Yale Colors

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. Alternative blues are also suggested for uses for which 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 University Printer or Yale Printing & Publishing Services.

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 University Printer or Yale Printing & Publishing Services.

Yale blue spot and process color swatches

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.

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.

If the specified Superior Printing Ink Co. formula cannot be obtained for conventional printing, use PMS 648C for printing on coated paper and for all inset and silkscreen projects. For conventional printing on uncoated paper, use PMS 295U. Consult with vendor to determine the choice of ink for coated or uncoated use before providing a digital file.

For projects requiring a paint color match for Yale Blue, use Benjamin Moore 2064-10 Bold Blue or ask your vendor to match the official swatch book color.

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 complement Yale Blue according to the content at hand and the objectives for the project.

Yale Blue should be utilized for Yale websites as either a primary or secondary color.

History of Yale Blue

Yale Blue has historic roots in the college rowing competitions. As early as 1843, the winning boat in crew intramurals displayed a blue pennant with “Yale” lettered in white. In 1894 the Yale Corporation voted to adopt blue as the university’s official color, choosing a dark shade used as the official color of the University of Oxford. In practice, some latitude is a must since the realities of print and web production preclude absolute color consistency.

Additional standard colors

Variations on Yale Blue, of both higher and lower intensity, should be used in situations in which 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. A Yale Gray is specified for use with black-and-white printing or for when a more neutral element is needed in a design.

Higher intensity (brighter) than Yale Blue
PMS 660 coated and uncoated
CMYK 90, 57, 0, 0

Lower intensity (grayer) than Yale Blue
PMS 654 coated and uncoated
CMYK 100, 67, 0, 37

A secondary color for use with Yale Blue
PMS Warm Gray 7 coated and uncoated
CMYK 42, 40, 44, 4

Recommended colors for websites

Additional accent colors are available for use on Yale websites.

Visit our website guidelines page