Updated April 2022
Definitions:
- Promotional Merchandise: T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, blankets, stickers, buttons, pens. This does not include print or digital assets such as posters and flyers.
- Department Logo: The official Penn-branded logo that is consistent with University logo identity guidelines.
- Tagline: A short phrase used consistently to represent your department. Example: University Life is you!
- Graphic motif: An original visual element used on merchandise to promote a specific department and/or its programing/events. This graphic does not replace the official department logo.
- Custom event motif: An original visual element used on merchandise to promote a specific time bound event or program.
- Large surface merchandise: A surface that has ample room to include two imprints: the department logo and a graphic motif. Example: t-shirts
- Small surface merchandise: A surface that only allows for one, small imprint. If a promotional material is too small and you must choose a department logo or graphic motif, then the department logo must always be used. Example: pens
Guidelines:
All merchandise designs must be approved by University Life.
Department Merchandise
- Must only use the official department logo.
- The logo can be in the official Penn colors or neutral colors (black/white).
- If the department has a secondary color story, the department can represent these colors in the actual merchandise.
Merchandise with additional graphic motif/text/design (for Cultural or specialty Departments only)
- Must use the official department logo.
- Some merchandise can incorporate a custom graphic motif and/or tagline.
- The graphic motif must be used consistently without altering the layout. Motif must be pre-approved by University Life.
- If later a new motif is created, it again must be approved by University Life.
- The department name should only be in the official logo (we don’t want the design to look like an alternative logo).
- The official logo and graphic motif should be separate from each other.
- Graphic motif should be an original design, not a parody or likeness of any trademarked logo/design.
- Similar to above, taglines should be original and not quotations/song lyrics/parody/third-party language.
Merchandise for Department-funded Events/Programming
- Must include the official department logo.
- A custom event design can be created to represent an event/program.
- The event/program name can be in any font/style.
- Must include the date/year in the design.
- The department name should only be in the official logo (we don’t want the design to look like an alternative logo).
- The official logo and custom event/program design should be separate from each other.
- Custom event design should be original, not a parody or likeness of any trademarked logo/design.
