Guess what?
Bellingcat is finally launching an official merch line! That’s right: after years of fantasizing and wishing, we’re finally ready to get our name and logo on cool merch that you’ll be able to show off. We’re working with a high quality, sustainable merchandising company to make all kinds of cool swag: coffee cups, caps, t-shirts, hoodies, and more!
We want your help designing the merch!
It’s not a Bellingcat project if it doesn’t involve you, our community, and our official merch launch is no different. As part of this exciting launch, we’re asking you to submit design ideas for the merch.
Close your eyes and think “Bellingcat”. What do you see? Draw it, write it, paint it—get original and creative, and send it to us! We’re only interested in what you can come up with, so leave the AI at home.
Our staff will review your submissions and pick the ones that we like the most. We’ll score them on originality, creativity, and how well they reflect the Bellingcat essence. If we pick yours, we’ll let you know and give you free merch with your design on it!
How to submit your design ideas
To submit your design idea, simply upload an image via this Google Form. Once our staff reviews your submissions, we’ll conduct public voting to select the winning submissions. Our staff will let you know by November 6, 2026 if yours was one of the winning designs. We’ll then work with you to put the merch with your amazing design on it in your hands!
For more information on the terms and conditions of the contest, make sure to read this page. Please keep all submissions appropriate for a general audience. Content containing profane, lewd, explicit, discriminatory, or harassing material will be rejected immediately without review.
The last day to make your submission is October 2, 2026.
Please see our FAQ below:
Who owns the design?
If your submission is selected as a winning entry, you agree to transfer all commercial, intellectual property, and copyrights worldwide to Bellingcat Stichting. To legally formalize this transfer, winning entrants will be required to sign a separate deed of transfer under Dutch law. However, you shall retain your moral rights under Dutch law, including the right to be acknowledged as the author of the work. If your design is not selected, you retain full ownership of your artwork. By submitting an entry, all participants grant Stichting Bellingcat a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display and share the artwork solely for the purpose of promoting the competition, conducting public voting, and reviewing entries.
Are you accepting AI-generated submissions?
No thank you, we are looking for human-designed creations!
Will I get paid for my submission?
If your design is chosen and you have provided your contact details, you’ll receive an exclusive voucher code which will cover the purchase of a product of your choice that features your design.
Will Bellingcat make money on my design?
Any profit from merchandise sales will go towards the Bellingcat Stichting Foundation, which will help us run our operations and keep our investigations independent.
How long will winning designs be in circulation?
This design submission is for a limited time capsule event. The designs chosen will only be available until the limited stock lasts.
What do you mean by a sustainable print on demand company?
The platform we’re using to create the merchandise is Fourthwall, which offers many sustainable print on demand providers.
Who will select the winning designs?
Bellingcat staff members will shortlist the initial submissions and then the public will be given the opportunity to vote on the final selection of designs and products which will be anonymised. The ones that receive the most votes will be selected for production.
What level of effort do I need to put in here? I’m not a professional artist!
Don’t doubt yourself! We want to see where your creativity takes you. Submissions are evaluated as creative concepts; final execution, text layout, and color formatting will be finalized by our production team. Bellingcat Stichting and its printing partners reserve the right to modify or adjust the design strictly to ensure compatibility with apparel printing processes, manufacturing standards, and brand guidelines. However, we will respect your moral rights as the author and will not make substantial alterations that harm the integrity of the original work without your prior consultation and consent.
What makes a winning design?
We will use three categories to score designs out of five. The three categories designs will be marked on are: originality, creativity, and speaks to our collective mission.
