Crafting Maryland’s Sound with Style & Heritage

We blend African artistry with Maryland pride, creating guitar straps and bags that bring comfort, style, and cultural identity to musicians everywhere.

01

Introduction

Inspiration

Crafting guitar straps and bags that embody Maryland’s spirit, blending African-inspired artistry with Maryland’s own style, comfort, and individuality.

CTJ Guitar Shop was founded with a passion for music, craftsmanship, and culture. While we’re inspired by global artistry, Maryland is our home and muse. We’re on a mission to combine vibrant African heritage with Maryland’s unique spirit, crafting guitar accessories that reflect both individuality and community.
CTJ is more than a guitar shop—it’s a Maryland-rooted brand that brings a global touch to every musician. From premium leather guitar straps to custom-designed bags, our products unite artistry, quality, and comfort to enhance every performance.

02

Brand Strategy

About CTJ

Our Vision

To become Maryland’s leading brand for personalized guitar accessories, while steadily growing our global reach.

Our Mission

To create handcrafted guitar straps and bags that combine Maryland pride with African-inspired design, delivering comfort, style, and cultural expression to every musician.

Culture

Each strap includes vibrant African wax cloth, connecting Maryland musicians to African heritage, blending tradition and modern style.

Brand Values

Authentic craftsmanship, cultural heritage, personalized expression, and uncompromising quality

Brand Attributes

Heritage Meets Craftsmanship

These are straps and bags that carry the spirit of African art.

Crafted Comfort

These are handcrafted guitar straps and bags that prioritize style, comfort, and durability.

Custom Design

Personalization meets precision for musicians who seek individuality.

Design Process
  1. Understand the player and their guitar.
  2. Hand-select premium leather for flexibility and durability.
  3. Craft each strap with a focus on comfort and style.
  4. Create custom pieces that enhance performance true to maryland’s pride.
Brand Personality

Authentic

Rooted in Maryland’s culture and inspired by African traditions, we share genuine stories through every design.

Creative

Our designs celebrate individuality, blending bold patterns and vibrant colors with innovative craftsmanship.

Confident

We take pride in producing high-quality accessories that stand out for their durability, style, and cultural significance.

Positioning Statement

Where Artistry Meets Maryland and Beyond

CTJ Guitar Shop is Maryland’s premier destination for handcrafted guitar accessories. We combine cultural storytelling, premium materials, and local pride to create straps and bags that elevate performance and personal expression. Our brand represents a fusion of African artistry and Maryland’s musical spirit, putting us at the forefront of custom guitar accessories.

Core Beliefs

Craftsmanship Is Key

Every product is carefully crafted to ensure premium quality, comfort, and durability.We believe in a gradual, step-by-step approach to health that supports lasting change rather than quick fixes.

Cultural Heritage Matters

We incorporate African-inspired designs to tell stories that connect musicians to a global narrative.

Community Builds Strength

By embracing Maryland’s music scene, we create a supportive and inspiring environment for artists.

Personal Expression Enhances Performance

Our custom designs allow musicians to express their individuality on and off the stage.

Value Proposition

Heritage Meets Functionality

CTJ merges African artistry with Maryland’s dynamic music culture, creating accessories that tell a story.

Handcrafted for Comfort

Our products are designed to prioritize style, comfort, and performance, crafted with premium materials.

Personalization at Its Best

CTJ offers custom designs tailored to reflect each musician’s unique identity.

Our Goals

Dominate the Maryland Market

Establish CTJ as the go-to brand for guitar accessories across Maryland.

Expand Global Reach

Share Maryland’s musical identity with the world through African-inspired designs.

Foster Community Engagement

Partner with Maryland-based musicians, events, and music schools to promote the brand.

Elevate Product Innovation

Continuously refine designs to meet the evolving needs of modern musicians.

Audience Focus

We serve:

Maryland Musicians

Guitarists and bassists who value quality accessories with local pride.

We serve:

Creative Performers

Musicians looking to stand out with custom, culturally inspired designs.

We serve:

Music Enthusiasts Worldwide

Artists drawn to unique designs that blend heritage with craftsmanship.

We serve:

Retail Partners

Stores in Maryland and beyond seeking to stock premium guitar accessories.

Competitive Advantage

Cultural Storytelling

Every product we create is a blend of African artistry and Maryland pride.

Research-Based Nutrition

Hand-selected leather and vibrant patterns ensure top-tier quality.

Community-Centric Approach

Custom Design Expertise

Custom Design Expertise

Our personalized straps and bags give musicians the individuality they crave.

Brand Promise

At CTJ, we promise to:

Provide durable guitar accessories that blend African-inspired artistry with Maryland’s pride.

CTJ Guitar Shop empowers musicians to showcase their style, comfort, and cultural identity with every performance. Rooted in Maryland and inspired by global artistry, we craft accessories that enhance your music journey and tell your story.

03

Verbal Identity

Messaging

Unleashing Musical Passion, One Accessory at a Time

At CTJ Guitar Shop, we don’t just sell accessories — we craft experiences that elevate your music journey.

From hobbyists to professionals, we provide reliable, stylish, and comfortable guitar straps and carriers that let your music shine without compromise.

Your Sound. Your Style. Your Gear.

CTJ Guitar Shop celebrates the individuality of every guitarist, offering accessories that reflect your unique style and elevate your performance.
Our gear isn’t just functional — it’s a reflection of you. Play with confidence and style, knowing you’re equipped with the best.

Gear Up, Stand Out

With CTJ Guitar Shop, you’re not just buying accessories — you’re investing in tools that amplify your music and define your presence on and off the stage.

From durable straps to versatile carriers, our products empower you to perform without limits, letting your talent take center stage.

Tagline

“Wear The Music. Play The Art!”

“Your Sound. Your Style. Your Gear.”

At CTJ Guitar Shop, we empower musicians to express themselves fully with accessories that deliver unparalleled style, comfort, and reliability. Whether you’re jamming at home or performing on the big stage, our gear is designed to let your music take the spotlight.

04

Visual Identity

The Logo

Wordmark

The CTJ Guitar Shop logo embodies the spirit of music, craftsmanship, and passion for guitars. Inspired by the essence of sound waves and the structure of a guitar’s body, the logo blends organic curves with modern simplicity to resonate with musicians and enthusiasts alike. Its design reflects a harmonious balance between creativity and professionalism, making it timeless and versatile across applications.

It features clean and bold typography that emphasizes clarity and modernity. It complements the brandmark and can be used interchangeably or alongside it.

Left-Aligned

This is what it looks like when it is left-aligned.

Center-Aligned

This is what it looks like when it is center-aligned.

Right-Aligned

This is what it looks like when it is right-aligned.

Logo Construction

Clearspace

Use the width of the customized “s” as a guideline to determine the minimum amount of clear space needed.

Logo Color

Dark backgrounds

This is how it appears on dark backgrounds

Light backgrounds

This is how it appears on light backgrounds

Neutrals

This is how it appears on black and white backgrounds.

Logo Misuse

Our logo is our most sacred asset. 
Please treat it accordingly.

05

Color Palette

Logo Colors

Canary Yellow

Represents the energy, creativity, and warmth infused into every product.

Evergreen

Captures the essence of nature, strength, and durability that CTJ Guitar Shop aims to bring to each creation.

Tints & Shades

Light Backgrounds

Tints & Shades

Dark Backgrounds

Tints & Shades

Neutral Colors
Color Misuse

This is a guide against the misuse of our colors

06

Typography

Header Type

Blackford

Blackford, a vintage-inspired typeface, captures CTJ Guitar Shop’s dedication to craftsmanship with a nostalgic nod to classic design.

Crafted with influences from old packaging and labels, Blackford is a perfect match for the artisanal character of
CTJ Guitar Shop.

Primary Type

Graphik

Graphik brings a clean, modern touch to CTJ Guitar Shop’s brand, balancing the vintage feel of Blackford with a versatile and contemporary edge.

The combination of Blackford and Graphik creates a typographic harmony that supports CTJ Guitar Shop’s mission to merge tradition with innovation.

Type hierarchy

Scaling

Titles are written in the Blackford typeface.

All headings, subheadings and paragraphs are written in the Graphik typeface

07

Web & Social

Social
Web

08

Imagery

Photography

09

Live Application