The Bristol Cable – Merchandise Design Contest

Share with us your designs and you stand to win a cash prize of £500. Help us bring forth our latest official merchandise, made by Bristolians, for Bristolians.

Cable Community News 5th September, 2025

Siddhartha Kurapati

From the Ground Up: The People’s Media

For over 11 years, The Bristol Cable has been a beacon of independent journalism and has reshaped the way Bristol is reported. Without fear or corporate pressures, the Cable has been resolute in its stance to hold those in power accountable and stand by the communities in need. Our journalism isn’t done from behind closed doors, but through transparent conversations with Bristol.In our bid to champion the art along with the artist, we invite the community at large to design our latest series of merchandise that helps us sustain our ink!

Reflecting our ethos, the theme for the contest is “From the Ground Up: The People’s Media“.

Share with us your designs through this form and help us bring forth our latest official merchandise, made by Bristolians, for Bristolians.

Submit your entry

Prize

£500 cash prize for the winning design
Your work featured on official merch & promotional materials
Public exhibition at our AGM + full artist credit

Design Guidelines

Theme Focus: Designs must reflect “From the Ground Up: The People’s Media” – emphasizing community-driven journalism, grassroots reporting, and Bristol’s unique identity
Brand Alignment: Designs should reflect The Cable’s values of independence, transparency, accountability, and community engagement.
Technical Requirements: Submit high-resolution files (300 DPI minimum) in PNG, PDF, or vector formats suitable for printing on various merchandise
Versatility: Consider how designs will work across different items (t-shirts, tote bags, mugs, etc.) and colour backgrounds
Readability: Ensure any text is legible at various sizes and maintains impact when scaled down
Originality: All designs must be original work – no copyrighted images, fonts requiring licenses, or plagiarised content
Community Spirit: Designs should feel inclusive and representative of Bristol’s diverse communities
Professional Quality: While creativity is encouraged, designs should be print-ready and professionally executed
Rights: By submitting, you grant The Bristol Cable usage rights for merchandise production and promotion

Deadline: Monday, 30 September 2025

Read the full terms and conditions.

Important: Please don’t use AI to create and submit entries. Any entries found to be made with AI, will be rejected.

Siddhartha Kurapati

Keep the Lights On

Investigative journalism strengthens democracy – it’s a necessity, not a luxury.

The Cable is Bristol’s independent, investigative newsroom. Owned and steered by more than 2,600 members, we produce award-winning journalism that digs deep into what’s happening in Bristol.

We are on a mission to become sustainable – will you help us get there?

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The Bristol Cable – Merchandise Design Contest