If you’re part of a University or College club, you will be familiar with the ever-growing trend of wearing unique university ties or scarves for social events, meetings, and get-togethers. The university ties are increasingly popular for student-teams including hockey ties, cricket ties, football ties, rugby ties, swimming, agriculture, and much more.
We can speak with your student union, club, or association directly to get a full understanding of your requirements.
To discuss your ideas why not call us on 01922 612888 for a friendly chat on what we can provide. We can send artwork of your designs and post samples of our previous university ties for inspiration.
Our minimums start from as little as 50, an ideal start for club social events and get-togethers where it’s custom to wear your bespoke university ties.
If you have an existing tie you would like us to replicate then; please send this to us for a quotation. For further information, please see our dedicated club ties pages or see our related products page for further items.
Call us now on 01922 612888
Our eco ties are made from recycled polyester. But our UK mill also weaves silk university ties.
Universities buy silk ties for graduation, alumni dinners and the societies that want something better than freshers week merchandise. Sports clubs, unions and departments all tend to order separately, on different budgets, from the same brand guidelines. We work from your colour references so a society tie and a graduation tie still look like they come from the same university.
Prices exclude VAT. UK delivery from £15.00.
We love seeing photos from our university customers in their Keltic custom ties. Send us your photos to sales@kelticties.co.uk
Who typically wears university ties, and what purpose do they serve?
University ties are often worn by students in formal university societies (like rowing clubs, debating unions, etc.), by officials (such as student union representatives or faculty at ceremonies), and by alumni or members of collegiate universities. They serve as a symbol of belonging to the university or a specific college/club within it. At traditional universities, you’ll see ties at graduation, formal dinners, varsity matches, and alumni reunions. Essentially, a university tie is part of the institution’s heritage and networking culture – wearing it can identify you as a member of that university community in formal settings or inter-university events.
Can Keltic match the very specific colors of our university’s branding?
Yes. Keltic will precisely match the university’s official colors. Universities often have Pantone-specific shades (for example, Oxford blue or Cambridge light blue), and Keltic can dye the yarn to those exact hues. They have experience with many university palettes and can usually get an excellent match on the first try. They’ll likely produce a sample or swatch in advance to ensure the colors align with your expectations. This means your ties will seamlessly complement other branded items like gowns, shields, or merchandise. If your crest has multiple colors (say, a crest with gold, red, and blue), they will incorporate those either in the woven crest or in stripe patterns as needed.
Our university has multiple colleges/faculties; can we have a tie for each but keep a unified theme?
Certainly. Keltic can design a “base” tie theme that’s common to all (for instance, same stripe layout and inclusion of the university arms), then vary a key color or emblem for each college or faculty. For example, each college might have its own color for one of the stripes. This way, every tie is recognizable as a University of X tie, but the individual variation shows the specific college. Faculties could be similar – perhaps the science faculty tie includes a small science symbol or just uses faculty colors. Keltic can handle producing multiple versions in one order, as long as each meets a reasonable minimum. They’re experienced in such multi-design orders (like for house ties, as mentioned). The result is a coherent collection of ties for the university that still honors individual entities within it.
Are these ties suitable for alumni and formal staff as well, or only students?
They are absolutely suitable for alumni and staff too. In fact, a well-designed university tie often becomes an item that graduates purchase and wear to show their affiliation long after they’ve left. University administrators and professors might wear them at conferences or formal events. Keltic’s quality ensures that the tie isn’t seen as just student uniform, but rather as a piece of institutional regalia that anyone in the community can wear. If needed, you can differentiate versions (perhaps a silk variant for faculty/alumni and polyester for students, or a subtle design tweak for alumni edition), but many universities keep one design for all, strengthening the sense of unity among current members and alumni.
How does Keltic ensure that intricate university crests look good on a tie?
When dealing with detailed crests (with fine lines, text, or many elements), Keltic uses a high-resolution weaving technique. They might simplify extremely intricate parts if necessary (for instance, very small text might be rendered as a line if unreadable at tie scale), but they will capture the overall heraldic design. They will show you a digital simulation of how the woven crest will appear. If the crest is too detailed to weave nicely, one alternative they may suggest is a printed tie (digital print can capture every detail exactly) – but most universities prefer woven for the texture and longevity. Keltic’s weavers have done many coat-of-arms and can often achieve surprising detail. They might enlarge the crest slightly or choose a tie color that makes the crest stand out better. Rest assured, the goal is a clear, dignified representation of the university arms.
We want to use the ties for a fundraising initiative – is the quality high enough to justify a premium price to donors/alumni?
Yes. Keltic’s ties are of premium quality, especially if you opt for silk, which many donors and alumni perceive as high-end. They have a nice weight, they drape well, and the colors are rich. When alumni or donors receive or purchase these ties, they’ll immediately feel the quality – something on par with ties from reputable Savile Row brands. Because of that, universities often successfully use them in fundraising; for instance, “Donate £100 to the alumni fund and receive an exclusive university tie” – in such cases, the tie is not just a token, but a genuinely nice item they’d be proud to wear. With the eco-tie angle (if using recycled material), there’s also a great story to tell modern donors about the university’s commitment to sustainability. So yes, whether from a craftsmanship or narrative standpoint, the ties add value to fundraising and commemorative campaigns.
If our university has both ties and scarves (for women) in the design, can Keltic provide a set?
Absolutely. Keltic can produce matching university scarves – in silk for a dress scarf or in wool blend for a winter scarf – using the same colors or patterns. Silk dress scarves (usually squares or oblongs) with the university crest or colors are popular for female staff and alumni. If your question is about providing an option in fundraising kits or at events, offering both ties and scarves covers all bases. Keltic ensures the dye colors match between the tie fabric and scarf fabric, keeping a consistent look. They can also supply bow ties, pocket squares, or cummerbunds if your university events go full formal. Just coordinate with them; they often cater to full sets of formal wear accessories for institutions. This unified approach means someone can wear a tie and someone else a scarf, and they’ll look like part of the same suite.
How do we handle the design approval process if multiple university stakeholders are involved?
Keltic is used to working with committees. They can prepare multiple design prototypes (digital visuals) to present to your stakeholders – say one very traditional design, one modern take, etc. You can gather feedback and then Keltic will refine accordingly. It might take a few rounds, but they’re patient. To expedite, it helps if you identify a primary contact or a small subcommittee to liaise directly with Keltic’s designer. They also can send a physical sample tie once a design is close to final, so you can show stakeholders exactly what the product will look and feel like. This often wins over committees because seeing the real tie (with correct colors and maybe a placeholder crest) helps avoid any imagination gap. Keltic’s experience with universities means they understand the importance of adhering to brand guidelines and traditions, so they’ll ensure the final design meets the approval of even the most detail-conscious stakeholders.
Do your prices include VAT and delivery?
No. All prices shown are per tie and exclude VAT. UK delivery starts from £15.00, and the exact cost is confirmed on your quote.
