5 FAQS About The Toastmasters Brand

It may not always feel easy to design promotional materials when we must adhere to the brand guidelines set up by Toastmasters International.

However, as a member of the massive Toastmasters community, when we are in line with the brand we display our strong connection with it, our deep understanding of it, and our honest representation of it.

Therefore, I bring to you a compilation of five questions I encounter very often from our friends in the community.

1. Can Clubs and Districts have their own logo, theme, and/or tagline?

Unfortunately, no.

We understand each club and each District is unique; however, individual logos and mottos create a lot of confusion and dilute the power of the Toastmasters brand. We strive to provide our members with a consistent experience across 143 countries, so our brand must be instantly recognizable.

If all clubs created their logo, there would be 16,800 of them, instead of one strong, unifying logo. Clubs, Areas, Divisions, Districts, and regions should all use the Toastmasters International logo, the official tagline, and the brand elements.

2. Can Clubs use colours separate from the brand colours for promotions?

Unfortunately, no.

All Toastmasters promotional materials must follow the guidelines specified in the Brand Manual. The guidelines for fonts, colours, photography style, and so on always apply and must be followed by clubs.

3. Can clubs remove the logo from promotional materials, and then use different colours, fonts, and/or elements?

No, as all Toastmasters materials must follow the guidelines specified in the Brand Manual. Even if a specific piece does not require the logo, the other guidelines for fonts, colours, photography style, and so on, still apply and must be followed.

4. Can Clubs use cartoons, clipart, and/or photos of their own choice for promotions?

Please do not use cartoons, illustrations, or clip art in materials created for clubs, Areas, Divisions, Districts, and regions.

Similarly, stay away from images that do not connect to the Toastmasters environment, such as those mainly or solely portraying landscapes, animals, children, food and food appliances, medicine, and architecture.

Ensure that the photos you use reflect the Toastmasters environment, where people look engaged, empowered, and supported, as portrayed in meetings, presentations, speeches, networking venues, conferences, training venues, and speech contests. Always make sure you have permission to use and/or reproduce any images and pictures utilized in your designs. Images protected by trademarks and copyrights should never be used.

5. Can Clubs place the Toastmasters logo anywhere on promotional material?

When using the logo, an area of clear space should be maintained around the logo that is equal to or greater than the distance “X” as indicated in the diagram; “X” is the height of the wordmark.

The minimum size of the logo being used must be 3/4th of an inch for print or 72 pixels for web.

Additionally, the Toastmasters logo can also be used on photographs provided the placement of the logo has good contrast between the logo and the image behind the logo, and the logo isn’t part of anything specific in the image.

The logo also should not directly cover people’s faces or compete with the image.

Use the Toastmasters logo on a background that has sufficient contrast, make sure the logo is completely legible, and use a Toastmasters-approved photograph.

Place the logo with the minimal required clear space around it and ideally at the top-left or bottom-right of the image.

When used properly, the logo helps to deliver a consistent experience across our diverse and unique clubs, while also improving brand recall.

I hope this FAQ compilation helps clarify some of your doubts.

Alternately, you can always check for answers in our Brand Manual. Alternately, feel free to contact me or write to Toastmasters International’s Brand Team at [email protected].

Until next time!?

This article first appeared in the February 2022 edition of District 73 Toastmasters' Southern Cross newsletter. Here's the link - https://bit.ly/3rw0zpq