The email signature, like a business card or letterhead, serves as a person's professional brand. Any email you send with a well-branded signature offers an opportunity for Appalachian State University to expand its professional credibility.
Email signature guidelines
Do 👍
- Do Keep it short. Use no more than 3-4 lines of text.
- Do only use Appalachian logos, no other images should be used. You can choose not to use an image at all.
- Do be careful with contact information. You may not want everyone you email to have your cell phone number.
- Do include your Appalachian class year. Appalachian is proud of its alumni who work at the university. Alumni are encouraged to add their graduation year after their name. (example: John Smith ’19)
- Do prioritize your web link options. Don't include every single social media or website link you're connected to.
Don't 👎
- Don’t promote a personal agenda, including politcal messages. If it isn't connected to your Appalachian professional life, it doesn't fit in your signature.
- Don't include quotes or taglines. Keep your signature simple.
- Don’t include your email address. It is not necessary.
Signature resources
If you work with confidential information, you are encouraged to include the following clause at bottom of your email signature.
This e-mail and any attached files may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Unauthorized disclosure or use is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender and delete this email from your system without making any copies.
The public records notification may be included at the bottom of the email signature.
As a public institution, Appalachian State University is subject to NC public record laws. Any electronic communications provided to or created by the University in the scope of conducting University business may be subject to public disclosure.
Just text signature is a simple, mobile-friendly format.
Example one:
John Smith | Director of Email Guidelines
University Communications
Appalachian State University
828-262-5555
Example two:
John Smith
Director of Email Guidelines
University Communications | Appalachian State University
828-262-5555 | uc.appstate.edu
Example three with a social media link and the confidentiality clause:
John Smith
Professor, Department of Accounting
Walker College of Business | Appalachian State University
828-262-5555 | accounting.appstate.edu | Facebook
This e-mail and any attached files may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Unauthorized disclosure or use is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender and delete this email from your system without making any copies.
Style guide for Google mail settings
Font: Sans Serif, Font size: Normal, Font style: None
Name (Font style: bold)
Job title
College or department | (vertical bar - use single space on each side) Appalachian State University (always end with the university name)
828-262-5555 (use dashs for phone number) | uc.appstate.edu (use a single web site)
Any clause text (Font: Sans Serif, Font size: Small, Font style: Italic)
Appalachian logo or the Block A are the only images that should be used.
Appalachian logo above the signature example:
John Smith | Director of Email Guidelines
University Communications | Appalachian State University
828-262-5555 | uc.appstate.edu
This e-mail and any attached files may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Unauthorized disclosure or use is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender and delete this email from your system without making any copies.
Appalachian logo under the signature information example:
John Smith | Director of Email Guidelines
University Communications | Appalachian State University
828-262-5555 | uc.appstate.edu
This e-mail and any attached files may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Unauthorized disclosure or use is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender and delete this email from your system without making any copies.
Block A above signature information example:
John Smith | Director of Email Guidelines
University Communications | Appalachian State University
828-262-5555 | uc.appstate.edu
This e-mail and any attached files may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Unauthorized disclosure or use is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender and delete this email from your system without making any copies.
Block A under signature information example:
John Smith | Director of Email Guidelines
University Communications | Appalachian State University
828-262-5555 | uc.appstate.edu
This e-mail and any attached files may contain confidential, proprietary and privileged information. Unauthorized disclosure or use is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender and delete this email from your system without making any copies.
Style guide for Google mail settings
- Use the font: Sans Serif, font size: normal, font style: none
- Link to this Appalachian logo and choose the size: medium. This will make the logo approximately 200 pixels wide.
- Link to this Block A logo and choose the size: small. This will make the logo approximately 100 pixels wide.
- If you choose to use a social media link keep the icons black in color and maximum size of 35 pixels. They are not to compete visually with any of the Appalachian logos used.
- Link to Facebook icon, or Twitter icon, or Instagram icon, or Youtube icon and choose the size: orignal, then link the icon to the appropriate App State social media account.
Name (Font style: bold) | Job title
College or department | (vertical bar - use single space on each side) Appalachian State University (always end with the university name)
828-262-5555 (use dashs for phone number) | uc.appstate.edu (use a single web site)
Any clause text (Font: Sans Serif, Font size: Small, Font style: Italic)
Follow these steps to set up your email signature in Gmail