Our brand uses an extensive color palette that reflects our personality and includes appropriate options for all of your marketing and communications efforts. By using color wisely, you can help create a strong visual identity for the IU brand.
Download the CYMK and RGB print color paletteThis page focuses on print colors. To learn more about our web colors, visit the Web Style Guide.
Access web colorsCMYK, PMS, and hex color values are meant for different mediums—and can result in inaccurate colors if you use the wrong one. To ensure your color values display accurately and are consistent with the IU brand, choose the appropriate value for the intended use and printing method of your marketing piece.
For nearly all print work, use the CMYK values listed below for the most accurate brand color reproduction.
Also used for print work, the PMS value is based on the Pantone Matching System®. It should only be used when printing spot colors (limited use).
Hex values should only be used when reproducing brand colors on the web, in a digital, RGB environment. For more information about IU’s brand on the web, visit the Web Style Guide.
For marketing purposes, our primary colors are crimson and white—not cream. This is because cream—traditionally one of our primary colors—doesn’t reproduce well in most design executions. There is an additional solution for cream in the digital space. For more information, visit the IU Web Style Guide.
Remember, for all intents and purposes, cream is white.
Cream
C0 M0 Y0 K0
R237 G235 B235
Crimson
PMS 201
C0 M100 Y65 K34
R169 G5 B51
Light Crimson
PMS 199
C0 M100 Y65 K0
R237 G23 B76
Dark Crimson
PMS 188
C12 M95 Y59 K54
R119 G13 B41
The secondary color palette is designed to provide creative flexibility. These colors are complimentary to the primary color and were chosen so that they do not compete with crimson. However, the colors depicted here are for print use only. For web colors, visit the IU Web Style Guide.
Each of the eight secondary brand colors have corresponding tints and shades to provide a range of color options.
Dark Gold
PMS 7569
C0 M45 Y100 K6
R234 G148 B26
Gold
PMS 142
C0 M24 Y78 K0
R254 G197 B83
Dark Mint
PMS 626
C80 M18 Y56 K54
R0 G89 B76
Mint
PMS 3288
C99 M3 Y58 K12
R0 G148 B128
Dark Midnight
PMS 7694
C100 M57 Y9 K52
R0 G57 B99
Midnight
PMS 7691
C100 M43 Y0 K30
R0 G91 B148
Dark Majestic
PMS 5115
C51 M91 Y21 K70
R61 G2 B55
Majestic
PMS 5195
C44 M74 Y21 K50
R92 G51 B84
Dark Limestone
PMS Warm Gray 9
C15 M20 Y22 K45
R134 G125 B120
Limestone
PMS Warm Gray 5
C10 M12 Y13 K28
R173 G167 B164
Black
PMS Black
C0 M0 Y0 K100
R0 G0 B0
Mahogany
PMS 7533
C53 M63 Y76 K56
R73 G56 B40
It is important to maintain a sense of hierarchy, balance, and harmony when using the IU brand color palette. Our color system is flexible, but you should exercise restraint.
Create unique color palettes by combining one secondary brand color (and its related tints) with IU Crimson. Do not use more than one secondary color on a piece unless there is clear and simple logic behind doing so.
For formal materials, such as university ceremonies, stick to neutrals and tints of crimson to give your piece a more traditional feel.
For more informal pieces, try limiting yourself to a few tints of a secondary brand color to allow the crimson within your piece to really stand out.
Customize your own color palette by combining the primary brand colors, crimson and white, with a secondary brand color and its range of tints and shades.
Do not use color palettes where secondary colors overpower the primary brand colors.
Do not use multiple secondary colors within a piece unless absolutely necessary.
Do not use secondary brand colors in formal pieces. Crimson should be the dominant color.
As you begin to choose colors, pause to identify the tone of the piece you are creating.
When working on formal communications, such as materials for academic ceremonies, official documents, and faculty-oriented events, you must choose from the following colors within the traditional palette: Crimson, Limestone, Black, and White.
If you are developing materials for student recruitment, campus events, and other, more casual marketing efforts, you are free to make use of the full color palette of secondary colors—provided you satisfy the other guidelines outlined here.
