How to use color

Using our colors consistently helps create a consistent and recognizable brand across the world. Use only the precise hues and tones defined here. Note that we have not assigned different colors to specific divisions or departments.
Our color palette
The Bayer color palette consists of 12 colors plus white. The 12 colors can be split into three groups: blues, greens and purples. Each color is expressed by four hues; bright, core, mid and dark. None of the colors may exceed 80% opacity or be less than 20%. Dark colors can for example be used for backgrounds or for text. (Body text is usually set in dark blue.) Bright tones can also be used for smaller background areas and text where appropriate.
The lighter tints of the colors are primarily used to support or complement the bright and dark tones. Color can be applied at 100% opacity when used as block color or from 100% to 30% opacity when placed on photos.
We do not recommend entirely covering a photo with an opaque area or gradient as this impairs the photo’s original brightness and might create a murky impression. For this reason, it is very important that gradients are only used deliberately and purposefully.



White space
White is an essential element of our brand. In compositions and layouts, the deliberate, generous use of white space provides a sense of calm and confidence and a canvas against which the other brand colors have greater impact.
Pantone |
not applicable |
RGB |
255/255/255 |
HEX |
FFFFFF |
CMYK |
0/0/0/0 |
Color values
Dark hues
Pantone |
2380C |
RAL |
5011 |
RGB |
16/56/79 |
HEX |
10384F |
CMYK |
80/33/0 /80 |
Pantone |
553C |
RAL |
160 30 15 |
RGB |
0/68/34 |
HEX |
004422 |
CMYK |
82/30/65 /76 |
Pantone |
518C |
RAL |
330 20 20 |
RGB |
68/50/71 |
HEX |
443247 |
CMYK |
55/88/32 /63 |
Mid hues
Pantone |
2152C |
RAL |
240 40 30 |
RGB |
0/97/127 |
HEX |
00617F |
CMYK |
84/32/13 /22 |
Pantone |
7742C |
RAL |
6001 |
RGB |
43/102/54 |
HEX |
2B6636 |
CMYK |
71/5/92 /45 |
Pantone |
5135C |
RAL |
4001 |
RGB |
98/73/99 |
HEX |
624963 |
CMYK |
36/68/24 /31 |
Core hues
Pantone |
2192C |
RAL |
5012 |
RGB |
0/145/223 |
HEX |
0091DF |
CMYK |
93/17/6 /0 |
Pantone |
376C |
RAL |
120 70 75 |
RGB |
102/181/18 |
HEX |
66B512 |
CMYK |
57/0/100 /0 |
Pantone |
1925C |
RAL |
010 40 53 |
RGB |
211/15/75 |
HEX |
D30F4B |
CMYK |
0/100/55 /0 |
Bright hues
Pantone |
298C |
RAL |
240 70 30 |
RGB |
0/188/255 |
HEX |
00BCFF |
CMYK |
71/0/0 /0 |
Pantone |
2299C |
RAL |
110 80 70 |
RGB |
137/211/41 |
HEX |
89D329 |
CMYK |
40/0/100 /0 |
Pantone |
1785C |
RAL |
3018 |
RGB |
255/49/98 |
HEX |
FF3162 |
CMYK |
0/88/62 /0 |
On screen color alternatives
There are alternative versions of some colors in our palette, exclusively for use in html text on screen. This is to ensure sufficient contrast for legibility. No tints of these colours should be used.
HEX |
0075A6 |
RGB |
0/117 /166 |
HEX |
108000 |
RGB |
16/128 /0 |
HEX |
6A4C72 |
RGB |
106/76 /114 |
HEX |
DE0043 |
RGB |
222/0 /67 |
Color gradients
Color gradients are also used in combination with the color palette. The blends are always made using the same tones (i.e. blue to blue, green to green, purple to purple). Never blue to green or blue to purple. The blends can be made by blending a dark color to a mid color, a mid to a core color, a core color to a bright color. The blends should always only jump one step, never two or more (i.e. dark to bright).
Blue gradients
Green gradients
Purple gradients
-
Gradients can be used to complement the flat colors or used on their own.
-
Gradients can be applied at 100% opacity when used as block color or either at 100% or 90% opacity when placed on photography.
-
When creating narrow designs such as newsletter headers, the gradation angle can change from vertical to horizontal. (This should be only applied in exceptional circumstances.)
-
Consider production capabilities and legibility when deciding whether or not to use a gradient as opposed to a flat color.
Color gradient examples
The examples below show how to combine flat colors and gradients.









Treatments to avoid
Avoid using our gradients in these ways.






How it looks in practice
Preset color libraries are available for professional design applications. To load the libraries, follow these instructions:
-
Color Palette > Menu Command >
Open Color Library > Menu Command > Different Library ... -
Open target directory > Select corresponding “.ase” and load file.
The selected colors are now available in the color palette.
By using a pre-mixed library color, you ensure that the printer can match the formula precisely.
Instructions on how to integrate the Bayer CD colors into Office 2010 documents please find here.
If you have any further questions about this or any other section of Bayer Identity Net, please contact: