Branded merchandise allows staff to share their affiliations with the University of Illinois and Illinois Extension. The University announced new branding in spring 2020. This page provides guidance about where and how to order branded merchandise and apparel.

Extension Merchandise is now available

Log on to the new Extension storefront at go.illinois.edu/ExtensionMerch. Please note these payment instructions:

If your order is being paid with unit funds: Your account has already been created using your unit email address.

• Log on with your unit email account at go.illinois.edu/ExtensionMerch.
• Contact your county director or unit fiscal staff for the password.
• The shipping charge is estimated. The actual shipping cost will be reflected on your final invoice when the item ships. 
• Tax will not be charged for unit accounts.
• Do not share this log on with volunteers. Volunteers should create a personal account only.
• Local pickup is available at the Champaign vendor facility with 1-week advance notice if all items are in stock.

If your order is being paid with personal funds

• Create an account at go.illinois.edu/ExtensionMerch.
• Create a user name and password for your new account.
• The shipping charge is estimated. The actual shipping cost will be reflected on your final invoice when the item ships.
• Tax will be charged for personal pay orders.
• Volunteers who wish to purchase items should follow these same instructions.
• Local pickup is available at the Champaign vendor facillity with 1-week advance notice if all items are in stock.

Branding Approval

• Art approval: Staff should send a draft of their merchandise marketing art to go.illinois.edu/marketingrequest prior to ordering. In the title, please include ART APPROVAL Unit #xx.
• All Extension merchandise must be co-branded with the Extension wordmark. When space is limited, exceptions may be granted.
• For state- and county-sponsored 4-H merchandise the subprogram name and emblem must be co-branded with Extension. The 4-H clover may not appear without the Extension wordmark. The only exception is when items are purchased directly from the national Shop 4-H website and customization is not an option. 4-H Federation merchandise must be co-branded with Illinois Extension. 4-H clubs are exempt from co-branding. When space is limited, exceptions may be granted.
• Master Gardener and Master Naturalist merchandise should be co-branded with Extension. When space is limited, exceptions may be granted.

Vendor Selection

• Approved vendors vs. local vendors: Use an approved vendor when paying with a Pcard. Staff can use local vendors if paying with a purchase order. In either case, art should be approved by the state communications team.
• A list of licensed vendors is available on the Extension staff portal.
• To help units access high-quality, ready-to-ship merchandise, a storefront is being established for the internal purchase of merchandise. Look for the opening around Aug. 15.

Fiscal Policies

Follow all fiscal requirements when ordering Extension merchandise. Offices may use any of these methods to pay for any branded merchandise:

• Purchase orders
• P card
• Unit in/out accounts, with restrictions