If you’re using proposals to win business, design and branding matter—sometimes more than you’d like to admit. A sharp, on-brand proposal can tip the balance between "let's talk" and radio silence. But if you’re using Betterproposals, figuring out exactly how to get your look just right isn’t always obvious. This guide is for anyone who wants their proposals to look less like a generic template and more like their own business—without wasting hours fiddling with settings that don’t matter.
Below, I’ll walk you through customizing your proposal design and branding in Betterproposals step by step. I’ll call out what’s worth your time, what’s just window dressing, and how to avoid common pitfalls.
1. Understand the Basics: What You Can (and Can’t) Customize
Before you dive in, it helps to know what’s actually possible. Betterproposals is built to be easy, but it’s not as flexible as, say, building a PDF in InDesign. Here’s what you can control:
- Logo and Brand Colors: You can upload your logo and pick brand colors for headings, buttons, and sections.
- Fonts: A limited—but decent—selection of web-friendly fonts.
- Page Layouts: Choose from templates and tweak the arrangement of sections.
- Cover Images and Backgrounds: Swap out images for a custom look.
- Custom Domain and Branding: Remove Betterproposals branding (on paid plans).
What you can’t do:
- You can’t create completely custom layouts or CSS.
- Not every font or color is available.
- Some design elements (like button shapes) are fixed.
Pro tip:
Don’t sweat the limitations too much. Most clients care about clarity and polish, not pixel-perfect design.
2. Set Up Your Branding Basics
Start with the foundation—your logo and brand colors. These show up everywhere, so get them right early.
2.1. Upload Your Logo
- Go to Settings > Branding.
- Upload a high-res, transparent PNG if possible. Avoid JPEGs with white backgrounds—they look cheap on colored sections.
- Check how it looks on both light and dark backgrounds. If it’s unreadable, consider a simplified mark.
Honest take:
Don’t obsess over logo size. Betterproposals scales things automatically. If it looks blurry, your file is too small.
2.2. Set Your Brand Colors
- In Branding, pick your main brand color. This usually affects headings, buttons, and highlights.
- You can also set accent or secondary colors.
- Use your actual brand hex codes—don’t eyeball it.
What works:
Sticking to one or two strong colors keeps things clean. If you go wild, your proposal will look like a kid’s birthday invitation.
What to ignore:
“Subtle gradients” and “background patterns.” They rarely add value and often distract.
3. Choose (and Tweak) a Proposal Template
Templates are the backbone of Betterproposals. They save you time, but they also set the tone for your brand.
3.1. Pick a Template That Fits Your Style
- Go to Templates > Proposal Templates.
- Browse the built-in options. Don’t get hung up on the sample content—look at layout and vibe.
- Preview a few. See how they handle cover pages, section spacing, and image use.
Honest take:
Most templates are…fine. They won’t blow your mind, but they’re a solid starting point. Pick the least offensive one and move on.
3.2. Customize the Layout
- Edit section order: Drag and drop to match your usual flow (Intro, Solution, Pricing, etc.).
- Add or remove sections as needed.
- Replace sample images with your own photos or graphics. Stock images can make you look generic.
Pro tip:
Keep it simple. You don’t need a 12-section proposal—just enough to tell your story and answer the client’s questions.
4. Adjust Fonts and Text Styles
Typography is one of the easiest ways to look more professional—or more amateur.
4.1. Select Your Fonts
- In the template editor, look for the Fonts or Text Styles area.
- Pick a heading and body font. Stick to one or two.
- Preview how your chosen fonts look on desktop and mobile.
What works:
Sans-serif fonts (like Lato or Open Sans) are safe bets for readability.
What doesn’t:
Script fonts. No one wants to squint through your proposal.
4.2. Set Font Sizes and Spacing
- Adjust heading and body sizes for readability. Don’t go smaller than 12px for body text.
- Use consistent spacing between sections to avoid a cluttered look.
Ignore:
Trying to match your website’s typography exactly. Betterproposals isn’t built for pixel-perfect matches.
5. Customize Cover Images and Backgrounds
The cover image is the first thing your client sees. It’s worth a little effort, but don’t let it become a rabbit hole.
5.1. Add a Custom Cover Image
- In the template, click on the cover section.
- Upload a high-res image that fits your brand. Avoid generic stock photos—use a team photo, your office, or something industry-relevant.
Pro tip:
If you don’t have a great image, use a solid color or a simple texture. Bad stock photos can do more harm than good.
5.2. Play with Section Backgrounds
- You can set different backgrounds for sections—solid colors, images, or patterns.
- Use this sparingly. One or two accent backgrounds are enough.
What works:
Consistent, subtle backgrounds that don’t distract from the text.
6. Remove Betterproposals Branding (If You Can)
If you’re on a paid plan, you can ditch the “Powered by Betterproposals” footer.
- Go to Settings > Branding.
- Toggle off the Betterproposals branding.
- Add your own footer or leave it blank.
Why bother?
It makes you look more established. No client wants to feel like they’re reading a form letter.
7. Preview and Test Your Proposal
This is where most people drop the ball. Always preview your proposal before sending it.
- Use the Preview button to see both desktop and mobile versions.
- Check for weird spacing, broken images, or text that’s hard to read.
- Send a test proposal to yourself or a colleague.
Pro tip:
Ask someone outside your company for honest feedback. If they say it looks “fine,” you’re probably good to go.
8. Advanced Moves: Custom Domains and Integrations
If you really want to go the extra mile:
8.1. Set Up a Custom Domain
- Go to Settings > Custom Domain.
- Follow the instructions to point a subdomain (like proposals.yourcompany.com) to Betterproposals.
- Adds a layer of professionalism, especially for larger clients.
8.2. Integrate with Your CRM or Email
- Connect tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, or Zapier.
- Auto-fill client info and keep your pipeline tidy.
Honest take:
These features are nice-to-haves, not must-haves. Don’t let setup eat your day.
9. What to Avoid: Common Branding Pitfalls
- Over-branding: Too many logos, colors, or “unique” fonts just look messy.
- Copy-pasting from Word: Formatting breaks. Always paste as plain text and style within Betterproposals.
- Ignoring accessibility: Make sure colors have enough contrast and text is readable on all devices.
10. Keep It Simple—and Iterate
The truth: Your client will never say, “Wow, what a beautiful proposal font!” They just want to understand your offer and feel it’s tailored to them. Get your basics right, use clear branding, and don’t agonize over every pixel. You can always tweak your template as you go—focus on clarity and consistency, and you’ll stand out for the right reasons.
Happy proposing.