Crafter's Program

A crafter is defined as an individual producing unique, hand-crafted items for sale to consumers through local events (i.e. craft fairs, crafter websites, etc.).

A crafter's license is valid for one calendar year and may be renewed, subject to review and approval by the University's Associate Vice President of Trademark Licensing. The crafter is required to bear all risk in respect to articles and hold the University of Cincinnati harmless, and as such the crafter should consider purchasing product liability insurance.

Please read the information listed below regarding the University of Cincinnati's crafters program and, if you meet the guidlines and are interested in obtaining a crafters license, submit the form above. The Office of Trademark Licensing & Brand Engagement will review your form and respond to your inquiry within 3-5 days.

If approved, you will receive a Crafter's License Agreement from the Trademarks & Licensing Office to review and sign. Once this Agreement is signed by you, the Crafter, the Associate Vice President of Trademark Licensing will sign it, and send an executed copy to you via email with an invoice for the licensee fee.

Upon the execution of the License Agreement and receipt of the licensing fee, an Officially Licensed Craft certificate will be provided by the University of the Crafter to display.

Officially Licensed Collegiate hologram stickers are not provided under the University of Cincinnati Crafters Program, but Crafter licensees are required to display their Certificate(s) when selling their licensed articles.

• You are an individual producing hand-crafter items that will be offered for sale to others.
• You live within the Tri-State region (Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana).
• Your creation method does not utilize any fully automated/mass market processes (sublimation, for example).
• You have no paid employees.

If your operation is larger than these guidelines, then a regular license through the university's licensing agency, CLC, may be a better path. 

Crafters are able to sell on the following platforms:

• Person to person
  
• Craft shows
• Farmers markets
• Festivals
• Flea markets
• Fairs
• Facebook Marketplace
• Etsy
• Artisan/Co-Op shops on a case-by-case basis

Exclusions:

• Sales through personal websites
• Wholesale/third party vendor/distributor sales
• If expected sales are over 500 units or $2,500 in one year
• Sales on campus

Crafters are able to product items that are unique, hand-made, and of an underrepresented product category. UC reserves the right to reject an application for crafters requesting rights to produce goods outside of the spirit of the crafter’s program, or for any other reason. All products produced under the UC crafter’s program must follow the University of Cincinnati’s brand guide. Categories that are not permitted include:

• Digital downloads
• Consumable items/items used on or in the body
• Machine embroidery
• Decals
• Tailgate games
• Drinkware
• Potentially other items on a case-by-case basis

*The above list is not exhaustive and is subject to change

Repurposing unlicensed products, such as unlicensed fabric, is not authorized.

A $100 licensing fee will be charged by the university on an annual basis for gross sales up to $1,000 per year with the following additional fees payable at the end of the year if annual gross sales exceed $1,000:

• $50 for gross sales between $1,000 and $1,500
• $100 for gross sales between $,1500 and $2,000
• $150 for gross sales between $2,000 and $2,500; and
• An additional 12% royalty is payable on gross sales in excess of $2,500

• AB Underwood Co.
• Kay Lewis Designs
• Middle School Chaos
• Susoodles
• Top Rocks Creations
• Zonka Farms