Yale Blue
Yale Blue is deeply ingrained in the culture of the University and has served as a key institutional identifier since the late 1800s. It is the most appropriate base or accent color for projects originating from the University.
Alternate blues are also suggested for uses where the official Yale Blue is not suitable for technical or aesthetic reasons.
Designers and printers should refer to the “Yale Blue swatch book” for ink formulation and color matching on press. Copies are available from the Office of the Yale University Printer or the Yale Publishing Services Center.
note: color swatches on this page may appear to vary when viewed on different computer systems, and color printouts from this page will not be accurate. For accurate color matching, please refer to the official “Yale Blue swatch book” and the specifications below.
The function of color
Yale Blue
Using Yale Blue
Variations on Yale Blue
The function of color
Yale embraces design that effectively communicates content. Designers are encouraged to establish a base color (generally black or Yale Blue) and to introduce additional color purposefully to differentiate text or image content — not merely to decorate it. Although advances in print technology allow more colors for the same price, working within a limited palette of one or two colors better reflects Yale’s clarity of purpose.
Yale Blue
Official Yale Blue can be specified for use as a spot color or as a process color by following the specifications outlined below.
When Yale Blue is printed as a solid color, an inline application of varnish or aqueous coating must be applied to prevent “bronzing.” See additional technical guidelines in the “Yale Blue swatch book,” available from the Office of the Yale University Printer or the Yale Publishing Services Center.
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Official Yale Blue, spot color Ask your designer and printer to match the official swatch book color, or specify Superior Printing Ink Co.’s Yale Blue ink formula, hb 6254 (for coated paper) or hb 6255 (for uncoated paper). Specify an inline aqueous coating or varnish for all jobs with areas of solid color to prevent bronzing, reduce rub-off, and ensure an acceptable color match. |
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Official Yale Blue, process color For coated paper: cmyk 100, 75, 8, 40 For uncoated paper: cmyk 100, 70, 5, 35 Because of differences in paper, ink, and equipment, these process build percentages are provided as general guidelines only. Ask your designer and printer to match the official swatch book color. Specify an inline aqueous coating or varnish for all jobs with areas of solid color to prevent bronzing, reduce rub-off, and ensure an acceptable color match. |
Using Yale Blue
Yale Blue should be used as a spot color for official stationery, banners and signage, brochures, and single-color publications. Yale Blue can be used by itself or in combination with other colors. Yale Gray is a recommended companion for Yale Blue in official Yale publications. Departments may choose other colors to compliment Yale Blue according to the content at hand and the objectives for the project.
Variations on Yale Blue
Variations on Yale Blue, of both higher and lower intensity, should be used in situations where the official Yale Blue would be formally ineffective. For example, when pairing Yale Blue with black in a print publication, a higher intensity, brighter alternative (pms 660) will contrast more distinctly with black. A lower intensity blue (pms 654) may work better when paired with brighter accent colors.
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Higher intensity (brighter) than Yale Blue pms 660 coated and uncoated cmyk 90, 57, 0, 0 |
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Lower intensity (grayer) than Yale Blue pms 654 coated and uncoated cmyk 100, 67, 0, 37 |
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A secondary color for use with Yale Blue pms Warm Gray 7 coated and uncoated cmyk 0, 8, 14, 38 |
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“Blue Site” Blue The dominant color on the core Yale Web site; encouraged for use on other Yale-affiliated pages rgb 14, 76, 146 hex 0F 4D 92 |
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