Brand Standards: Guides

Clubs and Student Organizations

 

If you are part of a student at Utah State University, these guidelines apply to you. When ordering apparel, merchandise, or promotional items, or hosting a fundraiser, follow these guidelines to ensure your items comply with university policy.

Officially sponsored clubs and student organizations may produce and give away branded goods bearing the university name, trademarks or logos (marks). These may include: t-shirts, uniforms, and other branded goods.

All branded goods must include the name of the club, student organization or activity. All club and student organization branded goods must follow the branded goods guidelines and must be pre-approved by University Marketing and Communications, Trademark Licensing. Items can only be produced by a licensed vendor, if for resale, a retail licensee must be used.

The following guidelines apply:

• All graphics created must be specific to your organization or event. If a graphic is used, or created, university trademarks and logos cannot be incorporated into the graphic as this creates a logo.
  
  
• All items must include the words: Club, Student Association, Sorority, Fraternity, Student Council, Student Group, Student Committee, Students, Students For..., Student Fellowships, Student Community, Greek Letters, Student Chapter, or similar defining terms. 
  
  
• Images and/or logos of third-party sponsors are not allowed to appear on uniforms or apparel.
  
  
• Prior to use, all club or organization designs must be submitted for review and approval by University Marketing and Communications, Trademark Licensing. Please submit artwork via the the artwork approval form.
  
  
• The use of the University logos must adhere to brand standards. Official logos may not be modified in any way or combined with other logos or verbiage. The University logos must stand alone and have the proper area of isolation.
  
  
• Clubs and organizations must remain in good standing in order to be eligible to use the university marks.

Branded Goods (merchandise/swag)

Spirit marks can be used on a wide range of products, uniforms, or merchandise to communicate and express school spirit.

The use of a formal logo on merchandise is always recommended; however, the marks below, may be used in lieu of the formal logos on products, uniforms, or merchandise.

Spirit marks cannot be paired or combined, with formal marks on products, uniforms, or merchandise. University marks cannot be used on red products, uniforms, or merchandise. For additional logo guidelines, please see logo application.

U State

The standalone U State is an informal option for referring to Utah State University. The U State can be used as a standalone mark on merchandise and branded goods.

The U State mark cannot be used on the color red and cannot be modified/manipulated in any way. If placing text below or to the side of the U State mark, please refer to the area of isolation guidelines on the logo and wordmark application page.

Merchandise Only Marks

These marks provide an informal reference to Utah State and can only be used on merchandise goods (uniforms, swag, etc.). 

The marks cannot be used on the color red and cannot be modified/manipulated in any way. If placing text below or to the side of the marks, please refer to the area of isolation guidelines on the logo and wordmark application page.

 

Minimum Embroidery Sizes

Logo	Minimum Size
U State	1.25" high
Block A	1.25" high
Tower	1.75" high
Athletics Bull	1.5" high

 

Branded Apparel Examples

T-Shirts (3 imprint locations)

The examples below show t-shirts with three imprint areas that follow the logo guidelines. 

T-Shirts (2 imprint locations)

The examples below show t-shirts with two imprint areas that meet logo guidelines. When more than one unit needs to be represented, the consolidated logo application will apply.

Limited or Small Imprint Space Products

These guidelines are for items such as stickers, pens, pencils, flash drives and other similarly sized items that have a limited imprint space. 

If logos or spirit marks are used, they cannot be modified and do require the area of isolation.  All logos and trademarks must be reproduced in pre-approved colors, and must be large enough to reproduce appropriately. 

Please follow the general guidelines below and work with University Marketing and Communications, Trademark Licensing on all limited or small imprint space products. We can help create product designs that maintain the integrity of our brand and ensure the logos and trademarks will imprint well. 

• If the product imprint space is 2” x 2” or smaller, often the full logo or wordmark will not fit or reproduce clearly. A wordmark is not required on limited imprint space items. However, all items must either have the U State and/or the words “Utah State University” typed out in a non-restricted font.
• The bull mark and President’s seal are restricted and cannot be used.
• Buildings cannot solely be used as designs. If buildings are used, a skyline must be included with the building. Standalone buildings could be perceived as building logos.
• Stickers must must either have the U State and/or the words “Utah State University” typed out in a non-restricted font.
  
  

How to Order Products

1. Choose a licensed vendor.
2. Work with the licensed vendor to select product(s) within your budget.
3. Follow the apparel, merchandise, and promotional goods guidelines. Whether submitting a design to a licensed vendor or working with them to create the design, the guidelines must be followed.
4. The licensed vendors will submit the artwork to our office via brand manager.
5. Any changes needed to meet guidelines will be communicated to the vendor.

Sale of Apparel, Merchandise & Promotional Goods

Sale of branded goods by officially recognized clubs and student organizations must comply with the university trademark licensing policy and university procurement rules and procedures.

Clubs or organizations intending to sell merchandise that contains the university's name, trademarks, or likeness, must receive advance approval from University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing as outlined in the trademark and licensing policy.

Clubs and organizations must comply with the applicable Student Affairs rules governing purchases. If a retail licensed vendor is not used, and/or brand standards are not followed the university reserves the right to not approve the order.

If the merchandise is to be sold (including for fundraising purposes), a retail vendor must be used and a 14% royalty will be added to the price of the branded goods. The licensed retail vendor is responsible for the royalty reporting obligations and payments on behalf of the university organization. If the merchandise is not being sold, please contact the University Marketing and Communications, Trademark Licensing office for a royalty waiver.

If your club or organization would like to use an online store for order placement and sales, you must contact trademark.licensing@usu.edu to be assigned an appropriate vendor.

 

Club Sports

If you are a student participating in club sports at Utah State University, these guidelines are for you. When ordering uniforms, apparel, merchandise, or promotional items, or hosting a fundraiser, follow these guidelines to ensure your items comply with university policy. 

Apparel, Merchandise & Promotional Goods

Club sports teams may order/sell non-uniform merchandise and promotional items to raise money, encourage fan support, and for personal use. Orders must be purchased through a retail licensed vendor.

Only licensed vendors can legally reproduce university trademarks and logos (marks).

Clubs or organizations intending to sell merchandise that contains the university's name, trademarks, or logos, must receive advance approval from University Marketing and Communications, Trademark Licensing as outlined in the trademark and licensing policy.

The following guidelines apply

• The design of each uniform must provide distinguishing characteristics from any uniform or jersey utilized by Utah State University’s sanctioned intercollegiate athletics teams.
  • The design must be specific to your team and the club name (Rugby Club) and/or club sport(s) must be added as a main focus on the club designs used. 
    
    
• A university mark must be present all all uniform and merchandise goods.
  
  
• Images and/or logos of third-party sponsors are not allowed to appear on uniforms or apparel. 
  
  
• All club sport competitive uniform designs and color schemes must be submitted for review and approval by University Marketing and Communications, Trademark Licensing via the artwork review form.

Clubs sports must comply with the applicable Student Affairs rules governing purchases. If a retail licensed vendor is not used, and/or brand standards are not followed the university reserves the right to not approve the order.

If the merchandise is to be sold (including for fundraising purposes), a retail vendor must be used and a 12% royalty will be added to the price of the branded goods. The licensed retail vendor is responsible for the royalty reporting obligations and payments on behalf of the university organization. If the merchandise is not being sold, please contact the University Marketing and Communications, Trademark Licensing office for a royalty waiver.

If your club sport would like to use an online store for order placement and sales, you must contact trademark.licensing@usu.edu to be assigned an appropriate vendor.

Uniform and Branded Apparel Examples

Uniforms

The examples below show club sport uniforms that meet trademark guidelines. All designs include a university or unit logo. Appropriate registration marks will be added by the licensed vendor.

T-Shirts (2 imprint locations) and Team Gear

The examples below show t-shirts with two imprint areas that meet logo guidelines. When more than one unit needs to be represented, the consolidated logo application will apply.

Artwork Approval

All print pieces, branded goods, and other items bearing any of Utah State University’s logos or trademarks must be pre-approved by University Marketing and Communications, Trademark Licensing per university policy 510.

Please note that branded goods (such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, uniforms, and other similar items that are produced with Utah State University’s name and/or trademarks) are considered licensable and are subject to the University’s Trademark Licensing Policies and Procedures and must be produced by a licensed vendor.

Please submit your artwork for approval via the Service Now Artwork Review Request.

Good Brand Stewardship

When organizing camps, clubs, or other activities and events, it's crucial to respect intellectual property (IP) rights to avoid legal issues and uphold ethical standards. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

Use Original Content: Encourage participants to create their own original content rather than using materials that belong to others. Provide them with tools and guidance to develop their ideas.

Respect Copyright: Emphasize the importance of respecting copyright laws. Teach participants about fair use and how to properly attribute sources when necessary.

Avoid Trademark Infringement: Caution participants against using trademarks without permission. Advise them to avoid using logos, brand names, or slogans that belong to other companies or organizations.

Obtain Permission: If participants want to use third-party content, they must seek permission from the copyright or trademark holder. To be allowed to use third-party content, written permission must be provided to the university trademark licensing director for documentation. This could involve contacting the owner directly or using content that is explicitly labeled for reuse with appropriate licenses.

Create Licensing Agreements: If collaborating with external parties or using third-party content, you must coordinate with university marketing and communications and trademark licensing. This use falls under endorsements, sponsorships, and co-branding and must follow the university trademark review process. All licensing agreements are required to be reviewed and signed by university marketing and communications, trademark licensing, for trademark and logo use. University marketing and communications, trademark licensing can create licensing agreements that outline the terms of use. Ensure that participants understand and comply with these agreements.

Monitor Content: Regularly monitor the content created by participants to ensure compliance with intellectual property laws. Provide guidance and corrections when necessary.

Encourage Creativity: Foster a culture of creativity and innovation within the camp, club, or other activities. Encourage participants to explore new ideas and create original works that they can be proud of.

Lead by Example: As organizers, lead by example by respecting intellectual property rights in all aspects of your activities. Demonstrate the importance of ethical behavior and integrity.

By following these guidelines, you can create a positive and ethical environment where participants can learn and create without infringing on the intellectual property rights of others.