Licensing Information and Purchase Guidelines

General Information for Vendors

Chico State partners with CLC to positively promote the University's brand, protect its trademark rights and generate royalty revenue. Creating and maintaining positive relationships with manufacturers and retailers is an integral part of each program’s overall success. This relationship helps to ensure that products bearing the marks of the university are of the highest quality and satisfy the consumer demand.

CLC offers two types of agreements:

• Retail License: Companies that desire to produce licensed products for resale to the general public should apply for a retail license. 
• Internal Campus Supplier License: Companies that desire to produce licensed products only for internal use should apply for an internal license. No products produced under this license agreement may be sold to the general public. 

Review CLC's quick reference guide (PDF).

Brand Manager 360
Once a license has been acquired, CLC will supply the licensee with a username and password to access the Brand Manager 360(opens in new window) platform. Licensees are required to submit all designs bearing University trademarks for review and approval prior to production, as well as report monthly sales and royalties.

University Marks
University Communications can help provide camera-ready artwork and instructions for its use once you have completed the license agreement process with your company. Please note that all artwork must be approved by University Communications prior to the manufacture of the product. 

Printing and Promotional Items

Guidance for Campus and Off-Campus Partners

Printing of University business supplies (business cards, flyers, brochures, table drapes) must be ordered through University Printing Services using approved templates. Any variations are subject to review and approval by University Communications.

Promotional Items: Promotional items and other products bearing the University’s name, logo, seal, mascot, slogans or other trademarks require advance approval from University Communications to ensure they adhere to Chico State brand standards. UCOMM approves all orders and artwork for products bearing any Chico State marks/branding via a Creative Services Ticket. Once approved, no alternation may be made to the marks or artwork without University Communications’ prior written approval.

It is the responsibility of the purchaser to comply with the noted processes and obtain written approval from University Communications before the purchase and provide documentation when requesting reimbursement. Purchases made without this approval may be considered an unallowable expense. 

Additionally, promotional items may only be purchased from suppliers that have a valid trademark license agreement with the University (or its licensing agent, CLC). Purchases made with University funds from suppliers who are not officially licensed with the University may be considered an unallowable expense.

A few notes when ordering promotional products:

• Product color should be Chico State red, gray, white, or black when applicable, to best represent the University brand.
• Department, college, and school logos should be used to best represent the entity being promoted. Your unit logo can be found on Box (Must log in to view. Search within the main folder to find your appropriate logo.).
• Products should be relevant and useful for best visibility in the promotion of your area.
• Direct all questions to University Communications at ucomm@csuchico.edu or by calling x4143.

Procurement & Contract Services is responsible for the acquisition of all goods, services, leases and construction on behalf of Chico State. Procurement & Contract Services and Accounts Payable created the Procure to Pay Team to facilitate the purchasing process. Find your department specialist.

Local Vendors & Student Groups

Approval for use of Chico State names and logos

Chico State has an identification system of logos and names that are owned by the University and registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. This identification system enables us to protect our name and logos and ensure they are not used in a negative way.

If you want to use one of the logos, marks, or names (California State University, Chico; Chico State, or individual departments/programs/units) in connection with your organization (such as t-shirts, mugs, letterhead), you must get approval from University Communications before you proceed with production or printing.

You must also use only licensed vendors or printers. Quite a few screenprinters in Chico have license agreements with the University that allow them to print our name and logo (you still must get approval for use of the logo or name before you have it printed). The following vendors in Chico have license agreements with the University:

• Chico Screenprint and Embroidery
• HJ Promotional Products
• Limey Tees
• Northstate Screenprint
• Positive Print
• The Monogram Shoppe
• The Printed Image

For artwork approval, please e-mail UCOMM at ucomm@csuchico.edu or submit a Creative Services Ticket. If you decide to work with a printer or vendor other than one listed above who is not licensed by us, let our office know and we will work with them in having a license agreement signed. Sample License Agreement (PDF)

Logos and Visual Identity

Our official logos and marks represent us at the very highest level and they are vitally important to our brand. They act as a signature, an identifier, and a stamp of quality. Proper and appropriate usage of these elements should always be the most consistent component in our communications.

• Logo Standards Guide (PDF)
• Visual Identity Guide (PDF)

University Names

Below is the list of protected and allowable University names:

• California State University, Chico
• Chico State
• Chico State Wildcats

Protected but prohibited from use; without express permission

• CSU, Chico
• California State University at Chico
• CSUC
• CSUC Wildcats
• CSU Wildcats
• California State, Chico
• Cal State, Chico
• Chico State University
• CSU at Chico
• CSU/Chico
• CSU, Chico Wildcats
• CSU,C
• CSU/C
• Chico State Normal School
• Chico State Teachers College
• Chico State College

or any other names or logos that imply California State University, Chico or Wildcats.