How to request a license
The steps in the design approval process are:
- Present the design electronically in PDF format for MTA review/approval.
- Submit a prototype for approval.
- Provide production samples for MTA to compare to the prototype for confirmation.
Each of these steps takes three to five days. In the event that urgent or same-day approval is requested, we will make every effort to accommodate the request. However, we cannot guarantee immediate turnaround.
Selling your product to the NY Transit Museum
Some MTA licensed products are featured for sale through the New York Transit Museum's online store. Upon request, we can schedule a meeting for company representatives to discuss potential sales through NY Transit Museum stores.
Contact us
To request a license, reach out to the MTA's licensing agent, Arlene Scanlan of Moxie & Company, at ascanlan@moxieco.com.
Licensed product categories
- Apparel
- Accessories
- Plushes
- Home fashion and décor
- Holiday items
- Stationery, pens, and books
- Games, toys, and scale models
- Ceramics, glassware, and tabletop goods
- Jewelry and gift items
- Interactive and entertainment
- Retail store-within-a-store concepts
- Packaging and POP concepts (boxes, hang tags)
Intellectual property
We own and control all rights to the use of our intellectual properties, which includes our name and logos, symbols and signage, images used on equipment and facilities, artistic works, archival and contemporary photography, architectural and industrial designs, maps, and fare media.
These properties offer you a chance to leverage the system’s status as a New York icon.
Categories of intellectual property
- Signage
- MetroCard and subway tokens
- Stations
- Subway maps
- Grand Central Terminal
- Route indicators
- Rolling stock
- Historic and contemporary images
- Arts for Transit
Style guidelines
Officially licensed signature
The MTA Officially Licensed Signature is illustrated here in positive and reverse.
Note that because of the way the eye views negative and positive space, the artwork for the positive and reverse symbol is drawn differently. Always use the appropriate version of artwork as provided by the MTA.
Signature placement
The signature must be placed visibly and permanently on the licensed article in a manner approved by the MTA, as well as on any packaging and hang tag or decal. Any exceptions to the “rule of permanence” shall still require placement of the signature on packaging and hang tags or decals.
Do not:
- Attempt to construct the signature.
- Add color, including in a way that causes the “M” to appear completed.
- Print the signature in more than one color.
- Change the spacing of the elements.
Examples of approved MTA officially licensed hang tags
Important things to know
While we prefer that iconic items be used without revision, we do allow a degree of stylizing for some properties, subject to our review/approval. An example: a “Y” token chocolate that does not duplicate the detail of the actual token.
We’re open to adjusting colors for stylistic and artistic purposes, with the exception of certain properties.
There’s no requirement for a specific font, but we prefer the Helvetica family.
You can:
- Use either the entire subway map or a portion of the map.
- Use replicas of tokens (rather than having to use authentic ones).
- Include appropriate text copy along with image of properties.
You cannot:
- Combine your logo with the MTA logo.
- Use subway route indicators to spell words or phrases. You can use the one existing combination that spells a word, which is ACE.
How to get subway tokens and other authentic items
Tokens and other archival materials are available for purchase from MTA New York City Transit Surplus Materials Sales.
Scheduled appointments to browse images available through the Transit Museum archives can be arranged. Allow two weeks to schedule a specific date and time.
You can also find photos on our Flickr page.