Applying the Brand
Promotional Items
The Trademarks and Licensing team supports faculty, staff and student organizations who wish to order UMD promotional materials and other merchandise. Its process protects the University of Maryland's marks, names and logos, ensuring that all products are consistent with our policies, values and brand standards. University faculty, staff and student organizations should follow the steps and guidelines below to order branded materials.
Design Guidelines
Any product featuring campus trademarks or logos must use the official trademarked version and be produced through a licensed vendor, whether it's a departmental giveaway, fundraiser or retail item. When these standards are met, branded merchandise becomes a meaningful way to build community and reflect the university's values.
All UMD colleges, schools, departments, centers and institutes, and noncurricular units are encouraged to use their unit logo on merchandise. Student organizations are not permitted a unit logo, and cannot use the university’s informal seal in their designs.
On merchandise, unit logos must adhere to the following color schemes for the font and background:
UMD units can use the M-bar on merchandise, but unit identification should be included. There should be clear separation between the M-bar and unit identification. This mark must include the stylized capital “M” with a specific, horizontal Maryland-themed flag bar beneath it. Note the required double outline on the “M” and flag pattern in the bar.
On merchandise, the M-bar must adhere to the following color combinations or use a one-color logo.
UMD units can use the Terrafont bar logos on merchandise, but unit identification should be included. There should be clear separation between the Terrafont bar logos and unit identification. This all-caps logo includes the word "Maryland," "Terrapins," “Fear the Turtle” or "Terps" over a flag bar. Only the words and formats below may be used.
UMD units can use the Muscle Testudo mascot logo on merchandise, but unit identification should be included. There should be a clear separation between the Muscle Testudo mascot logo and unit identification. This logo features the cartoon version of the university’s mascot, Testudo, holding the letter “M.” No alterations in his stance, what he is holding or wearing, his color palette or his facial expression are permitted.
All UMD colleges, schools, departments, centers and institutes, and non-curricular units are not permitted to use traditions logos, including but not limited to Script Terps, vintage versions of the Block M and vintage versions of Testudo. Exceptions are not generally granted, but requests can be made by emailing licensing@umd.edu.
Ordering Branded Products for Your Department
Choose an approved licensed vendor.
Collaborate with the vendor to create your design. The vendor is responsible for submitting your artwork through the university's trademark licensing portal for institutional approval.
Await the vendor’s confirmation of approval. Trademarks and Licensing will communicate any needed changes to the vendor.
Finalize the order with the vendor.
Vendors and Royalty Structures
Internal License
This license grants a vendor permission to sell UMD-branded merchandise to university internal units, such as colleges, schools, departments, student organizations, sponsors and other affiliated entities, for promotion. Examples of promotion include but are not limited to event giveaways, staff uniforms and conference gifts.
No royalties are charged on internal orders. However, for promotional giveaways, the design must be specific to the internal unit that is placing the order. If generic university logos or trademarks are being used, written permission from licensing@umd.edu is required.
Internal Fundraiser License
This license grants a vendor permission to sell UMD-branded merchandise to university internal unit, such as colleges, schools, departments and student organizations for fundraising. Examples of fundraising include but are not limited to selling merchandise at a campus event and online pop-up shops.
A 12% royalty is charged on orders for internal fundraisers. Additionally, the design must be specific to the internal unit that is hosting the fundraiser.
Questions?
Contact licensing@umd.edu or read more about Trademarks and Licensing at UMD to learn about vendors, royalty structures guidelines for specific groups and our commitment to social responsibility.