To protect UNO’s reputation and the integrity of the brand, you must always use a licensed vendor to produce branded merchandise, promotional items, and printed communications materials, even if you plan on giving them away.
Licensed vendors have been educated about UNO branding and have been approved to print items with UNO marks.
Product Branding
People love free stuff!
Especially when it shows off our Maverick spirit. Merchandise can be an effective reminder of our brand when your budget allows. However, don't expect it to carry your entire message and compel your audience into action. Instead, it should be a part of the whole Maverick experience.
Merchandise, or as we like to call it, "swag," is any item that you produce with the intent of using as a promotional giveaway or for resale, like pens, mugs, bags, and apparel. This does not include everyday communications like posters, brochures, booklets, etc.
Following a few basic design standards will ensure your merchandise not only promotes your unit, but also advances the university’s brand identity.
Use UNO Marks
Use official UNO marks—either the university system logo, campus icon (the “O”), or the lock-up of the system logo and campus icon—on your promotional items.
Because space is often limited, your unit’s typesetting may be used as the primary mark on merchandise. Unlike in print, typesettings may appear on merchandise without also including the university logo.
Guidelines for UNO marks (colors, sizes, etc.) still must be followed when used on merchandise.
Use the University Name
UNO swag should display the official university name whenever possible, which is: “University of Nebraska at Omaha” or “UNO.”
When using your unit typesetting on merchandise, you should use the version that includes the “University of Nebraska at Omaha” when space allows.
Consider using the university’s homepage web address: "unomaha.edu."
- Our URL is a powerful brand indicator and promoting online interaction with the university is a great opportunity for your audience to further engage with the UNO brand.
- You may also use your unit/program’s URL to take your audience to a specific webpage or use a hashtag that connects your audience to other Mavericks online.
Use UNO Colors
Always use UNO’s brand colors on merchandise. Remember red may be used only as an accent color and should not make up more than 20% of any composition.
One-color Imprints
- You may be limited to a one-color imprint on merchandise, due to budget constraints or product limitations. One-color white or black marks have been created specifically for this purpose.
- Please do not have vendors alter the full-color version of the logo to accommodate one-color needs.
Two-color Imprints
- When printing on a black background, the imprint will be white and PMS 186* (red).
- When printing on a white background, the imprint will be PMS 6 (black) and PMS 186* (red).
*If PMS 186 is not available, use PMS 185. 
Three-color Imprints
- When printing on a dark or light gray background, the imprint will be white, PMS 6 (black), and PMS 186* (red).
- All three colors may be used for special techniques like embroidery or metal casting.
Note: When using the Campus Icon in color, do not remove the white outline as it is part of the official mark. If you are printing on an item with a white background, the outline will not appear.
When designing identification elements for merchandise, keep it simple, and remember that the “O” icon and the University of Nebraska at Omaha name are what will make someone hold onto a pen or t-shirt.
Selecting Product Colors
The main color of your t-shirts and other merchandise should always be black, white, or gray. Red may only be used as an accent color, not the main color.
Choose silver when branding with metallic finishes (e.g. USB drives, trophies, and lapel pins). Gold is not preferred, however, may be acceptable if silver or black finishes are not available.
