Toolkit: Branded Goods

Quick Start Guide

Follow these steps to ensure your project, event, or product is "Aggie-Approved" and legally compliant.

Step 1: Check Your Vendor

All items bearing USU trademarks (names, logos, or taglines) must be produced by a licensed vendor.

  • Action: Search the USU Licensed Vendor List before placing an order.
  • Why? Licensed vendors are vetted for quality, carry required insurance, and use "Officially Licensed Collegiate Product" holograms.

Step 2: Prepare Your Design

Ensure your artwork follows the Area of Isolation and Minimum Size guidelines.

  • Clearance: Keep logos away from other text or graphics to avoid creating a "new" unofficial logo.
  • Legibility: The "Utah State University" wordmark should never be smaller than .375 inches high on print materials (or 85 pixels on digital signage).
  • Fonts: Avoid using Univers, Trajan, or Utah State Bold for custom text; these fonts are reserved exclusively for official university logo creation.

Step 3: Get Artwork Approval

Before the vendor begins production, your design must be reviewed by University Marketing & Communications (UMAC), Licensing and Brand Activation.

Step 4: Additional Permissions

If your project involves third-party logos, co-branding, or will be used for fundraising/resale purposes, additional steps are required:

  • Third-Party Logos: To feature a sponsor’s logo or any external corporate mark, you must submit written authorization to the Licensing and Brand Activation department at licensing.brandactivation@usu.edu.

Authorization Requirements

Official Source: Permission must be sent from the third party’s official business email address.

Project Scope: The documentation must specify the exact project for which the mark(s) will be used.

Duration: The timeframe or expiration date of the granted permissions must be clearly stated.

Co-Branding: If the project implies a partnership (e.g., "USU x [Brand Name]"), it must go through the Trademark Review Process.

Fundraising/Resale: If you plan to sell the items (even for a club fundraiser), a 14% royalty fee typically applies, which the licensed vendor manages.

Contacts for Quick Help

If you are unsure about a specific use case, contact the Licensing and Brand Activation team:

Coordinator

Director

Stephanie Lund

Heidi Adams

stephanie.a.lund@usu.edu

heidi.adams@usu.edu

435-797-7223

435-797-0587