Proposal templates
Branding proposal template
Discovery, deliverables, revision structure and pricing for a brand identity engagement.
Preview
See the template as a client-facing document, then open the same starting point inside Hanko.
Studio Monogram
Northstar brand identity
Create a coherent identity system that expresses the brand positioning and works across everyday customer touchpoints.
Approach
Align on positioning, explore two creative territories, refine the selected direction, then document the system for consistent use.
Scope of work
Positioning workshop
Creative territories
Identity development
Guidelines and asset handover
Deliverables and handover
Brand positioning summary
Logo suite and typography system
Color and application standards
Master asset library and guidelines
Timeline
Strategy approval
Phase 140%
Identity selection
Phase 230%
Guidelines delivery
Phase 330%
Engagement investment
Total investment
Strategy approval
Identity selection
Guidelines delivery
Review the scope and payment schedule before accepting.
Assumptions and boundaries
Trademark clearance, third-party font licensing and production costs are excluded unless separately agreed.
Ready to get started?
Accept this proposal to lock in the timeline and kick off the engagement.
What this is
A branding proposal defines what a brand identity engagement covers — from discovery and positioning through to a full visual identity — and, critically, exactly which deliverables (logo, color system, typography, guidelines) are included, since 'branding' means different things to different clients.
When to use it
- Pitching a new brand identity or rebrand project
- After a discovery call, to define exactly which deliverables are in scope
- When a client's expectations of 'branding' need to be aligned with what you actually deliver
What to include
Discovery approach
How you'll arrive at strategy/positioning before design starts — workshops, competitor audit, stakeholder interviews.
Deliverables list
The exact assets included — logo (and how many concepts/variations), color palette, typography, brand guidelines document, and anything beyond that (business cards, social templates) priced separately if not included.
Concept and revision structure
How many initial concepts are presented and how many revision rounds follow — the main source of scope disputes in branding work.
Timeline
Phases from discovery through final file delivery.
File handoff
What formats and files the client receives at the end.
Template text
Copy this into your own document, or open it directly as a branded starting point in Hanko. Bracketed text like [Client Name] is a placeholder to fill in.
Branding Proposal — [Project Name]
Prepared for: [Client Company Name], [Contact Name]
Prepared by: [Your Studio Name]
Date: [Date] | Valid until: [Date]
Project overview
[1-2 sentences — e.g., 'Development of a new brand identity for [Client], including logo, visual system and brand guidelines, to support the launch of [new product/company direction].']
Discovery
• Stakeholder interview(s): [X sessions]
• Competitor and category audit
• Positioning workshop: [format, e.g., 90-minute working session]
Output: a brand strategy summary — positioning, tone, and creative direction — for sign-off before design begins.
Scope of deliverables
• Logo: [X] initial concepts, refined to 1 final direction
• Color palette and typography system
• Brand guidelines document (usage rules, do's and don'ts)
Not included: [e.g., business cards, letterhead, social media templates, website design — available as add-ons]
Process & revisions
1. Discovery & strategy — [X days]
2. Concept presentation ([X] concepts) — [X days]
3. Refinement of selected direction — [2] revision rounds included
4. Final files & guidelines delivery — [X days]
Timeline
Total duration: [X weeks] from kickoff, assuming feedback returned within [3] business days at each stage
Investment
Total fee: $[amount]
Payment: [50%] on kickoff, [25%] on concept approval, [25%] on final delivery
Additional revision rounds beyond those included: $[amount]/round
Deliverables handoff
[e.g., Logo files in AI, EPS, SVG and PNG; brand guidelines PDF; color and type specifications.]
Next steps
Accept below to move to a signed agreement and kickoff.
[Signature / Accept button] Date: [___]
How to customize it
- List the exact deliverables — 'branding' means very different things to different clients, so specificity prevents the most common dispute in this category
- State how many logo concepts are presented and how many revision rounds follow
- Tie payment milestones to concept approval, not just kickoff and delivery, so you're not carrying all the risk on a long revision cycle
- Note any add-ons (collateral, web, social templates) as available separately rather than bundling them in
Common mistakes
- Using the word 'branding' without listing the specific deliverables it includes
- No stated number of logo concepts or revision rounds
- Payment structured as only kickoff/delivery, so a stalled revision cycle leaves you unpaid for months of work
- No brand guidelines deliverable, leaving the client without a way to use the identity consistently after handoff
Frequently asked questions
How many logo concepts should a branding proposal include?
2-4 initial directions is typical, refined to one after client feedback. State the number explicitly — 'concepts' without a count invites an open-ended request for more options.
Should brand guidelines be included by default?
Yes — a brand identity without guidelines is hard for a client to use consistently, and it's a natural place to demonstrate the full value of the engagement.
What if the client wants to add a website to the branding project?
Price it as a separate line item or phase rather than folding it into the branding fee — it's a different skill set and timeline, and bundling it obscures what each part actually costs.
Other templates
Send this proposal with milestone-based payments built in
Build it as a branded proposal in Hanko and invoice each payment milestone as it's hit.