Athletic gold is a shade of gold that is often used in sports team uniforms and logos. Determining the exact Pantone Matching System (PMS) color for athletic gold can be tricky since there are several similar shades of golden yellow used in sports. Here is a quick overview of some of the most common PMS colors used for athletic gold.
PMS 123
One of the closest PMS colors to athletic gold is PMS 123, also known as PMS Gold 123. This is a bright, vivid yellow shade with a metallic gold undertone. PMS 123 is used for the athletic gold in uniforms and logos for several sports teams including:
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Green Bay Packers
- Oakland Athletics
- LA Kings
PMS 123 gives a bold, intense gold color that really stands out, making it a popular choice for athletic teams. However, it may be slightly too metallic and bright for some applications of athletic gold. It has the following specifications:
| Color | CMYK | RGB | Hex |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMS 123 | 0, 17, 79, 23 | 197, 171, 72 | #C5AB48 |
PMS 124
Another option within the PMS system is PMS 124, also referred to as PMS Gold 124. This shade sits right next to PMS 123 but is slightly less intense and metallic. PMS 124 has a bright golden yellow color.
Some sports teams that use PMS 124 for their athletic gold include:
- San Francisco 49ers
- Boston Bruins
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Washington Football Team
PMS 124 gives a vibrant athletic gold color and may be preferred over PMS 123 in some cases for its slightly softer shade. Here are the color specifications for PMS 124:
| Color | CMYK | RGB | Hex |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMS 124 | 0, 13, 74, 30 | 212, 185, 87 | #D4B957 |
PMS 125
Moving further along the PMS yellow gold color range, PMS 125 is another option for athletic gold tones. Also known as PMS Gold 125, this is a medium yellow-orange shade with golden undertones. PMS 125 strikes a nice balance between vividness and softness.
Sports organizations that use PMS 125 as their athletic gold include:
- Cleveland Browns
- Winnipeg Jets
- Vegas Golden Knights
PMS 125 gives a bright but not overpowering athletic gold look. The specifications for PMS 125 are:
| Color | CMYK | RGB | Hex |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMS 125 | 0, 10, 70, 40 | 229, 202, 108 | #E5CA6C |
PMS 129
For athletic gold colors that need to be a bit more subdued and neutral, PMS 129 is a good option to consider. Known as PMS Gold 129, this shade has a mustard yellow appearance with subtle golden undertones.
Some sports teams with PMS 129 athletic gold colors include:
- St. Louis Blues
- Miami Dolphins
- Calgary Flames
PMS 129 gives an athletic gold that is noticeable but not too bright or distracting. Here are the PMS 129 specifications:
| Color | CMYK | RGB | Hex |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMS 129 | 0, 23, 91, 50 | 213, 171, 56 | #D5AB38 |
PMS 130
On the darker end of the PMS yellow gold family, PMS 130 can also work for an athletic gold color in some cases. Also referred to as PMS Gold 130, this shade has a tarnished gold or bronze appearance.
A few examples of teams using PMS 130 for athletic gold include:
- New Orleans Saints
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Hamilton Tiger-Cats
PMS 130 gives a deeper, muted gold tone for a more subtle athletic look. The PMS 130 color specifications are:
| Color | CMYK | RGB | Hex |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMS 130 | 0, 34, 100, 60 | 179, 141, 35 | #B38D23 |
PMS 7406
In addition to the basic PMS yellow gold range, some other unique PMS colors are used for athletic gold tones. PMS 7406 is one example – this shade has a light yellow tan or beige appearance with subtle warm undertones.
Sports organizations using PMS 7406 as their athletic gold include:
- Los Angeles Lakers
- Grambling State Tigers
PMS 7406 provides an athletic gold that is neutral and subdued rather than bright and showy. The specifications for PMS 7406 are:
| Color | CMYK | RGB | Hex |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMS 7406 | 4, 14, 34, 35 | 167, 146, 115 | #A79273 |
PMS 871
Some athletic gold shades have a deeper bronze characteristic, similar to PMS 871. This rich metallic color works well when a bolder, darker gold tone is needed.
Examples of teams using PMS 871 athletic gold include:
- Minnesota Vikings
- Carolina Panthers
PMS 871 gives an athletic gold that makes a statement. The PMS 871 specifications are:
| Color | CMYK | RGB | Hex |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMS 871 | 35, 65, 91, 42 | 117, 71, 21 | #754715 |
PMS 872
As a color adjacent to PMS 871, PMS 872 is another deep bronze option sometimes used for athletic gold tones. It has a dark tarnished gold or brown appearance.
The Cincinnati Bengals use PMS 872 for their athletic gold coloring. Here are the PMS 872 specifications:
| Color | CMYK | RGB | Hex |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMS 872 | 35, 75, 91, 62 | 83, 56, 21 | #533815 |
Metallic Gold Coated
In addition to solid PMS colors, athletic gold is sometimes given a shiny metallic effect through the addition of metal flake. This reflective and lustrous finish can be layered over PMS colors to give a dynamic, light-catching gold appearance.
Teams like the Vegas Golden Knights and LA Kings use metallic gold coating over their base PMS athletic gold shades. This effect can be achieved through foil stamping, metallic inks, metal leafing, and other methods.
Conclusion
When it comes to athletic gold, there are many PMS options to choose from. Vibrant shades like PMS 123, 124, and 125 give bold, intense gold colors. More muted options like PMS 129 and 130 provide subdued, tarnished gold tones. Unique shades like PMS 7406 and 871 offer unconventional athletic gold hues. Metallic gold coatings can add sheen and sparkle over any base color.
The specific PMS color used for athletic gold depends on the impression the brand wants to make. Brighter golds convey energy and excitement, while darker golds are more luxurious and sophisticated. Considering the overall branding, design, and target audience helps determine which PMS athletic gold is the right fit.