Enhance your communications with powerful visuals that effectively convey your brand and message. Our Marketing and Communications team can design dynamic materials that promote your department, program and activities. Whether it's through eye-catching graphics or engaging newsletters, we can help you create content that stands out and resonates with your audience.
We offer a variety of Microsoft Word templates, email signatures, virtual backgrounds and more for departmental use and quick turnaround projects. These templates come with best practices and step-by-step instructions to ensure consistent branding across the College.
Access department-specific branded templates, lockups and more in the Department Branding Toolkit. If you're looking for something else, submit a communications work order.
Promotional products, often referred to as promo gifts, giveaways or "swag," are customized UB merchandise that can help celebrate school spirit and promote your department. Submit a communications work order to get started with merchandise designs and guidance on ordering products from approved licensed vendors.
Before you begin: Please review the guide to ordering UB promotional items below to understand the purchasing process. Please allow 1-2 months for merchandise to be ready.
All orders must be approved by UB Trademarks and Licensing, including exact reorders. Follow these steps to ensure your purchasing process goes smoothly:
Research and select a vendor from the approved vendor list. Each vendor specializes in different products and items. If no vendor on this list meets your needs, you may request to use an unlicensed vendor from UB Trademarks and Licensing. Note that an unlicensed vendor can only accept one order from one UB department or office per calendar year. Contact UB Trademarks and Licensing at UBTrademarks@buffalo.edu.
Once you’ve selected the item(s) you want to purchase, submit a marketing and communication request with the product link(s). Our team will customize your item(s) before purchasing.
✏️ Note: Please submit a request at least 6-8 weeks before needing the product in hand.
Your licensed vendor may assist in completing the UB trademarks request form, but it is the department's responsibility to ensure its completion.
When filling out the form, include information about the funding source, your group/department, and whether you are selling the item (including fundraising or selling at cost).
Your licensed vendor may submit the trademark request form and product proof to the UB Trademarks and Licensing office. If they don't, you must email the form and proof to UBTrademarks@buffalo.edu. Expect a response within two to three business days, usually on the same day.
✏️ Note: You need to fill out and submit a request for each item you're purchasing.
Once your request is approved, you and the selected vendor will be notified via email, allowing you to proceed with production.
✏️ Note: Submit the trademark approval with your purchasing request to the appropriate procurement office, covering all funding sources (state, UBF, RF, etc.) and procurement methods, including procurement card (P Card), ShopBlue, and eReq. Your licensed vendor should retain the trademark request form for auditing purposes.
Compare the received items to the approved trademark design. If there are discrepancies, contact the vendor. Contact the Trademarks and Licensing office immediately if the error affects any university trademarks.
Before ordering promotional items or merchandise, work with approved vendors and complete the UB trademarks request form to obtain approval from UB Trademarks and Licensing for using your department lockup.
👏 High-five to our super vendor, 4imprint! They'll work directly with UB Trademarks and Licensing to get your items approved so you don't have to.
We create in-house or collaborate with creative service vendors to design printed promotional materials, including posters, postcards, brochures and other collateral. Once you have identified your needs and ideas, submit a marketing and communication request, and we'll contact you shortly. Please allow 1-2 months for the prints to be ready.
For your printing needs, we recommend using Print Services. They offer a variety of services, including black and color copies, posters, business cards, department letterhead, envelopes and more.
For larger print runs, non-traditional sizing, and specialized college print pieces, submit a marketing and communications request. Our team can provide you with information about external print vendors and the processes involved.
If you have any unique printing requirements, our team is here to help you navigate the options and ensure your project meets all specifications and standards. Reach out to learn more about how we can support your unique printing needs.
Department newsletters are a powerful tool for sharing your department’s story. Our team collaborates with departments to create engaging online newsletters, helping you communicate effectively with alumni and friends through rich, web-driven content. Please allow 1-2 months for the newsletter to be ready.
Before you begin: Please review the best practices below to learn how to gather and organize your deaprtment newsletter content.
Create and organize your content in one Microsoft Word document, divided into the following recommended sections:
Content submission: When submitting a marketing and communication request, please include a UBbox link to your content document and high-resolution images.
Integrating cohesive branding into your department's physical spaces can create a memorable impression on students, faculty, staff and visitors. To start your environmental graphics project, submit a marketing and communication request. Please allow a minimum of 2-3 months for project completion.
Before you begin: Review the guidelines before starting your environmental project, whether it's redesigning a space or creating new graphics. This will ensure your project aligns with our branding standards and achieves the desired impact.
Let the Facilities Planning and Management Office (FPMO) be your partner in creating vibrant, functional spaces by developing and implementing space planning solutions tailored to both current and future needs while managing physical space resources, overseeing facility improvements, and ensuring building code compliance.
Submit a request to the Facilities Planning and Management Office
Images and videos are powerful assets that help us tell the rich, full story that is distinctly UB. To ensure your message is clear, compelling, and on-brand, our team can assist in various ways:
Before you begin: Please review the resources below to ensure your visual content effectively communicates your message and represents UB's identity. For assistance, submit a marketing and communication request 4-6 weeks in advance as we cannot guarantee the photographer's availability.
By following these guidelines and utilizing the available resources below, you can ensure your images and videos effectively capture and convey the UB story.
If you need a photographer for an event, classroom activity, or environmental portrait, please submit your request 4-6 weeks in advance as we cannot guarantee the photographer's availability for requests. To get started, submit a marketing and communication request.
If you will be using any individual as the subject of a photo or video shoot, please make sure this person completes the model release form. It grants the university full usage of the photo or video assets in perpetuity. Download model release form
Please include the statement below for events where there will be a photographer. This applies to confirmation emails to participants who register online, program booklets/schedules of events, and other print or electronic communications to participants. For large events, consider including a sign at the event.
"The University at Buffalo will occasionally have a photographer at events such as the one for which you are registered. Please be advised that UB may use photographs taken during events for publication in print and online, including social media. Please alert the photographer at the event should you not wish to have your photograph taken."
Discover UB’s comprehensive free online photo database, featuring a vast collection of images showcasing UB campuses and buildings, faculty, staff, students and significant campus events. This resource is invaluable for your marketing and communication needs, providing professional-quality photographs that are up to date and brand-appropriate. Below, you'll find best practices for downloading images for digital use.
UB Photo Database also includes guidelines for capturing the UB "spirit" in visual form.
Faculty and staff in need of a professional headshot may book appointments directly with our contract photographer. Portrait sessions may take place at the portrait studio in Abbott Hall on the South Campus or at an alternative location mutually agreed upon by the photographer and the client.
Photography fees will be invoiced to you or your department at a rate of $100 per portrait session.
Video and images are critical tools for communication across social media, websites, advertising, and more. The UB Production Group has years of experience producing high-quality video content.
For a customized production and video cost estimate or to request service, contact the Production Group at production@buffalo.edu.
These resources offer low-cost and a wide variety of media options to help you create engaging and visually appealing content for your projects.
UB partners with select vendors to provide comprehensive creative design services to help produce brand-compliant materials, including brochures, flyers, event materials, advertisements, and more.
Editorial support services are also available for an additional fee, though optional. By leveraging these creative services, the University ensures consistent, high-quality communication across all departments.
Before you begin: Please complete the creative brief below and attach it when you submit a marketing and communication request.
Our team is here to support your needs and provide expert guidance on various design and communication projects. We are dedicated to helping you create effective and brand-compliant materials that communicate UB's values. For assistance, please reach out to our team by filling out a marketing and communication request.
Visit the university communications' website to explore the strategy behind the brand. Learn about the proper use of the university's identity, creativity, resources and more.