Merchandise & Promotional Items

Putting a logo on it? Heed trademark licensing requirements for apparel, promotional items and more.

Branded and promotional items like jackets, white coats, table throws and sticky notes are a fun way to represent your WashU group. The university’s trademark licensing and fair labor guidelines present complex requirements for getting branded and promotional products right. The Trademark Licensing Program makes it easy.

Good to know: Trademark licenses apply to any name or symbol representing Washington University or its schools, departments, offices, labs and other units.

A few important requirements

To produce apparel, promotional items or other products representing Washington University or its schools, departments, programs and other units:

1. Use a licensed supplier

  • Our licensed suppliers are authorized to produce merchandise with Washington University trademarked names and symbols. They are familiar with our brand and trademark requirements and will take care of the hard part for you.

2. Develop official artwork

3. Get the artwork approved


Guidelines for School of Medicine artwork

The guidelines below supplement universitywide licensing guidelines provided University Marketing & Communications. Work closely with your chosen supplier early on to develop high-quality artwork that will sail through the approval process.

Use official school and unit names

For text references, use either “Washington University School of Medicine” or “Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.” See the editorial style guide for more official center and department names.

Include brand elements

Represent at least one of the following brand elements:

  • One of the three official logos. Minimum size and spacing guidelines apply. If an item is too small to meet these guidelines, use text only.
  • A brand font. It is permissible to use a non-brand font as long as either the official logo or brand color is used.
  • A brand color. The visual brand guide provides details about the primary and secondary color palettes.

For typical classroom and lab materials, use only brand elements.

Avoid university-level symbols

For School of Medicine products, do not use the university seal, the Brookings Hall circle, the WashU type treatment or the university monogram. Use of the Outline Shield is permitted. Use the solid version for artwork under one inch and the open version for artwork larger than one inch.

ALL BRANDING RESOURCES

Editorial Style Guide

Editorial Style Guide

Check the official styles for abbreviations, punctuation, citations, titles and more.

Shared / Office-wide Email Address

Shared / Office-wide Email Address

Need an office@wustl.edu email address? Learn why and how to use a shared email address for your group or service.

Social Media Account Names

Social Media Account Names

Give your social media account a proper name following these guidelines.

Social Media Guide

Social Media Guide

If you get social on behalf of the school, get to know the school’s and the university’s social media policies.

Video Hosting & YouTube Channels

Video Hosting & YouTube Channels

Hosting videos on an official School of Medicine channel means more exposure to your videos – and less work for you.

Video Production Guide

Video Production Guide

Here’s what you need to know if you are planning, creating or sharing video.

Web Accessibility (a11y)

Web Accessibility (a11y)

Use this guide to improve your site for people of all abilities, including those using assistive technologies.

Web Address / URL Guide & Subdomain Protocol

Web Address / URL Guide & Subdomain Protocol

Your sites’s URL is its address on the web. Here’s help making it descriptive and succinct.

Web Best Practices

Web Best Practices

Visit WashU Sites for tips on Google rankings, accessibility and other website wisdom.