--- title: "Trademark Specimens: What the USPTO Accepts | GTC" description: "USPTO trademark specimen guide: acceptable specimens for goods and services, common rejections, digital specimens, mockup rules, and how to avoid refusal." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Global Trademark Company LLC", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com", "logo": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/gtc-logo.svg", "description": "Multi-practice IP and business legal firm. Trademarks in 100+ jurisdictions, patents in 10 + PCT, copyrights under Berne. Operating since 2016.", "foundingDate": "2016", "sameAs": [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/globaltrademarkcompany/", "https://www.trustpilot.com/review/globaltrademark.co" ], "contactPoint": [ { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+1-510-973-4964", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "US", "availableLanguage": [ "English" ] }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+44-7453-347853", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "GB", "availableLanguage": [ "English" ] }, { "@type": "ContactPoint", "telephone": "+91-6397-329955", "contactType": "customer service", "areaServed": "IN", "availableLanguage": [ "English", "Hindi" ] } ], "address": [ { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "712 H Street NE, Suite 2094", "addressLocality": "Washington", "addressRegion": "DC", "postalCode": "20002", "addressCountry": "US" }, { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "YSC Complex, 4th floor, A-400, 12 Ajit Singh House, Sri Aurobindo Marg", "addressLocality": "New Delhi", "addressRegion": "Delhi", "postalCode": "110016", "addressCountry": "IN" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BlogPosting", "headline": "Trademark Specimens: What the USPTO Accepts and Rejects", "description": "USPTO trademark specimen guide: acceptable specimens for goods and services, common rejections, digital specimens, mockup rules, and how to avoid refusal.", "image": "https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/application-files/blog/trademark-specimens-guide.jpg?t=1780327118359", "datePublished": "2025-12-07T10:00:00+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-06-21T15:54:17.828619+00:00", "inLanguage": "en-US", "isAccessibleForFree": true, "articleSection": "guides", "keywords": "trademark specimen, USPTO specimen requirements, specimen of use, trademark specimen examples, specimen refusal, acceptable specimens", "wordCount": 1175, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rajatpreet Singh Modi", "jobTitle": "Founder & Attorney", "image": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/team/rajat.jpg", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/team/rajatpreet-singh-modi" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Global Trademark Company LLC", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/gtc-logo.svg" } }, "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/blog/trademark-specimens-guide" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/blog" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Trademark Specimens: What the USPTO Accepts and Rejects", "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/blog/trademark-specimens-guide" } ] } ] --- [](/) - Trademarks - Patents - Copyrights - Data Privacy - Business Legal - [Pricing](/pricing) - Resources Sign inEN · USD Sign in 1. 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Trademark Specimens: What the USPTO Accepts and Rejects [Back to Blog](/blog) guides # Trademark Specimens: What the USPTO Accepts and Rejects ![Rajatpreet Singh Modi](/team/rajat.jpg)Rajatpreet Singh Modi · Founder & International Trademark Attorney December 7, 2025 10 min read Share Last updated: June 21, 2026 ![Trademark Specimens: What the USPTO Accepts and Rejects](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/trademark-specimens-guide.jpg?width=1200&quality=80&resize=contain&t=1780327118359) In this article [Trademark Specimens: What the USPTO Accepts and Rejects](#trademark-specimens-what-the-uspto-accepts-and-rejects)[What Is a Trademark Specimen?](#what-is-a-trademark-specimen)[Specimens for Goods (Trademarks)](#specimens-for-goods-trademarks)[Specimens for Services (Service Marks)](#specimens-for-services-service-marks)[Digital and Website Specimens](#digital-and-website-specimens)[Common Specimen Rejections](#common-specimen-rejections)[Specimens for Renewals and Maintenance](#specimens-for-renewals-and-maintenance)[How to Prepare Strong Specimens: 6-Point Checklist](#how-to-prepare-strong-specimens-6-point-checklist)[Specimen Tips for Specific Industries](#specimen-tips-for-specific-industries) ## Trademark Specimens: What the USPTO Accepts and Rejects One of the most common reasons trademark applications face Office Actions is specimen deficiency. A trademark specimen is evidence showing how you actually use your mark in commerce — and the USPTO has strict rules about what qualifies. This guide covers exactly what you need to know. ## What Is a Trademark Specimen? A specimen is a real-world example of how your trademark is used in connection with the goods or services listed in your application. It proves that your mark isn't just a concept — it's actively functioning as a source identifier in the marketplace. **Key distinction:** A specimen is different from a trademark drawing. The drawing shows the mark itself; the specimen shows the mark **in use** on actual products or in marketing materials. You must submit a specimen: - With your initial application (if filing under Section 1(a) — use in commerce) - With your Statement of Use (if filing under Section 1(b) — intent to use) - With every [Section 8 maintenance declaration](/blog/trademark-renewal-deadlines-costs) ## Specimens for Goods (Trademarks) For goods (physical or digital products), the specimen must show the mark applied directly to the goods or their packaging, or displayed on a webpage where the goods are sold. ### Acceptable Specimens for Goods Specimen Type Example Product labels Mark printed directly on the product Packaging Mark on boxes, bags, containers, wrappers Tags or hangtags Attached to clothing or other products Product displays In-store displays showing mark with goods Website product pages Mark shown near product with ordering information (price, "add to cart") Product inserts Cards or documents packaged with the product ### Rejected Specimens for Goods Specimen Type Why Rejected Business cards Not used in selling goods Invoices Transactional document, not advertising Letterhead Internal document Mockups or digitally created images Not actual use in commerce Advertising alone Must show mark with the actual goods, not just the brand name in an ad Domain names alone URL by itself doesn't show goods \*Citation: TMEP § 904 — Specimens for Trademarks (Goods)\* ## Specimens for Services (Service Marks) For services, the specimen must show the mark used in the **sale or advertising** of the services. ### Acceptable Specimens for Services Specimen Type Example Website pages Mark shown with description of services offered Brochures or flyers Advertising the services with the mark Print or digital advertisements Showing the mark in connection with services Business signage Physical signs at service locations Social media pages Business profile pages showing services Letterhead (with service description) If the document also describes the services offered ### Rejected Specimens for Services Specimen Type Why Rejected Invoices (without service description) Doesn't advertise services to potential customers Internal documents Not shown to customers News articles mentioning the business Not under applicant's control Domain name registration records Administrative, not advertising \*Citation: TMEP § 1301.04 — Specimens for Service Marks\* ## Digital and Website Specimens Website screenshots are the most common specimen type today. To be acceptable, they must meet specific requirements: ### Requirements for Website Specimens 1. **The mark must be clearly visible** on the webpage 2. **The URL must be shown** — either in the browser address bar or printed on the page 3. **For goods:** The page must include ordering information — a price, "add to cart" button, or other purchasing functionality 4. **For services:** The page must describe the services offered under the mark 5. **The date must be evident** — include the date of the screenshot (browser date, print date, or Wayback Machine date) > **Pro Tip:** When capturing website specimens, use your browser's print-to-PDF function with the URL header enabled. This automatically includes the URL and date on every page. Alternatively, take a screenshot that includes the browser address bar. ## Common Specimen Rejections ### Ornamental Use If your mark appears on a product purely as decoration — like a large graphic on the front of a t-shirt — the USPTO will refuse it as "ornamental." The mark must function as a **source identifier**, not decoration. **Exception:** Small marks on breast pockets of shirts, collar tags, or hangtags are typically acceptable because consumers recognize these placements as indicating source. ### Mark Not on Specimen Sometimes applicants submit a specimen that doesn't actually show the applied-for mark. Double-check that the mark appearing on your specimen exactly matches (or is a close variant of) your trademark drawing. ### Specimen Shows a Different Mark If you applied for "MOUNTAIN FRESH" but your specimen shows "MOUNTAIN FRESH BREWING COMPANY," the USPTO may refuse it because the marks don't match. Minor variations are acceptable, but significant additions or differences are not. ### Digitally Created or Mockup Specimens Specimens must show **actual use in commerce**. Photoshopped mockups, 3D renderings, or digitally altered images are not acceptable. The goods must actually exist in the marketplace. ## Specimens for Renewals and Maintenance The same specimen rules apply when filing [Section 8 declarations](/blog/section-8-15-trademark-declarations) and [renewals](/blog/trademark-renewal-deadlines-costs). You must show **current** use of the mark — a specimen from your original application won't work for a maintenance filing years later. For more on maintenance deadlines and requirements, see our guide on [trademark renewal deadlines and costs](/blog/trademark-renewal-deadlines-costs). ## How to Prepare Strong Specimens: 6-Point Checklist 1. **Mark is clearly visible** — Not obscured, cropped, or too small to read 2. **Mark matches the drawing** — Same mark (or acceptable variant) as filed 3. **Shows actual use** — Real products or real advertising, not mockups 4. **URL and date included** — For website specimens 5. **Ordering information present** — For goods: price, "buy now," or similar 6. **Services described** — For services: what you actually do, not just the brand name > **Pro Tip:** Submit more than one specimen when possible. If the examining attorney rejects one, having a backup already on file can avoid a second Office Action. ## Specimen Tips for Specific Industries Industry Best Specimen Type E-commerce Product page screenshot with mark, price, and "add to cart" Software/SaaS Website showing mark with software description and pricing Restaurants Menu or signage showing mark with food/drink services Consulting Website showing mark with description of consulting services Retail Store signage, website product pages, or shopping bags with mark Clothing Hangtags, collar labels, or packaging — avoid front-of-shirt displays \*Ready to file your trademark with confidence? Our team reviews every specimen before submission to prevent refusals. [Start Your Filing →](/services/us-trademark)\* ### Need help with your trademark? Get a free trademark check from our specialists, no obligation. Start Your Filing Or [learn more about this service →](/services/us-trademark) ### Ready to get started? Our trademark specialists can help you with every step of the process. [Start Your Filing](/services/us-trademark) ![Rajatpreet Singh Modi](/team/rajat.jpg) Rajatpreet Singh Modi Founder & International Trademark Attorney specimens USPTO trademark-filing how-to ## Related Articles [ ![Trademark Searches: Beyond Google – Comprehensive Tools and Best Practices](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/pipeline/9358f640-cc7c-49d6-9d70-aafc78f3a270.jpg?width=400&quality=75&resize=contain&t=1780479747214) ### Trademark Searches: Beyond Google – Comprehensive Tools and Best Practices Jun 6, 2026 ](/blog/trademark-searches-beyond-google-comprehensive-tools-and-best-practices)[ ![EU PCT National Phase: 2026 UPC Impact](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/eu-pct-national-phase-upc-2026.jpg?width=400&quality=75&resize=contain&t=1780326641627) ### EU PCT National Phase: 2026 UPC Impact Apr 24, 2026 ](/blog/eu-pct-national-phase-upc-2026)[ ![Japan Amazon Brand Registry: Trademark Requirements 2026](https://zbdppqwokjgncujmplfm.supabase.co/storage/v1/render/image/public/application-files/blog/japan-amazon-brand-registry-trademark-2026.jpg?width=400&quality=75&resize=contain&t=1780411398351) ### Japan Amazon Brand Registry: Trademark Requirements 2026 Apr 20, 2026 ](/blog/japan-amazon-brand-registry-trademark-2026) ## Site footer ![Global Trademark Company](/assets/gtc-logo-white-DQ8YcvVd.svg) Secure Every Step of Your Growth Trusted by brands since 2016 [hello@globaltrademarkcompany.com ](mailto:hello@globaltrademarkcompany.com) [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/globaltrademarkcompany/) [+1 510-973-4964 (US & International) ](tel:+15109734964)[+44 7453 347853 (UK & EU) ](tel:+447453347853)[+91 6397-329955 (India) ](tel:+916397329955) ### Company - 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