Frequently Asked Questions

When can I order new stationery & business cards?
Units can place orders now at www.identity.ku.edu/order. Use up existing supplies before ordering new stationery and business cards. Do NOT throw out existing stock in order to update.

Can I get a price estimate?
Pricing for stationery and business cards is available through each vendor's website and shows quantity discounts for individual orders. The price structure reflects annual volume.

Can anyone purchase business cards?
Official KU stationery and business cards are intended for KU employees. Orders can be billed to departments or individual KU faculty or staff members.

Can I use the seal?
The seal may be placed on materials of an official, formal or ceremonial nature, such as documents that describe a student’s academic relationship to the university, on official personnel-related documents and official research-related documents by KU units.

Can we continue to use our own logo?
The new visual identity system was designed to meet the communication needs of all units and to stop the proliferation of disparate unit identities.   Therefore, it should replace all former unit logos and identities.   Special events and activities should be promoted using the new visual identity elements.

When should web sites be updated?
The new KU web template features the KU visual identity and is now available for all offices, departments, and schools. Web sites are expected to adopt the new template by January 2007. More information is provided under the Web Standards section of this site.

How can I get the new fonts?
The main fonts used in the visual identity are Trajan, Gill Sans and Palatino. We recommend the PostScript Type 1 versions of all three fonts, available from Adobe. OpenType and TrueType versions may cause problems in some applications and are not recommended.   Units may purchase these fonts to complement use of the visual identity elements, however they are NOT required.   Unit signatures and identity elements will be provided as vector art.

Why did KU replace the lettering on the Jayhawk?
A key component of the visual identity system is consistency. If KU is to look like one university, all of its major graphic identifiers, like the Jayhawk and the signature, need to have a consistent brand. Hal Sandy intended for the Jayhawk to have official KU lettering, however none existed until now. The 1946 Jayhawk with the old KU lettering will be designated as one of the "historic" Jayhawks, while the Jayhawk featuring the new KU logo will be classified as the "current" Jayhawk.

When will we start to see the new marks on merchandise?
The logos are currently available to licensees through The Collegiate Licensing Company. Licensees can begin incorporating the new marks into designs immediately. As of January 1, 2006 all designs using the Jayhawk must depict the "current" Jayhawk featuring the new KU.   The 1946 Jayhawk will be treated in the same way as the other "historic" Jayhawks henceforth.

How much time do we have to comply?
Compliance should begin immediately for all new materials.   Units are expected to transition materials to the new identity as they are normally updated.   Do not throw out existing stock in order to update.  

How can my unit get on board?
In addition to using the new stationery, units are encouraged to download the identity elements and incorporate them into all communication materials in accordance with the Graphic Identity Standards.   Departments should use the signature of their parent office or school, or alternatively use the KU signature.