Promotional Items

Creating promotional items can be an overwhelming process. Carefully considering your department’s needs, your audience’s wants, and our best practices will help you create an engaging brand impression.

Questions to Ask Before Creating a Promotional Item

Texas State Student Wearing TXST NEXT merchandise.

Will your audience use this item?

Keep in mind that different audiences, like donors and high school students, have different wants and needs.


Will this item make a positive impression for your department?


Will the item be quickly thrown away?


Do you have enough time for this item to be manufactured and delivered?


How will you distribute the items?

Best Practices

Work with one of our preferred vendors.

They can guide you through the ordering and production process.

University-Approved Vendors Include:

Understand our licensing requirements.

Review information about Texas State trademarks and licensing before ordering your promo items.

Follow logo guidelines.

All Texas State logos have guidelines about proper usage, including minimum size and acceptable colors.

Create clothing with care.

When designing clothes, consider scale and placement of artwork — make sure graphics will look good on different body sizes and shapes.

Understand the product.

Ask for a sample up front. Know what size the finished product will be, as well as the area available for printing. Make sure logos and copy will be legible.

Give yourself plenty of time.

Manufacturing and delivery could take a while and may be unexpectedly delayed.

Review proofs carefully.

Ask for proofs of your item throughout the ordering process.

Which Logo Should I Use?

TXST NEXT Campaign Logo

While you may use the TXST NEXT campaign logo, you do not need to use it on every promotional item you create. If you want to use the TXST NEXT logo on merchandise, reach out to us for guidance.

Four tumblers with the Primary Texas State University logo, an Academic and Administrative logo, the TXST logo, and the TXST NEXT campaign logo.

Any of our logos could be appropriate on items like tumblers. Choose a logo based on your goals and audience.

Four pens with the Primary Texas State University logo, an Academic and Administrative logo, the TXST logo, and the TXST NEXT campaign logo.

Pens are another useful item with a range of logo possibilities.


University Logos

Sometimes, it will be more appropriate to use the university’s Primary or Secondary logo, your unit’s Academic and Administrative logo, or the TXST logo.

Use these logos when:

  • you’re creating polos or shirts for faculty and staff uniforms
  • you want items to represent your department
One polo has a College of Health Professions logo on the left side of the shirt. Another polo has a TXST logo on one side with “College of Health Professions” spelled out on the other side.

Polos for faculty and staff uniforms should feature an Academic and Administrative logo or a TXST logo and the department’s name on opposite sides.

A T-shirt has a small College of Health Professions logo printed on the right side of the shirt.

T-shirts used for faculty and staff uniforms should feature an Academic and Administrative logo.


Sponsor Logos

Be thoughtful of placement and hierarchy if you include sponsor logos on promotional items for events.

Do:

  • Include the words “Texas State University” or “TXST” or use a logo that includes Texas State’s name.
  • Follow the clear space requirements outlined in our logo guidelines.

Don’t:

  • Sponsor logos should not be larger than event or university logos.
A T-shirt with a sponsor logo on the left front side and an event logo on the right front side. The logos are the same size.

Event logo and sponsor logo placement on the front of a shirt.

A large event logo is on the front of a T-shirt, and a large sponsor logo is on the back.

Logos can also be placed on the front and back of the shirt.

Brand Review

We’re happy to review your items before printing to ensure they meet brand guidelines.