Ready for download: a new set of University marks
The updated set of University marks now includes CMYK versions. To decide which color versions and formats to choose for your digital and print projects, consider whether the color will appear on a screen (e.g., Microsoft Word PDF, presentation, digital) or in print (on paper or products).
For digital screens
Colors are based on the RGB model. Basically, this means three colored light beams (red, green, and blue) are mixed to form a color. HEX, which stands for hexadecimal, is essentially the same as RGB but is shown as a six-digit combination of letters and numbers. For example, our official maroon is RGB 122/0/25 (122 parts red of 255 possible, 0 green, 25 blue) and HEX #7a0019.
For screens, use the PNG versions of University marks. They are based on RBG/HEX values. Note: Both PNG and JPG files are based on RGB and could work. We only provide high resolution PNG files, though, because compression is lossless, meaning there is no loss in quality each time a PNG is opened and saved again.
For print
At the University, we have always provided marks based on the Pantone matching system, which takes into account the surface you are printing on. Inks are mixed together differently to match our official colors on, for instance, coated/glossy paper or uncoated/dull paper. In the past, many printing jobs were done using spot colors—meaning a printer or vendor would use a premixed ink on the press to get an exact match. But it’s becoming more and more common to print with CMYK colors, where cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks are laid next to each other in small dots to form colors.
Now, because many colleges and units are already using CMYK versions of our marks and because Adobe recently announced that “Pantone Color books will be phased out of Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop in software updates released after August 16, 2022,” the University has added CMYK marks to the brand site download. Pantone versions are still available, but we suggest downloading the updated set of University marks so you have options.
For print, use the EPS versions of University marks (CMYK, Pantone coated, or Pantone uncoated). EPS files are vector-based and look crisp and clean at any size; they are not made of dots that get jagged on the edges when upsized.
Visit the University Relations Brand Site for all brand standards, assets, and related information. As always, if you have any questions about the brand guidelines illustrated above or any of the guidelines posted on our website, please reach out to University Relations by filling out z.umn.edu/URbrand.