The Toastmasters Brand Manual 2026 received an important update in August. Although the document remains labeled Version 2.0, the August revision includes several noteworthy changes from the March edition, particularly in the areas of color, typography, gradients, promotional products, video, and District Conference branding.
For club officers, District leaders, and members who create Toastmasters communications, the updated manual should now be the primary reference when designing branded materials.
A Clearer Color Hierarchy
One of the most visible changes involves the Toastmasters color palette.
The March 2026 manual identified Loyal Blue, True Maroon, and Cool Gray as primary colors. In the August revision, Toastmasters identifies only Loyal Blue and True Maroon as primary colors. Cool Gray is now classified as a secondary color, along with Happy Yellow.
The new manual also adds a full page explaining color hierarchy. Primary colors should dominate most designs and are intended for larger elements such as backgrounds, banners, and major sections. Secondary colors should support the primary palette through backgrounds, highlights, and complementary design elements.
For members creating flyers, newsletters, presentations, and social graphics, this provides much clearer direction on how Toastmasters colors should work together.
More Guidance for Typography
The August manual also strengthens its typography guidance.
Gotham remains the primary Toastmasters typeface, with Montserrat available as a free alternative. Myriad Pro remains the secondary typeface, with Source Sans 3 as the free alternative.
What is new is a dedicated Typeface Usage section that explains how the two should be used together. The primary typeface is intended for titles, high-impact headlines, headings, and subheadings, while the secondary typeface is intended for body copy, captions, long-form text, and lists.
That distinction should make it easier for clubs and Districts to create materials that feel consistent without requiring every piece to look identical.
Gradients and Transparencies Get More Attention
The August edition provides additional guidance on how gradients and transparencies may be used.
A new section explains that transparencies and gradients can add depth to modern layouts and may be combined with photography and copy to create more dynamic marketing materials. The manual is also explicit that only the specified Toastmasters gradients are permitted.
This gives designers more flexibility while still maintaining a recognizable Toastmasters look.
Logo Placement Is Framed More Around Readability
The revised manual also places greater emphasis on contrast and legibility.
When the Toastmasters logo is placed over photography, it should remain completely readable, have sufficient contrast with the background, maintain the required clear space, and avoid competing with important parts of the image. The manual recommends placement toward the top-left or bottom-right when appropriate.
The prohibited-use examples have also changed. The March edition specifically warned against placing the logo on colors outside the brand palette. The August version instead warns against placing the logo on busy backgrounds or patterns.
The practical takeaway is straightforward: the logo should always be easy to see and should never become part of the visual clutter.
Apparel and Promotional Products Are More Controlled
Another important update concerns branded merchandise.
The March edition provided design specifications for club and District apparel, including acceptable garment colors and placement guidelines, and instructed members to submit a Trademark Use Request before production.
The August revision now directs clubs and Districts to order apparel and promotional products through the Toastmasters Online Store or approved preferred vendors. If an approved preferred vendor does not serve the applicable club, Area, or region, club and District apparel must be ordered through the Toastmasters Online Store.
Clubs and Districts planning shirts, gifts, recognition items, or other branded merchandise should review the current guidance before placing an order.
New Video and District Conference Requirements
The August revision also contains changes that District communications teams should note.
Videos must include the required Toastmasters disclaimer in one of the first frames. The updated guidance specifies that the disclaimer must remain onscreen for at least 15 seconds.
District Conference rules also received an important clarification. Toastmasters continues to allow a custom logo, theme, or slogan for the annual District Conference, provided the other branding requirements are followed. However, the August manual now specifies that the only event that may be referred to as the District Conference is the annual conference held in April or May. Themes may not be created for semiannual fall events, and those events may not be called District conferences.
All District Conference themes must also be submitted by email to the Toastmasters International Brand Team for approval before distribution.
What Should Our Clubs and District Do Now?
If you create Toastmasters communications, the most important step is to begin using the Toastmasters Brand Manual 2026, revised in August, as your working reference.
Use the updated guidance when creating new flyers, newsletters, social graphics, presentations, videos, conference materials, and promotional items. Clubs and District teams should also review frequently reused templates and recurring materials to determine whether updates are needed.
Brand consistency is not about making every Toastmasters communication look exactly the same. It is about creating a recognizable visual and verbal identity across clubs, Districts, and regions.
The August update provides more detailed guidance to help members do exactly that.