What you need to know - Legal requirements for your printed stationery

There are a number of legal requirements which you must follow when designing your business stationery. These requirements vary depending on the type of business you run.

Limited Company

If your company is trading as a limited company, you must include the following on your stationery:

• The full registered name
• The registration number and place of registration
• The registered address and the address of its place of business if these differ

NB: There is no requirement to include the directors’ names on stationery if you are a limited company, however if you do choose to include this then all directors names must be included.

Sole Trader

If you are a sole trader you can trade under your own name or you can choose a different business name. If you choose something other than your own name for the business, you will have to include your own name and the business address on all business letters, orders and receipts.

Partnership

If you are a partnership, you must state the names of all partners and the address of the principal office on letters, orders, invoices and receipts. Alternatively, you can indicate where a list of partners may be inspected.

Charities - If the name excludes the words ‘charity’ or ‘charitable’ then you must state the fact that it is a charity on the stationery.

If your company is VAT registered, your invoices must state your VAT registration number. Include your bank details on invoices to aid quicker payment by BACS (bank transfer). Include the account name, number and sort code.