchase, all sales are final and nonrefundable. If you have any questions about the template, you can email me at hi@melissayeager.com.
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Yes, my BGT is one of the templates included with Balanced Branding. However, the course is only offered twice a year and I don't want you to have to wait if you need this template now. That said, I will be offering a $303 rebate towards my Balanced Branding course to anyone who's purchased this template on its own.
– PS –
If you’re still not sure if my Brand Guidelines Template is right for you, drop me a line and we’ll figure it out together.