Campus Use
UC Davis departments and registered student organizations should be aware of university trademark licensing policies and procedures related to developing promotional or swag products. UC Davis has established licensing policies in cooperation with the Chancellor Leadership Council. The policies are guided by existing UC Davis policies, best practices and emerging industry standards. These policies are consistently reviewed by UC Davis Trademark Licensing and the Chancellor Leadership Council.
Please review the following guidelines below.
Promotional Products Step by Step
An overview of the licensing process from artwork submission to Vendor production.
Recommended lead times:
- 5-10 business days: artwork review by Trademark Licensing.
- 2-10 weeks (average production times): TBD by vendor.
- 3-5 days shipping in the U.S. Longer lead time if produced shipped from overseas.
Step 1
UC Davis unit places orders with a licensed vendor and provides the artwork.
Step 2
Licensed vendors upload artwork and required information in the licensing system.
Step 3
Trademark Licensing reviews (5-10 business days). Additional review may be required if product needs revising (for instance, because of design or product color).
- Note: Trademark Licensing usually works with designated unit Brand Comply for approval.
Step 4
Once artwork is approved, the vendor begins production. Production timelines include time for vendors to source, manufacture and/or imprint chosen products. If item(s) needs to be mailed or shipped, please allow additional time for delivery.
Any entity producing items bearing the trademarks, logos, names or references to UC Davis or its affiliates must order from licensed vendors or be licensed themselves. This includes all campus departments and student organizations.
A 14% royalty on the wholesale price of all branded merchandise purchases will be paid by licensed vendors to the university. Licensed vendors often already include this royalty in published pricing, while others may invoice it to customers as a line item.
Please allow five to seven business days for artwork reviews.
Due to budget cuts, we are only able to review submissions twice a week and must often route to additional reviewers across campus units for sign off. We appreciate your patience and will do our best to respond in a timely fashion. However, we are unable to accommodate rush same-day requests. For any questions, contact [email protected].
Promotional and Internal Campus Supplier List
UC Davis has approved licensees for the right to solicit sales from university departments, groups, organizations and others directly affiliated with UC Davis.
If you need assistance in identifying a current UC Davis licensee to produce your product, please search by product and institution. You will need to cross reference the formulated list with the list below to make sure the company is an approved internal campus supplier for UC Davis.
Find official suppliers to order campus merchandise.
New 14% Royalty Charge on Promotional Orders
Effective January 1, 2026, UC Davis has implemented a 14% royalty charge on all promotional orders. This royalty will be excluded from uniforms, stationery, business cards, name tags and equipment. Proceeds from this royalty fee will go to the university’s central fund managed by Budget and Institutional Analysis (BIA).
- Should any campus department or student organization wish to request an exemption to the use of a licensed vendor or the inclusion of royalties on their purchase, they must receive approval from UC Davis Trademark Licensing.
- Exemptions are extremely limited and requests must be accompanied by significant justifying information. Some purchases – including those for uniforms or official workwear – are already exempt from royalties and do not require the completion of this form.
- If your promotional item order or project requires a royalty exemption, please complete the form linked below. If you have any questions, contact [email protected].
University Departments
In order to safeguard UC Davis intellectual property and satisfy the university’s graphic standards, registered student organizations and clubs planning to display university trademarks for campus merchandising programs or promotions need review and approval from the UC Davis Trademark Licensing office. All merchandising activity must be sourced from a company licensed with UC Davis. For a complete list of university licensees, please see the Vendor List page.
Examples of merchandising activity include:
- Sales of products for fundraising programs
- Sales of products to group members or staff
- Promotional product giveaways
Licensee List for Internal Campus Use
University Department Identity Guidelines
A logo or wordmark is a standardized graphic representation associated with an institution, organization, or business. When used consistently, it helps create a clear and memorable identity and becomes a symbol that provides audiences with immediate and powerful recognition and association with the institution.
The UC Davis wordmark may be used widely by the UC Davis community. A standardized signature system provides options for university colleges and other units to combine a unit name with the wordmark.
Steps for Approval
- Contact a vendor to begin your project. Once artwork has been created, the vendor will submit the artwork to the UC Davis Trademark Licensing office for review and approval.
- Follow up with either your vendor or the UC Davis Trademark Licensing office for the status of your order.
Questions? Please call or email Michael Harris at 530-376-7111 or [email protected].
Requirements
- University trademarks may not be altered and all merchandise must include the department's name and/or logo prominently on the product.
- Departments should adhere to the university brand standards as instructed by UC Davis Strategic Communications.
Registered Student Organizations & Clubs
In order to safeguard UC Davis intellectual property and satisfy the university’s graphic standards, registered student organizations and clubs planning to display university trademarks for campus merchandising programs or promotions require review and approval from the UC Davis trademark licensing office. All merchandising activity must be sourced from a company licensed with UC Davis. For a complete list of university licensees, please see the Vendor List page.
Examples of merchandising activity include:
- Sales of products for fundraising programs
- Sales of products to group members or staff
- Promotional product giveaways
Registered Student Group Identity Guidelines
Registered Student Groups are able to identify with UC Davis in so much as:
- The student group identifies as a student-based organization not to be confused with a university department, program or initiative.
- The student group identity conforms to the guidelines herein and does not infringe on UC Davis registered marks, athletic brand or intellectual property.
Student Organization Names
Student organizations should include the words "at UC Davis" along with their organization's name. For example, "Accounting Club at UC Davis."
Student organizations may use the word "Aggie" in their name, but it must be done in a way that does not construe or imply the university has taken an official position. For example, "Aggie Republican Club" is permissible but "Aggies for Republicans" would not be permissible.
Steps for Approval
- Contact a vendor to begin your project. Once artwork has been created the vendor will submit the artwork to the UC Davis Trademark Licensing office for review and approval.
- Follow up with either your vendor or the UC Davis Trademark Licensing office for the status of your order.
Questions? Please email Trademark Licensing at [email protected].