Brand Standards: Guides

Registered Clubs and Student Organizations

Officially sponsored clubs and student organizations may produce and give away branded goods bearing the university name, trademarks, or logos (marks) on items such as 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 so royalties can be collected by the licensee and paid to the university.

The following guidelines apply:

• 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. 
• If a graphic is used, or created, university trademarks and logos cannot be incorporated into the graphic as this creates a logo.
• Images and/or logos of third-party sponsors are not allowed to appear on uniforms.
• 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 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.
• The bull mark and the President’s seal are restricted and cannot be used.

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 place 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 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 application page.

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 be imprinted 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 the 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 either have the U State and/or the words “Utah State University” typed out in a non-restricted font.

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.

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.

How to Order Products

Aggie Print & Mail

Aggie Print & Mail is USU’s non-profit service center providing promotional goods and printing services to our campus community.   

1. Find the product(s) you want on the Aggie Print Promo Place website.
2. Work with Aggie Print to create the design you wish to place on your promotional product.
1. All university brand standards must be followed.
2. Pre-approval from University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing is required. To obtain approval, submit your artwork to the artwork review form.
3. If a university college or administrative unit needs assistance with a design for promotional products, please contact University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing.
3. Place order with Aggie Print
4. Aggie Print will submit all orders to Brand Manager 360 for final review and approval.

Licensed Vendors

Utah State has licensed over 200 companies that can produce the branded goods you are looking for.

1. Find the product(s) you want.
2. Use our Licensed Vendor Database to find the companies that can produce the branded goods you are looking for.
1. All university brand standards must be followed.
2. Pre-approval from University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing is required. To obtain approval, submit your artwork to the artwork review form.
3. Work with the licensee to ensure the desired design will work on the product you want to purchase.
4. Licensed vendor will resubmit the final design to the university for final review through BM360.

AgoraQuote

Agora quote is a service provided by University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing to make the branded goods ordering process easier. Aggie Print is not permitted to bid through the Agora Quote process. If you are interested in a bid from Aggie Print, you can contact them directly at print@usu.edu or 435-797-2625.

1. Work with your marketing team to create the design you wish to place on your promotional product.
1. All university brand standards must be followed.
2. Pre-approval from University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing is required. To obtain approval, submit your artwork to the artwork review form.
3. If a university college or administrative unit needs assistance with a design for promotional products, please contact University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing.
2. Agora will automatically pick the licensees that can produce the goods you are looking for.
1. Ex: if you are looking for t-shirts, only the licensees showing can produce t-shirts for you.
2. You can pick the licensees you would like to bid.
3. Pick the licensees you would like to send the quote request to (for USU Purchasing requirements, quotes must be requested by 3 licensees, however, you can pick as many as you would like).
4. Submit quote(s).
5. Once quotes are submitted, Agora sends the design to University Marketing & Communications, Trademark Licensing for review and pre-approval.
1. If changes are necessary, the changes will be communicated to the licensee. New artwork will be generated and reviewed.
6. Once quotes are received, you will receive an email.
7. Open quote(s) and review them.
8. Pick the quote you would like to go with, accept it, and then the order will be placed.
1. Agora Quote will generate the punch out in Ez-Buy generating the PO for the purchase.
9. AgoraQuote will submit all orders to Brand Manager 360 for final review and approval.