University of Maryland Athletic Department

The Brief

The University of Maryland Athletics marketing department manages promotions designed to boost fan engagement, elevate attendance, and strengthen the Maryland Terrapins brand. Each season, they execute more than 40 unique promotions across multiple sports, relying heavily on t-shirts and branded giveaways for students and fans.

Marked Promo was tasked with supporting this high-volume, fast-paced promotional calendar while ensuring strict brand accuracy, flawless execution, and on-time delivery for every event.

https://umterps.com/

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The Challenge

• 40+ Promotions Annually: A high volume of unique events requiring unique designs, apparel types, and quantities.
• Event-Driven Deadlines: Every promotion is tied to a specific game or event, firm in-hands dates cannot move.
• Frequent Quick Turnarounds: Final art and quantities often arrive less than two weeks before an event.
• Brand Protection: The University of Maryland enforces strict brand guidelines, requiring:
  
  • Proper usage of official marks
  • Exact Pantone colors
  • Licensing approval for every product‍
• Varied Product Needs: While most promotions are t-shirts, the department also requires accessories and other promotional items throughout the season.

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Our Solution

Fast Artwork & Approvals

• Our art department prepares product proofs within 24 hours of receiving artwork from UMD.
• We deliver proofs + product details immediately for internal UMD review.
• Upon UMD approval, we submit all materials to the university licensing department, ensuring compliance before production begins.

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In-House Production

• Our screen printing team produces each order while strictly following UMD’s brand standards, including Pantone-matched inks and correct logo usage.
• In-house capabilities allow us to turn jobs quickly, even under two-week timelines, while maintaining quality and consistency.

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On-Time Delivery for Every Event

• All orders are delivered inside the designated UMD facility by the firm in-hands date.
• This ensures the marketing team has time to stage and prepare items for game day, giveaways, or student promotions.

Our Impact

• Trusted Long-Term Partner: Reliability and precision have helped Marked Promo embed seamlessly into UMD’s seasonal promotional pipeline.
• 100% On-Time Delivery: Promotions launch on schedule every time, supporting UMD’s event-driven calendar.
• Brand Integrity Maintained: Accurate marks, precise Pantone matching, and approved layouts ensure consistency across all promotions.
• Fan Engagement Enhanced: High-quality t-shirts and branded items contribute to energetic game-day experiences.
• Streamlined Workflow: UMD receives proofs, pricing, and timelines quickly, allowing efficient planning and decision-making.

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Key Takeaways

• Strict commitment to brand accuracy
• Reliable, fast turnaround even during busy sports seasons
• In-house art + in-house production = unmatched speed and consistency
• Proven ability to meet firm in-hands dates for dozens of events annually
• Full-service communication and support throughout the process

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