Identity Guidelines

Why Identity Guidelines Are Important

The 2008 ASBDC Accreditation standards clearly state in Section 3.3 Marketing and Promotional Programs: “For marketing and promotional programs, the requirements for designing, managing, and improving the programs must include a clear integration of strategy, image and a common brand or logo for the SBDC that conveys the SBDC image and identity as a cohesive SBDC network. Information, materials and signage must convey the identity of a cohesive SBDC network.”

SWTXB SBDC “Co-branding”

Since our funding partners include SBA, the UTSA South-West Texas Border Network, and your Host Institution university or college, each SBDC shares a common challenge: appropriate printed and electronic acknowledgment. As is the case with SBDCs across the nation, an approach that integrates the logos and disclaimers associated with their funding partners is used, and for purposes of these guidelines will be referred to as “co-branding”.

Depending on the media (print vs. electronic) and type of document (brochures, flyer, poster, stationary, business cards, signage, advertising, newsletters, web pages, presentations, etc.), the size and placement of the appropriate logos and disclaimers will vary.

As a general rule, the positioning of the logos should be your host institution in a primary position, the SWTXB SBDC logo in a secondary position, the SBA logo and/or disclaimer in a tertiary position, followed by other partners as appropriate. Examples involving various types of print and electronic media are available.

Prior approval

It is highly advised that each Center seek SWTXB SBDC approval before investing in marketing materials to ensure compliance with the current Identity Guidelines.

South-West Texas Border SBDC Network Colors
PMS Blue 295 Pantone Grey 420c

The South-West Texas SBDC logo must appear prominently on:

The SBDC logo's color is PMS Blue 295. It can also be used in black ink.

SWTXSBDC logotype

Options include:

Customized Center Logos

We have put together individual Center Logos to meet the compliance of the Identity Guidelines but still take into consideration contractual agreements between Centers and their respective Host institutions. They have been produced using Abobe Illustrator CS2, a graphic design application. We have decided to leave them in this format to preserve quality as well as scalability. They can also be opened using the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Professional. On a Macintosh, Preview can open them, resize, and convert formats. If another format is needed, it can be provided by request.

• ASU, Outlined Version
• Del Mar, Outlined Version
• El Paso, Outlined Version
• Rio Grande, Outlined Version
• Sul Ross, Outlined Version
• TAMIU, Outlined Version
• TSU, Outlined Version
• UHV, Outlined Version
• UTPA, Outlined Version

Use of SBA logo and statements on materials

SBDCs have two options for the use of the SBA logo and statement of support:
Option 1. Use SBA logo plus statement of support immediately adjacent or below logo. The SBA logo may be positioned in close proximity to an SBDC's own logo or may be placed in a prominent location elsewhere in the material.
Option 2. Use statement of support only. Either option must be present on all materials using project funds (i.e., federal funds, matching Funds, and/or program income) such as press releases, brochures, reports, advertisements, training booklets, websites, etc. Stationery is not included under these criteria.
The SBA logo and/or acknowledgement of support may not be used in connection with SBDC activities that are outside the scope of the Cooperative Agreement. In particular, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES may the SBA logo or acknowledgement of support appear on items used in conjunction with fundraising; lobbying; or the express or implied endorsement of any good, service, entity or individual.

Statement of support

This is the statement of support that must be present on all materials:

A partnership program with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

This acknowledgement of support must appear verbatim and may not be altered or replaced with substitute language. However, on materials with severe space constraints such as signs and banners, an SBDC may substitute "SBA" for "U.S. Small Business Administration" in the acknowledgement of support. The acknowledgement of support must be presented in a legible typeface, font size and - where applicable - color contrast.

Materials featuring editorial contents

Where an SBDC produces materials that feature editorial content, it must use the following alternate acknowledgement of support (either independently or in conjunction with the SBA logo):

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

Use of logo and statements at facilities

The SBA logo must be featured at all facilities open to the public. Such signage must also prominently feature the acknowledgement of support.

Announcements of training or meetings

All notices, promotional items, brochures, publications and media announcements informing the public of events, programs, meetings, seminars, conferences and workshops sponsored or cosponsored by the SBA must include the following accessibility/accommodation notice:

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact [name, address, and phone number of person who will make the arrangements].