Mines Apparel and Merchandise Guidelines

Creating a consistent and appealing brand image through university apparel and logo usage is crucial for maintaining a strong identity and fostering a sense of community at Mines. Please refer to these apparel guidelines when designing, ordering and using university apparel.  

The Mines logos are trademarked and require a circle R on merchandise, apparel, digital and print marketing materials – Please ensure the circle R remains in-tact and is not modified or moved on your materials.  

Student organizations, research centers, offices and departments must abide by this policy when printing branded apparel and merchandise, including T shirts, pens, water bottles and other items featuring Mines trademarks. If branded items are purchased from non-approved vendors, there may be instances where the university will not be able to cover the cost of the items. 

For more information regarding licensing, merchandise and vendors, please contact Lisa Goberis.  

Approval Process

All apparel items featuring Mines trademarks must be approved and produced by a licensed vendor.

  • Icon representing online checklistLicensed Vendors: To access the latest list of licensed vendors, please download the list here (all vendors listed are approved).
    • Want to work with a vendor that isn’t currently listed? For a small fee, they can apply to become a licensed vendor with our partner, CLC. Visit clc.com to start an application.
    • Scroll down and click “Apply Now” to create an account and start the application.
  • Purchase Order Requirements: All purchases containing Mines logos must be made using a purchase order – use of a OneCard or voucher request is not permitted. Learn more on the Procurement site.
  • Design Approval: All designs must be reviewed and approved via Brand Manager 360. Vendors submit artwork for approval (no action is needed by the buyer). Please allow time for approval.
  • Rejection and Assistance: If your apparel design is rejected, the Office and Communications and Marketing can work with you to find an alternative solution.

Logo Usage

When using Mines logos, do not stack, skew or alter the trademarks in any way.

Legacy Triangle 

  • The standalone legacy triangle is ideal for apparel. 
  • Embroidery sizing:
    • Minimum: 2 inches wide by 2 inches tall
    • Maximum: 3.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall
  • Use your best judgment based on vendor, apparel quality, purpose and sizing.
    Mockup of Mines Merchandise with a branded tshirt, table cloth, tote bag, water bottle, hat, USB, pen and hand sanitizer

    Institutional Marks

    When the text within the legacy triangle is too small to read, or you prefer to feature the wordmark on your apparel, use an institutional mark.

    • Recommended: Center stack logo
    • Embroidery Sizing:
      • Minimum: 3.84” wide x 3.18” tall
    • Best Practices:
      • If the legacy triangle is not legible, use the Colorado School of Mines wordmark.
      • If the legacy triangle is legible, use the Mines wordmark so “Colorado School of” isn’t repeated.
    • Side Stack Logo: Not recommended for chest embroidery; However, if you choose this style, please work closely with your vendor to ensure smaller elements are legible.
    • Text-only Wordmark: Variations of MINES and COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES may be used on items with small imprint areas.
      Mockup of Mines Merchandise with a branded long-sleeve athletic shirt, notebook and table cloth

      Unit Identifiers

      If you are looking to showcase your unit, office or department, use a “Colorado School of Mines” unit identifier.

      • The updated unit identifier typeface (Mines Variable) must be used — the old Gotham font is no longer approved.
      • Embroidery Sizing:
        • Minimum: 3.09” wide x 2.03” tall
      • A legacy triangle may also be placed somewhere else, such as the sleeve or upper center back, but this is not required.

      Athletics Marks

      • Athletics marks, including Blaster, can only be used and approved by Mines Athletics.

      150th Anniversary Lockup

      • Discontinued as of January 1, 2025.
      • Existing inventory may still be distributed, but new orders must not include this logo.

      Logo Placement

      All apparel items featuring Mines trademarks must be approved and produced by a licensed vendor.

      • Upper left chest corner (typical for professional wear like polos) 
      • Upper center back (when another design is on the front)
      • Sleeve placement (legacy triangle or institutional mark for subtle branding) 

        Design Guidelines

        If apparel features a custom design instead of a logo: 

        • Do not alter Mines trademarks or create new variations of the legacy triangle or institutional marks.
        • Include Mines branding elsewhere (sleeve or upper center back).
        • Donkey/burro designs: Allowed but cannot include dynamite or a pack (these are elements of the Blaster trademark).
        • Ensure the registration symbol is visible after MINES. The circled R symbol (®) indicates that a mark is federally registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and is a symbol of quality. 

        Color Palette

        All apparel items featuring Mines trademarks must be approved and produced by a licensed vendor.

        • Primary Colors: Dark blue, Blaster blue, light blue, pale blue, white, light gray, silver. 
        • Accent colors (for internal use only): Earth blue, muted blue, golden tech, environment green, red flannel. Recommended to use sparingly. 
        • Logo prints and embroideries should be one-color (i.e. white, black, dark blue) for clarity. 

        Professional Attire

        • Polo shirts and button-down dress shirts should use primary Mines colors.
        • Must feature the institutional mark, legacy triangle or unit ID.

        General Guidance

        • Do not modify Mines logos (by stretching, skewing or stacking elements in any way).
        • Logos must include the registered trademark symbol in the appropriate location.
        • All Mines-funded apparel must include an official Mines logo somewhere on the piece.
        • Do not duplicate the Legacy Triangle:
          • Examples:
            • ✅ Unit identifier on the front, legacy triangle on the sleeve.
            • ❌ Center Stack on the front, legacy triangle on the sleeve (triangle appears twice).
        • Typography: Use official university fonts such as Halyard, Mines Variable or Oswald.
        • Vendor Considerations:
          • Ensure embroidery or print maintains logo clarity on proofs.
          • Work closely with vendors to ensure details like legacy triangle proportions appear correctly.
          • One-color logo embroidery typically works best.  

        Common Mistakes to Avoid

        Do NOT:

        • Alter logo proportions or enlarge the legacy triangle beyond its standard dimensions.
        • Do not add bright or neon colors to the Mines trademarks. 
        • Stretch or skew Mines logos. 
        • Repeat “Colorado School of Mines” unnecessarily. 
        • Include two or more legacy triangles.

        Best Practices:

        • Ensure logos are properly sized and legible.
        • Maintain clean, visually balanced designs. 
        • Follow Mines color palette for consistency. 
        • Carefully review vendor proofs before production.

        Visual Identity Links

        Logos, trademarks & downloads

        Colors, fonts & graphic elements

        Merchandise, licensing & vendors

        Student organizations

        Research centers

        Logo FAQs

        Project requests

        Communications & Marketing Office

        Download brand guidelines

        Brand Guidelines Cover with an image of Guggenheim Tower