You've seen "officially licensed" on plenty of tags.
At Left Grain, those two words stand for a lot of work, a lot of approvals, and a real relationship with the schools and organizations whose names end up on our hats. Here's what they actually mean.
Permission, in writing
A school or organizations name, logo, mascot, and colors are often trademarks. You can't just pop them on a product just because you like them.
Being officially licensed means the organization has granted us the right to use its marks, under a formal agreement with standards we're held to. Left Grain is licensed by Purdue University, Ball State University, the Indy 500, and some of our local school districts.
That agreement isn't a one-time handshake. It comes with ongoing obligations around quality, approvals, and reporting, and we have to keep earning it.
Every design gets a second set of eyes
Before a licensed design goes into production, it goes to the organization for review. They check that the logo is right, the colors match, the marks are used the way they're meant to be, and the finished piece reflects well on them.
For a design studio, that's a good thing. It's the same standard a professional client would hold us to, and it keeps the details honest. When you pick up a Purdue hat from our studio, the gold is the right gold.
The artwork and product design itself is ours. Every licensed product is original, designed in-house, and produced in small batches on Maple Ave.
Your purchase gives back
Every officially licensed product carries a royalty. A portion of each sale goes back to the school or organization it represents.
That means your hat isn't just showing support for a place you love. It's actually supporting it. Unlicensed merchandise skips that step entirely, and the organization whose name is on it sees nothing.
How to spot the real thing
Unlicensed merch is everywhere, especially around game days and race weekends. A few quick checks:
- Look for the tag. Licensed products carry an official licensing label or hang tag. For professional organizations, this is often a holographic (iridescent) sticker or hang tag.
- Check the details. Off colors, stretched logos, and misspelled names are the usual giveaways.
- Consider the source. Licensed makers are proud of it and will say so. If you're not sure, ask.
- Trust your gut on price. If it's a fraction of what everyone else charges, there's usually a reason...and probably some unethical production practices.
Why it matters to us
Licensing partners don't approve just anyone. Earning those agreements takes professional design standards, consistent quality, reliable production, and a studio that can deliver what it promises.
We take that seriously because it's who we are. Left Grain is a design and manufacturing studio, and our licenses are one of the clearest signs of it. The same standards that earn a Purdue or Indy 500 approval go into every custom order and small-batch run that leaves our studio.
Shop our licensed collections or stop by the studio and see them in person.
Need licensed goods for a team, department, or event? Our studio works with organizations directly, with low minimums and design support. Get in touch.