Carolina blue is the official school color of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It is a shade of blue that was specially formulated for use by the university. Determining the CMYK values for Carolina blue allows it to be accurately reproduced in print materials.
What is CMYK?
CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black). These are the four main ink colors used in print production. By adjusting the percentages of each ink, millions of colors can be created. CMYK is known as a subtractive color model, because the inks subtract wavelengths of light to create the desired color.
CMYK values are represented by four numbers between 0-100% for each ink. For example, a CMYK of 50, 20, 0, 0 would mean 50% cyan, 20% magenta, 0% yellow, and 0% black. The higher the percentages, the more saturated the resulting color will be.
Purpose of Using CMYK for Carolina Blue
When reproducing an exact color like Carolina blue for printed materials, it’s important to have the correct CMYK values. This ensures the color will be consistent across different printers and printing presses. Some examples where having the official CMYK values for Carolina blue is vital include:
- University brochures, pamphlets, stationery
- Promotional items like t-shirts, hats, banners
- Athletic gear and uniforms
- Merchandise and apparel
- Signage around campus
Using the correct CMYK build will maintain brand consistency and allow Carolina blue to stand out as the university’s distinctive color. Printing the color inaccurately could lead to variances from the desired shade of blue.
Carolina Blue RGB Values
While CMYK is used for print production, the RGB color model is used for onscreen graphics and digital displays. Before determining the CMYK for Carolina blue, it’s important to understand the RGB values that create the digital version of the color.
The official RGB values for Carolina blue are:
- R (Red): 0
- G (Green): 102
- B (Blue): 153
Hex code: #006699
These precise RGB values allow Carolina blue to be displayed digitally on websites, video boards, TV broadcasts, and other mediums. The hex code makes it easy to incorporate the color into HTML, CSS, design programs, and more.
Calculating the CMYK for Carolina Blue
To calculate the CMYK that best reproduces Carolina blue, we start with the official RGB values above. Then, using color conversion formulas, the RGB is translated into percentages of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink.
When converting from RGB to CMYK, the formulas are:
- Cyan = 1 – Red
- Magenta = 1 – Green
- Yellow = 1 – Blue
Black is calculated last based on the lowest ink percentage. This ensures a neutral gray balance in the final color.
Applying this to Carolina blue RGB (0, 102, 153), we get:
- Cyan: 1 – 0 = 100%
- Magenta: 1 – 0.102 = 0%
- Yellow: 1 – 0.153 = 85%
Black is 0% since cyan is 100%.
Therefore, the CMYK build for Carolina blue is:
Cyan: 100% Magenta: 0% Yellow: 85% Black: 0%
Visualizing Carolina Blue in CMYK
To help visualize how the CMYK percentages mix to create Carolina blue, here is a representation showing the amounts of each ink:
| Cyan 100% |
| Yellow 85% |
With 100% cyan and 85% yellow, the green from the overlaid colors produces the signature Carolina blue tone.
Matching Carolina Blue in CMYK
To match Carolina blue as closely as possible with CMYK inks, it’s best to use a Pantone swatch book. Pantone provides pre-formulated spot colors for accurate color reproduction. This takes the guesswork out of trying to manually match a color.
The Pantone Matching System spot color for Carolina blue is Pantone 542 C. This swatch provides the closest match to Carolina blue that can be achieved with CMYK process inks. Using Pantone 542 C is recommended for maximum accuracy.
If a Pantone swatch book is unavailable, the CMYK breakdown of 100C, 0M, 85Y, 0K outlined earlier is the next best option. This will allow printers and designers to mix the Carolina blue color with a high degree of precision.
Considerations for Reproducing Carolina Blue
When reproducing Carolina blue in printed materials, there are some considerations to achieve optimal results:
- Use the official Pantone formula guide for the most accurate color match
- Ensure ink density and quality – poor ink can distort the shade
- Match paper color – Carolina blue will appear different on white vs. cream paper
- Use color proofs – test prints before full production runs
- Check for metamerism – color variance under different light sources
- Adjust for 4-color process printing – convert Pantone formula to CMYK
Testing color proofs under the actual lighting conditions the final piece will be viewed in is also recommended. This will highlight any subtle variations from the true Carolina blue color.
Conclusion
Reproducing Carolina blue accurately is important for maintaining brand identity across University of North Carolina printed materials. By using the CMYK values of 100% cyan, 0% magenta, 85% yellow, and 0% black, the signature color can be matched precisely.
Converting the RGB digital color to CMYK allows the Carolina blue tone to be printed correctly. Additionally, referring to the official Pantone 542 C swatch ensures the highest level of color accuracy. Keeping these specifications in mind will result in accurate and consistent reproduction of the university’s beloved Carolina blue.