Guidelines

CWU Brand Store

A streamlined way to order CWU-branded products for outreach, recruitment, and engagement

How to Request Branded Items

We’re excited to launch the CWU Club Colors Brand Store, a new tool designed to make it easier for departments to order CWU-branded products for outreach and engagement. In partnership with Club Colors and the CWU Wildcat Shop, this platform gives you access to a curated selection of products that can be customized using pre-approved university branding, such as your department lock-up.

Whether you are welcoming future Wildcats, participating in community events, or supporting a university initiative, the brand store helps you represent CWU with consistency and confidence.

This program is available to CWU departments and units only. Orders must be placed by authorized university personnel using institutional funds. Orders submitted by individuals or groups outside of the university will not be processed.

Promotional Items

Promotional items are CWU-branded products designed specifically for outreach and engagement purposes. These items are intended to be given away, not sold, and may not be used for fundraising, resale, or internal department use.

Common examples include:

Tote bags
Pens and notepads
Stickers
Water bottles

Promotional items are ideal for:

New Student Orientation
Preview Days
Community events
Career or involvement fairs

All products available through the store include pre-approved CWU branding. Departments may apply their official lock-up or department name during the product selection process. Custom artwork is not permitted for recruitment or general outreach purposes. If you are promoting a specific event or initiative, you may request customization through the exception process outlined below.

Department Materials and Uniforms

Some items fall outside the scope of promotional giveaways but still require CWU branding. These include department materials and uniforms, which are considered marketing, operational, or staff-use items and are not available through the CWU Club Colors Brand Store

Marketing Materials

These are items used to support departmental functions, tabling, or event visibility. Examples include:

Tablecloths
Banners
Event signage
Pop-up displays

These materials are commonly used at recruitment events, resource fairs, or university functions but are not intended for public giveaways. If you need marketing materials, you can submit a request at the Marketing and Communications website.

Uniforms

Uniforms refer to branded apparel or gear worn regularly by staff, student employees, or faculty to represent a department or program. Examples include:

Polos
Jackets
Hats
Name tags

Uniforms must be ordered through an approved vendor and will be reviewed by the

Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) to ensure proper use of CWU branding.

If you have questions about ordering uniforms or department materials, please email

marcom@cwu.edu for guidance on approved vendors, artwork specifications, and ordering

processes.

Budget Authority and Payment Responsibility

Before placing an order for promotional items, departments are responsible for confirming the following:

The person placing the order is authorized to make purchases on behalf of the department or unit
Adequate budget is available to cover the cost of the order
Any required internal approvals have been obtained prior to submission, including budget approval

All charges will be processed through internal billing once the order is confirmed and fulfilled.

To avoid delays, please verify your department’s purchasing process and budget availability before submitting an order through the store.

Exceptions and Approvals

The promotional items store is intended for outreach and recruitment using approved CWU-branded products and department lock-ups. Custom artwork is not available for these standard uses.

If you are promoting a specific event or initiative that falls outside recruitment, you may be eligible to request a custom promotional item. All custom designs must be reviewed and approved by CWU’s Marketing and Communications team and the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) to ensure they meet brand standards.

Please note:

Recruitment is not considered an initiative
Promotional items may not be used for resale or fundraising
Club Colors will not be offering custom design work during the initial rollout

To request approval for a custom item related to a special event or initiative, please visit the Marketing and Communications website and follow the instructions for submitting a request.

Steps to Get Started

Follow these steps to order CWU-branded promotional items through the CWU Club Colors Brand Store:

Visit the CWU Club Colors Brand Store
Access the online ordering platform provided by Club Colors. You’ll browse a selection of customizable products approved for university use.
Select Your Products
Choose from a variety of items available in the store. During the customization process, you can apply pre-approved CWU branding, such as your department lock-up or program name.
Confirm Budget and Approval
Make sure you have the appropriate purchasing authority, internal approvals, and available funds before placing your order.
Submit Your Order
Complete your order through the brand store. Club Colors will coordinate fulfillment in collaboration with the Wildcat Shop.
Pick Up or Arrange Delivery
Orders will be delivered to the Wildcat Shop. A staff member will contact you to coordinate pickup or campus delivery.

If you have questions about your order after it has been placed, contact our Club Colors

representative, John Noonan, at jnoonan@clubcolors.com.

For questions about brand guidelines or eligibility, email marcom@cwu.edu.

For questions about the ordering process and picking up your order, email the Wildcat Shop at brandshop@cwu.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies as a promotional item?

Promotional items are CWU-branded products used for outreach and engagement. They are intended to be given away at events such as New Student Orientation, Preview Days, career fairs, and other community or recruitment-focused efforts. These items may not be sold, used for fundraising, or kept for internal staff use.

Can I use the brand store to order products for internal use or staff uniforms?

Not at this time. Currently, the brand store is only for promotional items meant to be given away. If you need assistance with uniforms for staff, student employees, or regular departmental use, please email marcom@cwu.edu for guidance.

Can I request a custom design?

Custom artwork is only allowed for qualifying event promotions or university initiatives. Recruitment does not constitute an initiative. All custom designs must be approved by the Marketing and Communications team and the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC). To request a custom item, submit a request at Marketing and Communications website.

Are Club Colors products already branded when I browse the store?

No. You will first select your product, then apply pre-approved CWU branding (such as your department lock-up) during the customization process.

Can I sell promotional items or use them for fundraising?

No. Promotional items may not be sold, resold, or used for fundraising or other revenue-generating activities.

Who is responsible for payment?

Your department is responsible for ensuring adequate budget is available before placing an order. All charges are processed through internal billing once the order is fulfilled.

How will I receive my order?

Orders are delivered to the CWU Wildcat Shop. A staff member will reach out to coordinate pickup or campus delivery once your order arrives.

What if I need help with my order?

For questions about your order after it has been placed, contact our Club Colors representative, John Noonan, at jnoonan@clubcolors.com.