Getting the Stationery Right

The development of your brand and the design of your logo and stationery is an important part of your marketing strategy. Letters, invoices, mail shots, and statements are all forms of advertising.

Limited companies and Limited liability partnerships (LLPs)

Whether in hard copy, electronic or any other form, the company or LLP must state its name, in legible lettering, on the following:

• All its business letters and order forms
• All its notices and other official publications
• All its bills of exchange, promissory notes, endorsements, cheques and orders for money or good purporting to be signed by, or on behalf of, the company or LLP
• All its bills of parcels, invoices, receipts and letters of credit. (Invoices must also state the VAT number where applicable)
• All its websites

On all of its business letters, order forms or any of its websites, the company or LLP name must show in legible lettering:

• Its place of registration
• Registered number
• Its registered office address
• And if it is being wound up, that fact

Premises

• Every company or LLP must paint or affix its name on the outside of every office or place in which its business is carried on - even if it is a director's or member's home. The name must be kept painted or affixed and it must be both conspicuous and legible.
• The address of the registered office has to be displayed prominently within the premises

Partnerships

Partnerships are required to state on letters, orders, invoices, and receipts, and to display on the premises, the names of all partners together with the principal office of the partnership. Alternatively, they must indicate where a list of partners may be inspected. Invoices must state the VAT registration number, where applicable.

Sole traders

A sole trader operating under a business name must state on letters, orders, invoices, and receipts his or her own name and business address. Invoices must state the VAT registration number, where applicable.

Whenever an email is used where its paper equivalent would be caught by the business stationery requirements, then that email is also subject to the requirements.

Do call us if you would like further help or advice on this subject.