|
Stationery can be used to project your business or personal image, but there are also legal requirements about the
information your stationery must include – such as your VAT number and company's registered address. |
| Develop your business image : |
| The stationery you use says a lot about your business - it's an important part of building and projecting
your image. High-quality stationery that displays an attention to detail will reflect well on your business. Cheap-looking stationery with no real design values will
detract from your image and may even lose you customers. Make sure that the business image you present is consistent. The different items of stationery you use
should match each other, and your stationery should also match your signage and your marketing material. |
| You should think about the following factors when designing your
stationery : |
specific typeface |
your logo and letterhead design |
a particular colour or palette of colours |
the text to be included - such as address, phone number, your
business slogan and so on |
paper stock - heavier paper is more expensive but can project a
high-quality image |
Remember that choosing the right name for your business is also
crucial to the impression you convey to customers and potential customers. |
The types of stationery most
businesses are likely to require include: |
Letterhead paper - A4 stationery containing your logo and contact details for your correspondence with customers and suppliers
|
Compliments slips - usually cut-down versions of your letterhead paper, typically attached to documents or cheques you're sending out
|
Invoices and receipts - usually created either as a template for computer printing or as duplicate or triplicate books to be filled in by hand
|
Business cards - a handy credit-card sized format for your
logo and contact details |
There are also a number of legal requirements, depending on the
type of business you run. There is no requirement for sole traders to register a business name. They can trade under their own names or choose a different business
name. However, if as a sole trader you choose something other than your own name for the business, you will have to include your own name and the business address on
all business letters, orders and receipts. Invoices must state your VAT registration number if applicable. |
Partnerships must state on letters, orders, invoices and receipts
the names of all partners and the address of the principal office or alternatively indicate where a list of partners may be inspected. Invoices must state your VAT
registration number if applicable. |
Limited companies must show the name of the company, the country
of registration, the company registration number, the address of the registered office and the address of its place of business, if different. There is no need to
list the names of the company directors, but if you do, all must be shown. Invoices must show at least the company name and VAT number if applicable. |
