Print Style Guide
The University of Michigan Wordmark
The University of Michigan Seal
The U-M Health System Wordmark
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN WORDMARK
The U-M wordmark is the mark used on stationery, business cards, and letterhead. You may also use the wordmark on other print materials such as brochures, newsletters, bulletins, and ads.
The wordmark was designed for flexibility, and can be used with names of U-M
schools, college, and units with no loss of brand identity. See, for instance,
the example that incorporates “Dearborn.”
You can also use the wordmark with another logo:
COLORS
The University of Michigan’s colors are, famously, maize and blue. However, within those constraints, there is a wide range of color variation designers can use.
The original U-M colors were described in 1867 as “Azure Blue” and “Maize,” two standard artist’s oil colors of the day. The blue was described as being “the blue of a summer sky” and the maize as “the yellow of ripe corn.” These colors are represented today on the University flag and the ribbons affixed to diplomas; these colors are slightly different from one another.
The University wordmark uses PMS 294 (blue) and PMS 7406 (yellow) for uncoated stock. CMYK equivalents are C100 M50 Y0 K10 (blue) and C0 M18 Y75 K0 (yellow).
The coated blue should be specified differently for the printer. A good
suggestion is PMS 541 (blue). CMYK equivalent is C100 M58 Y9 K42 (blue). In general, the block M is in yellow and the logotype
component is in blue, but this is not a hard and fast rule.
Read more about the U-M colors in the Michigan Today article » »
Other Color Combinations
Designers at the University of Michigan have great leeway in the color choices
they may use for marketing communications pieces and websites. If you decide
not to use the standard stationery colors, above, you may select other pairs of
blue and yellow (or gold) shades. Color pairs should be from the same
color palette, with similar brightness and saturation, to achieve best
results. If you have any questions or need suggestions about colors,
please contact Michigan Marketing & Design at 764-9270 or send an email to
umlogos@umich.edu and we'll assist you.
 PMS 294 |
 PMS 7406 |
SPECIAL UNIT COLORS
Some colleges and units have their own specific colors.
Intercollegiate Athletics uses:
 PMS 282 |
 PMS 116 (coated) PMS 109 (uncoated) |
The Ross School of Business uses:
 Blue: PMS 654 coated PMS 655 uncoated C/100 M/69 Y/0 K/38 |
 Gold: PMS 131 coated PMS 124 uncoated C/0 M/27 Y/100 K/9 |
The College of Engineering uses:
 Blue: PMS 288 coated and uncoated C/100 M/60 Y/0 K/10 coated and uncoated process color R/0 G/0 B/153 #000099 |
 Gold: PMS 123 coated PMS 109 uncoated C/0 M/15 Y/100 K/0 coated process color C/0 M/5 Y/100 K/0 uncoated process color R/255 G/204 B/0 #ffcc00 |
WORDMARK GUIDELINES
Do not:
- alter the mark in any way.
- redesign, redraw, animate, modify, distort, or alter the proportions of the mark.
- surround the mark with—or place in the foreground over—a pattern or design.
- rotate or render the mark three-dimensionally.
- add words, images, or any other new elements to the mark.
- replace the approved typeface with any other typeface.
- enclose the mark in a shape or combine it with other design elements or effects.
- modify the size or position relationship of any element within the mark.
- add additional copy to the mark.
You may also use the two component parts of the wordmark separately. PLEASE NOTE: There are restrictions about how to use each component part properly. If you have any questions about standards that aren’t answered here, please email umlogos@umich.edu.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SEAL
The University of Michigan Seal is generally reserved for presidential and regental uses. University departments who would like to use the Seal should email umlogos@umich.edu to request graphics files.
Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) may, in their capacity as employees of the University of Michigan, use their departmental letterhead for letters of recommendation for their students, even if the departmental letterhead includes the Seal.
Student groups are not eligible to use the Seal without prior approval from and registration with MSA. The Student Organization Recognition office (SOAR) has more information; please see the SOAR website for details.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN - HEALTH SYSTEM
U-M HEALTH SYSTEM COLORS
Color is an important element of the consistency and recognizability of the Health System signatures. Designed for one or two colors, the signatures may appear in Maize or Blue or a combination of these two colors. They may also be reproduced in black, or in white when reversing out of a background of sufficient contrast.
Blue: PMS 2768 coated PMS 2757 uncoated C100, M75, Y15, K30 |
Gold: PMS 143 coated PMS 129 uncoated C0, M35, Y100, K0 |
For printed color reproduction on coated (slick-surface) paper, please use the following PMS colors (or their CMYK equivalents):
- Maize: PMS 143 ( 0c 35m 100y 0k )
- Blue: PMS 2768 (100c 75m 15y 30k )
For printed color reproduction on uncoated paper, please use the following PMS colors (or their CMYK equivalents):
- Maize: PMS 129 ( 0c 35m 100y 0k)
- Blue: PMS 2757 (100c 75m 15y 30k)
Black and White
In black-and-white media such as newspapers, the symbol may be reproduced in black. Do not reproduce any part of the symbol in grayscale.
Interactive Media and Web
For use in interactive media or on the World Wide Web, please use the following hexadecimal colors (or their RGB equivalents):
- Maize: FFCC33 ( 255r 204g 51b )
- Blue: 000066 ( 0r 0g 51b )
RGB Color Blue Red 0 Green 0 Blue 51 Maize Red 255 Green 204 Blue 51 Web Color Blue 000066 Maize FFCC33
Incorrect Usage
It is vital to maintain consistent application of the Health System logos, as unauthorized variations are confusing and dilute its effectiveness.The signature should be displayed with a generous amount of space around it. At a minimum, that space should be equal to, or greater than, half the width of the mark.
The signatures should not be positioned close to distracting elements or upon background patterns.
None of the signatures can be cut apart, positioned on an angle, or altered in any way that will disturb the integrity of the signature as designed.
WORDMARK GUIDELINES
Do not:
- alter the mark in any way.
- redesign, redraw, animate, modify, distort, or alter the proportions of the mark.
- surround the mark with—or place in the foreground over—a pattern or design.
- rotate or render the mark three-dimensionally.
- add words, images, or any other new elements to the mark.
- replace the approved typeface with any other typeface.
- enclose the mark in a shape or combine it with other design elements or effects.
- modify the size or position relationship of any element within the mark.
- add additional copy to the mark.
If you have any questions about appropriate usage, please email the umlogos group and we will be glad to assist you.
ORDERING WORDMARK STATIONERY PRODUCTS
U-M Printing Services has an easey-to-use online system for ordering letterhead, envelopes, business cards, and mailing labels. Just input information and the online ordering system will automatically generate a proof for you. Visit Printing Services’ online ordering website.