Maryland Brand

Merchandise Guidelines

M Bar Logo

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 athletics merchandise, the M bar must adhere to the following color combinations or use a one-color logo, unless Trademarks and Licensing has granted special permission.

Logo Example

4 versions of the M style University of Maryland logo. each version uses a different background color from the University of Maryland core colors

Allowed Examples

General merchandise can use various colors as long as it follows the one-color format above or has received special permission from Trademarks and Licensing. The following are approved examples:

A Red T-Shirt with thin White Strips, and a large M-Bar logo in the Center
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.
Baseball cap with a forest camoflage print, and a similarly themed M-Bar logo on the back above the size adjustment strap.
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.
Black T-Shirt with the word "Terp" in large letters filled in with the American Flag, and the M-Bar logo directly below the wording
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.
Brightly colored leggings using the M-Bar logo in Red and White as a continuous pattern.
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.

The “M” portion of the logo may be filled with patterns and textures, as approved by Trademarks and Licensing. Examples include:

The M-Bar logo is filled in with the American Flag, the underlining bar still uses the Maryland Flag Pattern
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.
The M in the M-bar logo is filled in with a marbled red pattern, the underlining bar still uses the Maryland Flag.
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.

Prohibited Examples

The M bar logo may not overlap with anything unless it is being used as pattern in the background or as a transparent mark in the background. Trademarks and Licensing can approve alterations from these rules, under special circumstances.

Example of Prohibited use of the M-Bar Logo where the logo is overlapping with another logo
Prohibited: This example of the University logo is not allowed.

Terrafont Bar Logos

This all-caps logo includes the word “Terrapins,” “Terps” or “Maryland” over a flag bar.

Logo Example

8 Versions of the Terra-font style logo, each representing a different appealing color combination between text and background using Brand Colors.

Prohibited Examples

The verbiage may not be altered, such as in these examples:

Exampled of prohibited use of the Terra-font, where the text reads "Terp-opoly"
Prohibited: This example of the University logo is not allowed.
Exampled of prohibited use of the Terra-font, where the text reads "New York", with the word "Terrapins" in a smaller font under the maryland flag bar.
Prohibited: This example of the University logo is not allowed.

“Muscle Testudo” Mascot Logo

This logo features the cartoon version of the university’s mascot, Testudo, holding the letter “M.” No alterations in his stance or what he is holding or his facial expression are permitted without approval from Trademarks and Licensing.

Logo Example

Logo in black and white known as "Muscle Testudo" where the caricature of a muscular diamondback terrapin stands on their hind legs, while holding a large M for Maryland
Logo in color known as "Muscle Testudo" where the caricature of a muscular diamondback terrapin stands on their hind legs, while holding a large M for Maryland

Allowed Examples

Various colors are permitted on general merchandise as long as they follow the one-color format shown in the examples below or have received permission.

The logo may be filled with patterns and textures for special projects, as approved by Trademarks and Licensing. It may not overlap with anything unless it is being used as pattern in the background or as a transparent mark in the background.

Muscle Testudo Logo displayed on the front of a red baseball cap
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.
Muscle Testudo Logo displayed on a green T-Shirt in the Center of a 3 Leaf Clover.
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.
Muscle Testudo Logo displayed on dark tan T-Shirt where the logo is in a slightly lighter tan color allowing it to pop.
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.
Muscle Testudo Logo displayed as a transparent background behind the TerraFont Logo that reads "Terps", accenting, and allowing the TerraFont logo to take precedence
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.

Prohibited Examples

It may not be used on athletics-specific products or athletics-inspired items unless it is a youth product or has received special permission from Trademarks and Licensing.

Example of Prohibited use of the Muscle Testudo Logo on Athletic related merchandise.
Prohibited: This example of the University logo is not allowed.

Uniform Numbers

Official jerseys can bear only the number “1” and the academic year. Merchandise cannot use any current Terp athletes’ numbers.

Approved Examples

A red sleeveless jersey emblazoned with the number 1.
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.

Caricatures

Caricatures of the live university’s mascot, Testudo, and the muscle Testudo mascot are permitted on a limited basis for special as approved by Trademarks and Licensing.

Approved Examples

Caricatures of the Muscle Testudo Logo printed across a pair of crew socks
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.
Caricature of the costumed Testudo mascot on the front of a red T-Shirt giving a thumbs up
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.

Fear the Turtle Mark

“Fear the Turtle” is a rallying cry at the University of Maryland, most closely associated with athletics, but the phrase can be applied anywhere.

Vendors must have a special license to use these marks.

Logo Example

4 examples of the Fear the Turtle Logo with various color combinations between the background and Terra-Font text.

Shell Brand Mark

The stylized turtle shell brand mark, honoring the university’s connection to the native diamondback terrapin, is used primarily as an institutional branding asset. It may not be used on athletics-specific or -inspired merchandise.

Nothing may overlap the shell unless it is in designated rectangle space created by Creative Strategies, a unit in the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Example of Mark

Stylized flat Red Diamondback shell.

Allowed Examples

Various colors are permitted on general merchandise as long as they follow the one-color format, as shown in the example below, or have received permission.

The shell logo is displayed on the front of a green baseball cap
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.

Prohibited Examples

Nothing may fill the shell without permission from Trademarks and Licensing and Creative Strategies.

Traditions Logo

These heritage marks have been used at different points in the university’s more than 150-year history.

Vendors must have a special license to use these marks. The “traditions” license is at an elevated rate, and approved products can be sold only at campus or local retailers such as the University Bookstore, University Shop and better department stores like Nordstrom and Macy's.

They may not be used with current marks. No alterations are permitted, except with colors. Student groups may not use traditions logos.

Approved Examples

The traditions “block M” is not permitted in yellow.

Block M in a Serif Font, and may never appear in a shade of Yellow
Approved: This example of the University logo is allowed.

Restricted Examples

The Terps “script mark” is permitted only in special circumstances.

The word "Terp" presented in a red bubbly cursive font, with a thin black outline
Restricted. This example of the University logo is restricted to very specific uses.

Other Guidelines

Reference to Byrd Stadium is no longer permitted. The venue’s name is Maryland Stadium.

The permitted acronym for the university is UMD, not UM.

The creation of new or generic M logos is not permitted.

Prohibited Examples

Example of a prohibited attempt at making a logo using incorrect font and off-brand color printed on a sock
Prohibited: This example of the University logo is not allowed.

The following mark is no longer permitted. Eventually, it will be added to the Traditions program.

Example of a prohibited logo using a banner of "University of Maryland" directly above a version of the Muscle Testudo Logo
Prohibited: This example of the University logo is not allowed.

Reference to Byrd Stadium is no longer permitted. The venue’s name is Maryland Stadium.

The permitted acronym for the university is UMD, not UM.

The creation of new or generic M logos is not permitted.

The following mark is no longer permitted. Eventually, it will be added to the Traditions program.

Group Specific Guidelines

Typography

All fonts are allowed on merchandise, as approved on a case-by-case basis by Trademarks and Licensing.