Guidelines for Color Usage

It’s not just a red, it's St. Cloud State University Spirit Red. And it symbolizes passion for education, a bold perspective of the future and a promise to our students and faculty to help them find success. Using these approved colors in all communications will strengthen St. Cloud State’s identity, create impact and help differentiate information.

Use our guidelines when using logos and logotypes on printed materials and merchandise to determine which logo applications to use on various light, dark, or patterned backgrounds.

Note: The 'St. C' always carries a white outline to define it when placed on a medium/dark background. When used on white, the outline disappears into the background.

Quick Guide: Color Codes

Spirit Red

Pantone 200
CMYK: 0, 100, 63, 12
RGB: 211, 18, 69
HTML: CD1041

Granite Black

CMYK: 0, 0, 0, 100
RGB: 0, 0, 0
HTML: 000000

Blizzard White

CMYK: 0, 0, 0, 0
RGB: 255, 255, 255
HTML: FFFFFF

Silver Gray

Pantone 429
CMYK: 6, 0, 0, 34
RGB: 167, 177, 183
HTML: A6B0B7
Huskies logo only

Bold Orange

Pantone: 165
CMYK: 0, 60, 100, 0
RGB: 245, 130, 32
HTML: f58220
Secondary color palette

Glacier Blue

CMYK: 24, 0, 0, 48
RGB: 113, 140, 154
HTML: 718c9a
Secondary color palette

'St. C' Primary Logo Use

• Light backgrounds: Any of the color options shown are acceptable. Remember, when using full color on white, the outline around the "St. C" disappears into the background.
• Dark backgrounds: Solid or ghosted white are acceptable. Do not use red or ghosted red. The “St. C” logo must include a white border around the perimeter when used on any colored background to clearly define the black edge of the symbol. The white border is built into the design of the “St. C” logo.
• Medium backgrounds: Typically, use the same color treatment as for dark backgrounds. If legibility suffers, consider other options and consult University Communications.
• Pattern/photo backgrounds: If placing the “St. C” logo on a photo or patterned background, ensure there is enough contrast to keep the symbol legible. Ghosting white on photo backgrounds is a preferred treatment.
• Ghosted “St. C:” The ghosted “St. C” can be used as a graphic or background element. Always use the black only “St. C” version and multiply or screen to achieve the desired effect. Never use the white only version to screen back. Clear space is not required. Do not rotate the “St. C” in any application. The full color “St. C” should never be ghosted or cropped.
• Metallic inks: When printing the “St. C” in metallic ink, use the black only version.

Approved Solid Background Uses:

Illustrated Patterned Background Use:

Huskies Secondary Logo Usage

• Light backgrounds: Any of the color options shown are acceptable. When using full color on white, the outline around the Huskies logo disappears into the background.
• Dark backgrounds: Solid three-color or one-color white are acceptable. Do not use red or ghosted. The Huskies logo must include the white border around the perimeter when used on any medium to dark background color to clearly define the black edge of the logo.
• Medium backgrounds: Typically, use the same color treatment as for dark backgrounds. If legibility suffers, consider other options and consult University Communications.
• Pattern/photo backgrounds: If placing the Huskies logo on a photo or patterned background, ensure there is enough contrast to keep the symbol legible.
• Ghosted: The ghosted Huskies logo can be used as a graphic or background element. Always use the black only Huskies logo version and multiply only to achieve the desired effect. Never use the white only version to screen back. Clear space is not required. Do not rotate the Huskies logo in any application. The full color Huskies should never be ghosted or cropped.
• Metallic inks: When printing the Huskies logo in metallic ink, please use the black only version.

Approved Solid Background Uses:

Illustrated Patterned Background Use: