Be on Brand

Creating a flyer, parade banner, certificate, or poster for an event? Designing a t-shirt for your troop or service unit? Below are some resources to assist you in creating materials that stay on trend with our beloved Girl Scout brand.

Girl Scout Guidelines toggle arrow

Please see below for guidelines on using the Girl Scout brand when creating flyers, parade banners, certificates, etc.

The solid trefoil is appropriate for use on unofficial flyers and material – for example, service unit flyers or collateral, volunteer events, parade banners, cakes, etc. It has a few guidelines to follow:

Never use more than one Trefoil on the same application design (flyer, banner, etc.).
Never crop it.
Never rotate it.
Never use it as a pattern.
Never add effects to it.
Never outline it.
Never wrap text around it or lockup text close to it.
Never place it closer to text than the clear space allows.
Never use it to replace a typographic character.
Note: One Trefoil can be use per surface area. For example, a spread in a booklet or workbook can feature a Trefoil on each page.
Never place any text inside of it, including page numbers.
Never place any photos or graphics inside of the trefoil, it should remain a solid brand color.
Never place the Trefoil next to text.

Additionally, please keep in mind when creating materials:

The font “Palatino Linotype” is the approved font for all materials.
We can grant one-time approvals to bakeries for special celebratory items.
Artwork and design sourced from or created by a vendor or other entity outside the council staff may not be used by another vendor unless the owner has granted permission.
Merchandise may be purchased from non-licensed vendors when there are no resale or fee-based events involved. This merchandise is to be strictly used for gifts, displays, and awards.
Merchandise for troop/group money-earning activities (including design and theme):
- Must be council approved.
- May not involve the reselling of ready-made products from any organization or company.
- Must involve hands-on creation of the product/merchandise.
- Must be in compliance with state and local laws regulating sales by minors, food handling, etc.
- Must be sold within the council’s jurisdiction and in accordance with a limited time frame.
- May not involve fund-raising for any organizations or companies.
- May not involve solicitations, sales, advertising, or promotions for any organizations or companies.
- May not involve endorsements for any organizations, companies, or other entities.

The Servicemarks (GSUSA and GSNEO) have strict guidelines to follow:

The GSNEO Servicemark and GSUSA Servicemark are all highly regulated: neither of them can be used on unofficial flyers such as service unit event flyers or collateral for any volunteer purposes, such as events, letterhead, patches, etc.
The GSNEO logo can only be used on official council documents and collateral.

In all cases, it is NOT acceptable to:

Create a design and send it or take it to a non-licensed vendor for printing without approval from the GSNEO marketing and communications department.
Allow a non-licensed vendor to create a design and print product without approval from the GSNEO marketing and communications department.

For products that will be sold or given away in connection with a fee-based event, GSUSA is responsible for approving the product and graphic rendering of any mark (Girl Scout name, trefoil, or other Girl Scout marks or symbols). Additionally, regional licensed vendors must be used when merchandise is given away at fee-based events or activities.

Legacy Marks toggle arrow

Legacy marks, including the face profiles, communicate our heritage’s enduring power.

Legacy marks are only to be used exclusively by GSNEO and GSUSA.

Brand Approvals toggle arrow

Whether you’re creating something to go to print or to the baker, if you’re using any Girl Scout trademarked/licensed assets, you need approval from the council marketing team.

Email marketing@gsneo.org with the subject line “brand approval.” We'll respond within one week with an approval or suggested edits.

Please contact us at the above address if there are any further resources you need!

Girl Scout Graphics for Download and Use toggle arrow

Girl Scout Trefoil: standard
Girl Scout Color Palette (pdf)
Girl Scout Badge Shapes (for badge shape file, please email marketing@gsneo.org to request the usable file and please indicate the color you'd like the badge shape to be from Color Palette PDF above) (png)

Design Services toggle arrow

Let the GSNEO marketing professionals design your branded materials or offer advice on an upcoming project.

Email marketing@gsneo.org with the subject line “design help.”

Print Services toggle arrow

Did you know that service teams have access to branded materials including flyers, posters, banners, brochures, yard signs, giveaways, and more?

We produce, print, and mail them at no charge to the service team. Simply, ask your Service Unit Director to place your order using this link.

Represent Girl Scouts in your community

Thank you for being an advocate for Girl Scouts of North East Ohio at your community events! Please refer to the following tips to maintain brand standards.

Use consistent language and correct Girl Scout branding, as outlined on this page. (Please share this information with the coordinators, spokesperson, or media representatives at events in which you participate.)
Wear the Girl Scout uniform or Girl Scout-branded clothing at community and school functions (e.g., parades, flag ceremonies, recruitment events, Girl Scout troop outings, etc.).
Ask event announcers to distinguish between the two separate youth organizations (i.e., use “Girl Scouts” or “GSUSA” and “Boy Scouts” or “BSA” rather than “Scouts” or “Scouting”).

We are happy to help if you have a question about a partnership opportunity with another youth organization or need assistance with a related situation. Contact the Marketing Team by email at marketing@gsneo.org.

CORRECT BRANDING	INCORRECT BRANDING
Girl Scouts of North East Ohio	Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio
Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)	Girl Scouts of America (GSA)
Girl Scout/Girl Scouts/Girl Scouting	Scout/Scouts/Scouting
Girl Scouts	The Girl Scouts
Girl Scout Troop 1234	Troop 1234
Cookie Program, Fall Product Program	Cookie sale, Fall Product Sale
Earn the Girl Scout Gold Award, Girl Scout Silver Award, Girl Scout Bronze Award	Win the Girl Scout Gold Award
Gold Award Girl Scout, Silver Award Girl Scout, Bronze Award Girl Scout	Gold/Silver/Bronze Award winner, awardee, recipient