Updated September 2022
Definitions:
- Promotional Merchandise: Giveaways such as 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.
Supplier Choice and Merchandise
Licensed suppliers are the only companies allowed to produce Penn merchandise (apparel or other swag).
- Promotional merchandise includes giveaways such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, blankets, stickers, buttons, water bottles, pens.
- Step & Repeats and Sail Signs are not giveaways but do fall under the promotional merchandise category – a licensed supplier should be used to produce these types of items as well.
If the total purchasing order does not exceed 10k, use any supplier (contracted or approved) in the Penn system. If the total purchasing order does exceed 10k, use a contracted supplier, otherwise, the project must go out to bid.