How to Create an Email Signature that Meets Brand and Accessibility Guidelines

Need help creating an email signature?

To get started see Microsoft's support article Create and add a signature to messages.

Preferred Format

This is the preferred format for WMU email signatures. Try to include all information that is applicable when creating your email signature. This information will help recipients of your emails connect with you by the means that work best for them.

First Last
Title
Department
Address
Office: (555) 555-5555
Cell: (555) 555-5555
Campus site: Room #, building
Preferred WMU Logo (with alt text, Western Michigan University logo.)

This is just a recommendation as more or fewer items might be included. Links to your official WMU directory page or departmental website might also help recipients of your emails get the information they need.

Brand

To have your email signature meet WMU brand guidelines use the following: 

• The preferred font is Arial. Outlook's default sans serif font is also acceptable. See the Brand Typography website for additional guidelines.
• If adding a WMU logo to your signature use this preferred image and make sure to include the alt text Western Michigan University logo.
• Make sure the image is sized appropriately and does not visually compete with the rest of your signature.
  

Accessibility

Image alt text

Make sure images added to your email signature have alt text for those viewing your email with a screen reader or other assistive technology. Alt text is used to describe the appearance and function of an image on a page.

Outlook Desktop Application (Windows)

1. After the image has been added to an email signature
2. Right-click the image and select Picture...
3. Then click the Alt Text tab
4. Make sure the content of the alt text is appropriate
5. Click OK to complete

Outlook Desktop Application (Mac)

1. After the image has been added to an email signature
2. Right-click the image and select Edit Alt Text...
3. Make sure the content of the alt text is appropriate
4. Click OK to complete

Outlook for the Web

1. After the image has been added to an email signature
2. Right-click the image and select Add alternate text
3. Make sure the content of the alt text is appropriate
4. Click OK to complete

Color contrast

The text color you choose should meet level AA standards outlined by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. Test your text with the Siteimprove Color contrast checker.