The Bristol Cable – Merchandise Design Contest
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.
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.
