If you’re tired of sending out proposals that look generic or clash with your brand, you’re in the right place. This guide is for anyone using Quoter who wants clients to recognize their business instantly—before they even read the first line of a proposal. I’ll walk you through the real steps to get your branding locked in, point out what actually matters, and flag where you can skip the fluff.
Why Bother Customizing Quoter Templates?
Let’s be honest: most customers don’t read proposals in detail, but they do notice if it looks sloppy or inconsistent. A well-branded template does a few things for you:
- Makes you look bigger and more competent than you might feel.
- Builds trust. Consistent colors, fonts, and logos send a “we’ve got our act together” message.
- Cuts confusion. No one wonders, “Is this really from you?”
Quoter gives you the bones, but you’ll have to do the heavy lifting to make those proposals look and sound like you.
Step 1: Gather Your Brand Assets Upfront
Before you wrestle with Quoter’s editor, save yourself time by collecting:
- Your logo (preferably in PNG or SVG for crispness)
- Brand colors (hex codes are your friend)
- Brand fonts (or, if Quoter’s font list is limited, pick the closest match)
- Boilerplate sections (About Us, Terms, etc.—in your brand’s voice)
Pro Tip: If you don’t have a brand style guide, jot down two or three sentences about your brand’s “vibe” and use that as your north star.
Step 2: Get to Know Quoter’s Template System
Quoter calls them “templates,” but really, you’re working with a mix of:
- Layout templates (overall structure: header, body, footer)
- Content blocks (snippets or sections you can drop in)
- Variables/merge fields (auto-fills like client name or proposal date)
Not everything is customizable, and some settings are global. Here’s what you can and can’t do:
- Can: Change colors, add your logo, edit section text, reorder blocks
- Can’t: Upload custom fonts (as of early 2024), move every element pixel-by-pixel
Don’t waste time hunting for options that aren’t there. Stick to what’s actually editable.
Step 3: Set Up Your Default Branding
- Log in to Quoter and go to “Settings” → “Branding.”
- Upload your logo.
- Use a transparent PNG or SVG for best results.
- Quoter will resize, but check how it looks in a preview.
- Set your brand colors.
- Most templates let you set primary and secondary colors (for headers, buttons, etc.).
- Enter hex codes instead of eyeballing the color picker—consistency matters.
- Choose your template’s base font.
- Don’t stress if your exact font isn’t listed. Pick something close, and focus on consistency.
What to Ignore: Don’t fuss over tiny differences in button shapes or icon sets. Your customers won’t notice, but mismatched colors and stretched logos jump out.
Step 4: Customize Your Template Layout
- Go to “Templates” and select the one you want to edit.
- Edit the header and footer first.
- Add your logo to the header.
- Use the footer for contact details and (if needed) legal disclaimers.
- Keep both clean—no one wants to scroll past a wall of links or tiny print.
- Edit section headings and boilerplate text.
- Rewrite standard sections like “About Us,” “Scope of Work,” and “Terms” in your brand voice.
- Avoid jargon. If your brand is friendly, write like a human.
- Drag, drop, or remove sections.
- Only include what’s actually useful to your clients. More is not better.
Reality Check: The template editor isn’t InDesign. Some things will look a little generic. That’s okay—clean and consistent beats “unique but awkward.”
Step 5: Use Variables and Content Blocks Wisely
Quoter’s variables (a.k.a. merge fields) can save you from copy-paste hell:
- Use variables for: Client name, company name, proposal date, pricing, etc.
- Don’t use variables for: Stuff that rarely changes (like your “About Us” section). Hard code that instead.
You can also create reusable content blocks for:
- FAQs
- Case studies
- Service descriptions
Pro Tip: Keep a “library” of your best content blocks. Reuse, but update them now and then so you don’t sound stale.
Step 6: Preview, Test, and Tweak
Don’t skip this. What looks good in the editor might look weird as a PDF or on mobile.
- Preview your proposal.
- Send a test proposal to yourself and a coworker.
- Check for:
- Stretched or blurry logos
- Off-brand colors
- Weird line breaks or fonts
- Missed variables (e.g., {{client_name}} showing up raw)
- Test on mobile and as a PDF.
- Some clients will print your proposals. Make sure nothing gets cut off.
What to Ignore: Don’t sweat over “pixel-perfect” design. You’re making proposals, not museum pieces.
Step 7: Set as Default and Train Your Team
Once your template looks right:
- Set it as the default template. This saves everyone headaches.
- Show your team how to use it.
- Make a quick loom video or cheat sheet.
- Explain which sections they can edit and which to leave alone.
Pro Tip: Lock down sections that shouldn’t be changed (like terms and conditions). Consistency saves you from accidental off-brand edits.
What Actually Moves the Needle (And What Doesn’t)
Matters: - Logo placement and quality - Matching colors - Consistent wording and tone - Clean, readable layouts
Doesn’t matter: - Fancy animations (they won’t show up on PDFs) - Too much variation (one brand = one look) - Overly formal language (unless your clients expect it)
If you see a new “feature” that sounds flashy but doesn’t make your proposals clearer or faster, skip it.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Forgetting to update every template. If you make a branding change, check your other templates too.
- Over-customizing. If it takes you hours to tweak every proposal, you’ll avoid using the system altogether.
- Ignoring feedback. If a client says your proposal is hard to read, fix it. Don’t blame the template.
Keep It Simple and Iterate
Perfect branding isn’t about chasing every pixel—it’s about being consistent, clear, and easy to recognize. Start with the basics: logo, color, and tone. Get your Quoter template 80% there, then refine as you go. Remember, you can always tweak things later. The main thing? Every proposal should look and sound like it came from you—no guesswork for your clients, no headaches for your team.