"Officially licensed" means the college approved the product and earns a royalty on every single one sold. A licensed manufacturer submits each design to the school for approval, pays to carry the license, and pays royalties on every sale — money that goes back to the university for scholarships and athletics. An unlicensed product looks similar and sends the school nothing.

That's the short answer. Here's what it actually involves on our end.

How a product gets approved

It is a LOT of work to earn that seal on the tag. 😃

When we design something new for the Desden game day line, we can't just print a logo and ship it. Every design goes first to the Collegiate Licensing Company for initial approval, then on to the individual university for a final yes or no. Sometimes that's quick. Sometimes it's three rounds of revisions on a stripe width.

Licenses are also granted by category, not blanket. We hold the license for purses, aprons, coolers and accessories — but we can't make you a baseball cap, because we aren't licensed for headwear. That's why you'll sometimes see a brand carry a school's bags but not its shirts.

How to tell if something is officially licensed

Four things to check before you buy:

1. Look for the hologram sticker on the hangtag. Officially licensed collegiate products carry one. No hologram is the fastest tell.
2. Check the tag for the licensing mark — "Officially Licensed Collegiate Products" or the school's own licensing seal.
3. Look at who's selling it. Campus bookstores, the school's official shop, and licensed retailers carry real product. A marketplace listing with no brand name usually doesn't.
4. Be suspicious of the price. Royalties are built into legitimate pricing. If a logoed bag is dramatically cheaper than everywhere else, the school probably isn't being paid.

Why it's worth caring about

A nice portion of every sale goes back to the school as royalties — on everything we sell here and everything our retail partners sell. Those royalties fund athletic programs and scholarships at that specific university.

So when you buy officially licensed, you're supporting a family-owned business like ours and paying it forward to your team. When you buy a fake, everyone loses — the school, the licensee, and usually you, when the print peels off after two washes.

Who we're licensed for

We're grateful to be officially collegiate licensed for over 80 universities and counting. Shop stadium-approved clear purses or find your team to see what's available.

Don't see your school? Email us and let us know — we're always excited to add new teams to the line-up.