Creating your own badges and merchandise
We love badges! Here you can find more information about localisation for badges, clothing and merchandise. And a few tips on dos and don'ts.
Members can use some of our trademarked designs on locally produced products. The advice below helps make sure they're used responsibly so we can grow our brand together.
Designing a badge
When creating a badge always include the following 3 items:
- The trefoil (master brand or section depending on which brand is leading)
- Your unit or area name
- The name of your event or challenge (if you have one)
1. The trefoil
- If you're designing a badge for a section then use the trefoil for that section on the correct background colour. For example, on a Rainbows badge you would use a red trefoil on a light blue background.
- If you're designing a badge for multiple sections you can use the Girlguiding master brand trefoil - so a white trefoil on the Girlguiding dark blue (or the reverse).
- Download the trefoils from the create a resource page.
- Check there's enough clear space around the trefoil.
2. Your unit or area name
- The name doesn't need to be a full localised logo. You should separate the trefoil and your localised text to allow space for the badge design.
- For an area - such as a district, division or county, include 'Girlguiding' before the local area name. Never use 'Girlguiding' without a local area name - as this suggests it's an official badge created nationally.
- Always check you have permission to use the local area name.
- If you're tight on space you can drop the area identifier, ie the word district, division or county.
- For units - try to use your full unit name when you can. The word Girlguiding does not need to be used if you've included the section name.
3. The name of your event or challenge (if you have one)
This could be something like ‘County camp 2023’ or ‘Woodland challenge’.
- Try to keep names short so they’re easy to read and memorable.
- Consider including the date and year.
Double check our design do's and don'ts for brand tips before submitting your designs to branding.matters@girlguiding.org.uk for review and advice before they’re approved and created.
We ask for points 2 and 3 so it's obvious that a badge has been produced by a Girlguiding area, rather than being an official Girlguiding badge.
Badges and merchandise for national or international events
Sometimes groups taking part in events organised nationally by Girlguiding may wish to produce badges - for example, for GOLD or a charity challenge. Teams will be given specific badge design information that relates to these projects - please don't make one yourself without speaking to the branding matters team first. Email brandingmatters@girlguiding.org.uk.
Joint badges with Scouts
If you're producing a badge jointly with a local Scout group or area, follow the rules of both organisations and ensure the badge is balanced equally with both brands. You can find guidance about the Scouts’ branding on their website.
Designing merchandise
All locally produced merchandise should follow the same guidance as the badge design. But depending on the size of the item you may choose to use the full Girlguiding localised logo rather than a separate trefoil and localised name.
Check advice on size and safe clear space around the logo. Localised logos can be downloaded from the ODC. Download the trefoils from the create a resource page.
Designing localised clothing
Our uniform gives everyone in Girlguiding a sense of belonging and pride. We take a flexible approach, where we give girls a choice of uniform items. So they can find something that’s right for them.
But, when it comes to special trips and camps we know a unique t-shirt or hoodie is part of the fun!
When designing localised clothing please follow this guidance:
- Each item must have a clear master brand Girlguiding localised logo – created on the online design centre (ODC). The logo can be used in our dark blue or white, depending on your garment base colour. Double check the logo is easy to read, meeting our minimum sizes and has enough safe space around it.
- For your garment base colour, choose any colour from the Girlguiding colour palettes - master brand or sections. (Or as close a match as you can get!) Try to make sure you have a good contrast with the logo so it pops and is easy to read.
- You can add an event name or other design elements to your clothing. Always check if they’re owned or trademarked by other organisations.
Double check our design do's and don'ts for brand tips. Clothing must be sent to branding.matters@girlguiding.org.uk for review and advice before they’re approved and created.
Please don’t use localised clothing in place of uniform.
Design dos and don'ts
Do:
- Involve your girls! For example with badges you could give them a template with the 3 key elements on as a starting point.
- Make sure the trefoil or Girlguiding logo, your unit or area name, and the name of your event or challenge are clear and visible at a glance.
- Check the minimum size and clear space of your logo or the trefoil.
- Make sure the text is clear and easy to read – we recommend no smaller than 11pt on badges.
- Use our Poppins font. Download Poppins for free. And learn how to download and use a font.
- Make sure the colour combinations are accessible.
- Check you have permission to use copyright or trademarked graphics in your design.
Don't:
- Use the trefoil or Girlguiding localised logo more than once. It’s a standalone element, it cannot be altered or used as a pattern.
- Use all caps or italics as these aren’t accessible. See our style guide for more advice.
Other people’s trademarks
If your challenge or event has a theme, you may want to create an item that ties in with this. However, you need to be careful if your theme involves any images or logos that are owned or trademarked by other organisations.
For example, if you're running a Disney-themed camp or a technology challenge you might want a badge featuring Mickey Mouse or the Apple logo, both of which are protected trademarks.
By including copyrighted images, you run the risk of being sued. Please follow our guidelines on how to check copyright, and make sure to get permission for any images you do use.
Through our personalised merchandise service, it's easy to order bespoke badges and items for your unit or area.