Virginia Tech Identity Standards and Style Guide

Official university color usage

The official Virginia Tech colors are PMS 208 (Chicago maroon) and PMS 158 (burnt orange). The use of color creates a strong visual impact that reinforces the university brand identity.

Four-color process and two-color printing

The preferred version of the university logo includes the maroon shield symbol in PMS 208 or the four-color process equivalent with solid black logotype.

One-color printing

When two-color or four-color process reproduction is not an option, solid black or solid maroon logos are acceptable.

Only in one-color printing may the logo appear in other colors. It is recommended, however, that the logo be reversed in these instances.

To give a two-color effect when printing using black, the shield may be printed in a 60-percent screen of black, while the logotype remains in solid black.

Printing on color backgrounds

When printing the logo on light backgrounds, use the primary logo. When reproducing on a darker background, use a reversed, white version of the logo.

Two reversed versions of the primary university logo are available for use on dark backgrounds and photos.

Other color usage

The logo can be produced in copper, gold, or silver inks or foils. In special cases, the logotype may be printed in maroon and the shield in copper, embossed foil. The logo may also be blind embossed.

Process color build, RGB, and hex equivalents

Substitute the following custom built tints and hex codes to approximate the official PMS colors for printing in four-color, process inks and Web use respectively:

Exact color matching

For exact color matches for publications, specialty items, and other applications, use the color swatches available from publications@vt.edu or 540/231-6867. Note that the Pantone Matching System (PMS) is designed for printing inks. Screen-printing inks and textile, paint, and plastic colors may not accurately match the university logo colors. Obtain color samples for customer approval prior to production of items when using these materials.

Color palette

The traditional university maroon and orange will remain a dominant design element, but these colors are now enhanced by a fresh palette of complementary and accent colors. This expanded color palette may be used to define a hierarchy of information or may be screened back and used for major headlines and background color blocks.

The RGB values for the complementary colors are provided for desktop publishing use. For complementary colors on the Web, please refer to the following section.

Web color palette

Matching the exact colors of the university’s official burnt orange and Chicago maroon in the Web environment is difficult because of variations in platforms and browsers. However, we have established a Web color palette as described below.

Official university colors

All Web colors are given in RGB (255,255,255) and hexadecimal (#ffffff) values. Designers looking for spot colors or CMYK colors for printed publications should refer to the About Our Colors page of this website.

Complementary / secondary colors

To be used as accents or backgrounds.