Blood red is a deep, rich shade of red that resembles the color of blood. It’s an important color in design and branding, often used to evoke passion, intensity, and boldness. But with so many shades of red out there, how do you identify the specific Pantone code for true blood red?
As a professional designer or marketer, being able to precisely match colors is critical for maintaining brand consistency across different materials and mediums. This is where Pantone, the leading authority on commercial color reproduction, comes in handy. Pantone provides standardized color matching systems so that designers can accurately communicate and reproduce specific shades.
In this article, we’ll explore what blood red is, what feelings and meanings it evokes, and most importantly, what the exact Pantone code is for achieving this memorable crimson tone. We’ll also look at some examples of famous logos and brands that use blood red to make a bold impact.
What is Blood Red?
Blood red is a very dark and rich shade of red that resembles the color of blood. It sits at the darker end of the red color spectrum, with more blue undertones than warmer reds. The hexadecimal code for blood red is #660000.
As an intense, dramatic color, blood red has powerful symbolism and meaning. It’s most strongly associated with:
– Passion
– Danger
– Excitement
– Energy
– Strength
– Boldness
Throughout history, blood red has had cultural significance representing life, vitality, sacrifice, courage, and war. It’s a color that instantly commands attention, even in small doses.
Blood red is often used in industries where making a bold impression is key. You’ll see it in high-energy brands targeting younger demographics. It’s also popular in the gaming industry, helping create a sense of intensity and drama.
The Meaning and Symbolism of Blood Red
As mentioned, blood red is a color that is rich in meaning. Here are some of the key symbolic associations with blood red:
– Passion and Desire: Blood red is commonly used to represent passion, love, and deep desire. It’s seen as a sensual, romantic color connected to the heart. Red roses are given as a symbol of romantic love.
– Danger and Warning: Blood red also represents danger, aggression, and caution. Red stop signs and warning symbols use the color to trigger alarm and signal a need for caution.
– Life and Vitality: Since blood sustains life in the body, the color also represents vitality, strength, and energy. Interestingly, red is connected to life in many cultures.
– Courage and Sacrifice: The boldness of blood red is associated with courage, valor, and sacrifice throughout history. Knights wore red as they headed into battle.
– Fast Action: Blood red grabs attention and suggests immediate action. It’s frequently used in calls to action to trigger a quick response.
As you can see, context plays a major role in how blood red is perceived. But in general, it remains an intense, energetic color that signals passion, excitement, and boldness.
The History of Blood Red
Red pigments created from plants, minerals, and insects have been used by humans since prehistoric times. Red ochre was among the first known pigments. Ancient cultures like the Egyptians used red extensively, even painting entire tombs red.
The Crusaders in the 12th century wore blood red crosses when heading to battle, establishing red as a color associated with courage and sacrifice. Soldiers continued wearing red coats up through the British Redcoats, making them easier to spot through battlefield smoke.
In 18th century France, red was adopted as the color of the revolution and radical republicanism. It came to symbolize revolt against the aristocracy.
While red has always been an emotionally-charged color, blood red didn’t emerge as its own distinct shade until the 19th century. With industrialization, synthetic pigments allowed dyers to achieve much more precise, saturated hues. This birthed deep crimson reds like blood red.
As color theory and matching systems developed in the 1900s, blood red took on more specific technical identities. This brings us to the creation of Pantone and other standardized color guides.
What is Pantone?
Pantone is a proprietary color matching system that allows designers and manufacturers to accurately specify, match, and control colors across materials and finishes. The Pantone Matching System was created in 1963 to solve the problem of inconsistent color reproduction in the printing industry.
Today, Pantone provides multiple color matching systems and standards used throughout the design world. This includes digital and print color formats like Pantone Color Matching System (PMS), Pantone Color Bridge, Pantone Goe, and Pantone Plus.
Pantone color guides are used as a universal language so that any two designers can specify and match the exact same shade, no matter what material or process is used to produce it. The system defines specific CMYK, RGB, and/or LAB values for each of its colors. This removes ambiguity and improves consistency.
For example, saying “blood red” could be interpreted many ways. But specifying “PMS 485” or “Pantone 485 C” defines that precise blood red tone beyond any doubt.
Pantone sells physical color guides with printed swatches of its hundreds of colors, arranged by hue and shade. Many designers and print shops have these guides on hand to ensure accurate matching. Pantone also offers digital color libraries and tools for design software.
The Pantone Code for Blood Red
Within Pantone’s various color matching systems, there are a couple specific codes used to identify what is considered a true “blood red”:
– PMS 485
– Pantone 485 C
PMS 485 is the original blood red shade within the Pantone Matching System (PMS). Part of the Pantone solid coated formula guide, PMS 485 is a matte, opaque color.
Pantone 485 C is the closely matching code for blood red in the updated Pantone Color Bridge guide. The “C” indicates it is from the coated guide.
Both PMS 485 and Pantone 485 C are deep, dramatic reds with subtle blue undertones. They are essentially the same blood red, with Pantone 485 C being the most up-to-date reference.
Here are the key specs for Pantone 485 C:
Color Model Specifications:
– CMYK: 0, 100, 100, 18
– RGB: 170, 0, 0
– HEX: #AA0000
Reference Library: Pantone Color Bridge Coated
Category: reds
So in summary, when you want to accurately reproduce the color of blood in print or digital design, specifying Pantone 485 C will provide the precise blood redmatch. Referencing PMS 485 may be acceptable, but Pantone 485 C is today’s official blood red code.
Blood Red Logo Examples
Many major brands have incorporated blood red into their logo and visual identity, taking advantage of its bold, passionate qualities:
YouTube: The iconic YouTube logo uses a rich blood red for its play button and the word “Tube”. This captures the energy and vigor of the video platform.
Red Bull: The Red Bull logo doubles down on blood red, using it for both the bull icon and bold red branding. This adrenaline-fueled color aligns with its high energy drink.
Netflix: Netflix uses blood red in its logo to reflect the excitement and passion of entertainment. The vibrant red really pops against the black backdrop.
CNN: CNN combines blood red and white to create high contrast and visibility. The red projects the intensity of breaking news and journalism.
Virgin: Richard Branson’s Virgin brand often uses red in logos to suggest innovation, disruption, and bold choices. The Virgin Atlantic logo paints a plane blood red.
Lego: Lego uses classic blood red in logos and branding to capture the imagination and creativity enabled by its toys.
| Brand | Industry | Use of Blood Red |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube | Video platform | Play button and word “Tube” |
| Red Bull | Energy drinks | Bull icon and brand name |
| Netflix | Entertainment | Logo background |
| CNN | News | Logo text |
| Virgin | Conglomerate | Airline logo |
| Lego | Toys | Logo and branding |
Alternatives to Blood Red
While Pantone 485 C is considered the true standard for blood red, there are a few other reds that come quite close:
– Pantone Warm Red C: Slightly more orange-leaning than blood red.
– Pantone 1949 C: Slightly darker, with more black mixed in.
– Pantone 7622 C: Similar vibrancy as blood red, but a tad lighter.
– Pantone 200 C: A pink-based red that resembles lighter blood shades.
The colors above all share similarities with blood red, but Pantone 485 C remains the purest match. Alternatives may be chosen if a slightly warmer