Summary

• The official University colors are Cutler Green and Cupola White.
• If these colors are not available, use black and white.
• Secondary and accent color palettes are available for design flexibility only and should not be substituted for Cutler Green or Cupola White.
• Color palettes for Adobe products may be downloaded here: Adobe Color Profiles (ZIP)
• Use the “More Colors” option in Microsoft Office  ^®  applications to set the correct values for official University colors.
• Not sure about using color? Ask UCM for help!

Signature Colors

The signature brand colors for the University are Cutler Green and Cupola White. Green is the primary color and should be used predominantly in all University communications. Cutler Green and Putnam Gray are used for the OHIO signature logo.

If you cannot use Cutler Green or Putnam Gray, both black and white may be used as a substitute.

Secondary and Accent Colors

OHIO’s color palettes are segmented into three hierarchies: primary, secondary, and two accent palettes¬—Vibrant and Classic. Each color is named to honor an aspect of OHIO’s history and character. OHIO’s primary colors, Cutler Green and Cupola White, are a fundamental element of the University’s brand. Our secondary and accent palettes are designed to support OHIO’s primary colors and allow them to stand out, while providing flexibility in design layouts.

• Supporting colors should be used as accents, as improper use of them dilutes the OHIO brand.
   
• Color ratios on individual pages, spreads, and layouts can vary, but OHIO’s Cutler Green should be prominent in every communication.
   
• Find a strong combination of three or four colors and use that color scheme consistently and creatively throughout print communications.
   
• Print communications may use the primary and secondary palette along with colors from the Vibrant palette AND the Classic palette.
   
• Be mindful of color combinations that represent other universities.
   
• For print: Tints of each color may only be used as accents, for example, in backgrounds, infographics, charts, graphs, and diagrams.
   
• For websites: Tints may not be used for functional elements of a website, such as buttons, text, or backgrounds. Tints of each color may only be used as accents, for example, in infographics, charts, graphs, and diagrams.
   
• Under no circumstances should any of the secondary or accent palette colors become the predominant, signifying color for a school, center, institute , or department.
   
• CMYK color values are derived from Pantone’s online conversion tool.

Digital Color Use

Our audiences usually first meet OHIO digitally before they ever experience it in person. To translate our brand thoughtfully for our digital communications, we’ve created Web-specific values for our color palettes. They have been optimized for digital use and for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)—an equal opportunity law for people with disabilities—so that the colors are visually effective and functionally useful.

• The color values should not be altered in any way.
• Websites may use the primary and secondary palette along with EITHER the Vibrant palette OR the Classic palette. Colors from both accent palettes may never be used together when designing for the Web.
• When designing for digital platforms, foreground and background colors must be checked for contrast at https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/ and pass at the WCAG AA level to ensure ADA compliance.

Using Color at University Events

In addition to using OHIO’s primary colors consistently in printed and digital materials, they should also be used intentionally at OHIO events in the decor, in the signage, related collateral, and in the apparel worn by staff and volunteers. This usage helps reinforce the brand, promotes school spirit, and lends itself to photography that will look cohesive in future promotional materials.

Specifying Official Colors in Microsoft Office ^® Applications

To reproduce official University colors in Microsoft Office applications, follow nearly the same procedure to set the color as you normally would. Instead of choosing one of the pre-set colors, though, do this:

Word for Windows

1. Click on “More Colors” at the bottom of the dialog box.
2. At the top of the next dialog box, click on the Custom tab.
3. Enter the appropriate RGB values from the color chart.
4. Click “OK.”

Word for Windows does not support CMYK, so do not use it to prepare documents that will be printed using a four-color process, such as commercial printing.

Word for Mac 2011

1. Click on “More Colors” at the bottom of the dialog box.
2. At the top of the next dialog box, click on the sliders icon.
3. From the drop-down menu, choose “RGB Sliders” (for documents or presentations that will be shown only electronically) or “CMYK Sliders” (for documents that will be printed using a four-color process, such as commercial printing).
4. Type in the appropriate values from the above chart for the color you want to reproduce.
5. Click “OK.”

Promotional Items

When choosing promotional items, be sure they adhere to University color and type guidelines. If your promotional item is in a color, choose the color closest to an official University color. Ask the company representative for samples and bring them to UCM in Scott Quad; we’ll be happy to help you check them against the real thing. Use official University fonts for any text on promotional items.

If your item is white or clear, use the Pantone color numbers specified in the Color section for any color printing.

Customized promotional items may be obtained through  Printing Services and Consolidus, Ohio University’s preferred vendor for sourcing promotional items. Browse items in BobcatBuy here. Contact Printing Services at 593.1930 or  printing@ohio.edu.